Marc Johnson
Masterclass Artist
Marc Johnson is a world-renowned bassist, composer, and producer whose illustrious career has seen him perform and record with many of the world’s most acclaimed jazz musicians including Bill Evans and Stan Getz.
Marc Johnson’s formal musical training started at North Texas State University and by age 19 was playing for the Fort Worth Symphony. At just age of just 25, he joined the Bill Evans Trio in what would be Evans’ last lineup, following in the footsteps of pioneering bassists Scott LaFaro, Gary Peacock, Chuck Israels and Eddie Gomez. Recordings from this period include the beloved The Paris Concert Vol. 1 and 2 which saw the Bill Evans Trio at the height of their creative powers.
After the Bill Evan’s passing in 1980, Marc Johnson went on to play and record with many other giants of the jazz world, including Michael Brecker, Bob Brookmeyer, Gary Burton, Jack DeJohnette, Eliane Elias, Peter Erskine, Bill Frisell, Stan Getz, Joe Lovano, Lyle Mays, Pat Metheny, Ben Monder, Paul Motian, Enrico Pieranunzi, and Wolfgang Muthspiel, among others.
As band leader, Marc Johnson also led his own bands, firstly quartet Bass Desires alongside guitar legends Bill Frisell and John Scofield with drumming power house Peter Erskine. Two albums released with ECM in the 1980s, Bass Desires and Second Sight received international recognition. Another critically acclaimed recording was Shades of Jade released in 2005 via ECM, which features pianist, Eliane Elias, saxophonist Joe Lovano, and guitarist John Scofield.
As a producer, Marc Johnson has won two Grammy awards for co-producing Eliane Elias’ albums Made in Brazil (2016) and Dance of Time (2017) (Concord Records). His latest ECM solo album, Overpass (2021), was recorded in Brazil in 2018 and was released to world-wide acclaim.
In 2022 Marc was featured in an in-depth interview series presented by DDB founder, Geoff Chalmers. The Marc Johnson Masterclass offers a unique insight into Marc’s signature bass techniques and unique musical approach.
“Bill (Evans) is all through my life in one shape or form or another. It’s a spiritual connection that really galvanized and focused my path in life and in music.”
Hear Marc in action with the bill evans trio
The Marc Johnson Masterclass
The Marc Johnson Masterclass is an in-depth video interview hosted by DDB Founder, Geoff Chalmers. Over three hours of discussion, they unpack the music and techniques of the legendary jazz double bassist, Marc Johnson. They explore a range of topics, including what Marc learnt from his tenure with the final Bill Evan's trio and many other legendary jazz artists, double bass technique, improvisation, phrasing, rhythm, all aspects of bass gear, and more.
If you are a fan of Marc Johnson's music you will love this in-depth profile into his unique approach to the double bass!