Michael Janisch
Biography Michael Janisch
Michael Janisch
has established himself as a tireless creative force across the developing international spheres of contemporary improvised and experimental music. Based in London (originally from the USA), he successfully traverses this creative topography as a first-call electric & double bassist, MOBO-Award nominated solo artist, producer, and owner of Whirlwind Recordings, which has become one of the world’s premier indie labels of the last decade. Janisch’s previous albums have been nominated for a MOBO, Parliamentary and Urban Music Awards while getting spins on Gilles Peterson, NPR, WDR, WBGO, BBC 2, 3 & 6, and JazzFM Radio Shows as well as coverage in Jazzwise Magazine, The NY Times & Guardian and beyond to international acclaim. His forthcoming solo album Worlds Collide (PRE ORDER HERE CD/DL/VINYL release date: September 6, 2019) is an electro-acoustic album of original material recorded at Abbey Road Studios, combining contemporary jazz heavily influenced by both the London/New York scenes alongside free improvisations and soaring melodies over multi-metered grooves paying hommage to artists such as Feli Kuti & Afro-Beat and the electronic music pioneer Aphex Twin. His sixth album as a solo artist, Worlds Collide features the immense talents of guitarist Rez Abbasi, alto saxophonist John O’Gallagher, trumpeter Jason Palmer and drummer Clarence Penn.
As a bassist Janisch is known for his versatility, full-toned sounds and passion for playing time and groove with authenticity and dedication, no matter the context. A keen improviser, he has been described as “virtuosic and emphatic” (The Guardian) and Bass Musician Magazine asserts “Janisch is one of the few bass players out there who plays both electric and upright with equal facility, passion and musicality.”
Since the formation of his label Whirlwind Recordings in January of 2010, Michael has become an in demand producer with over 130 credited sessions to date. As a seasoned solo performer, session musician, composer and arranger, bandleader and record label owner who understands both the artistic and business elements of releasing music in today’s world, he has become a sought after producer for bringing a unique set of skills to any project.
