SCOTT COLLEY

Scott Colley, the bassist of choice for such jazz legends as Herbie Hancock, Jim Hall, Andrew Hill, and Michael Brecker. His remarkably empathetic skills, strong melodic sense and improvisational abilities have served him well in groups led by colleagues Chris Potter, Adam Rogers, Brian Blade, David Binney, and Kenny Werner. But it is as a composer and bandleader in his own right that Colley has flourished in recent years, as evidenced by a string of recordings, beginning with his 1996 debut Portable Universe, (Freelance) and continuing with 1997's This Place (SteepleChase), 1998's Subliminal (Criss Cross), 2000’s The Magic Line (Arabesque) 2002’s Initial Wisdom (Palmetto), 2007’s Architect of the Silent Moment (CAM jazz), and the 2010-release, Empire (CAM jazz) Appearing on more than 200 albums to date. He has worked with a variety of musicians from guitarists Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny and Adam Rogers; saxophonists Michael Brecker, Chris Potter and Clifford Jordan; pianists Herbie Hancock, Kenny Werner, Edward Simon; and drummers Brian Blade, Antonio Sanchez, Bill Stewart and Roy Haynes. Born on November 24, 1963. Scott is currently living in New York. He began studying bass at age 11. At 13, he began studying with bassist Monty Budwig. He attended Eagle Rock High School in Los Angeles, where he studied under John Rinaldo, renowned director of music at the school. After graduating high school he was granted a full scholarship to the California Institute for the Arts, where he focused on composition and jazz studies while also studying privately with Charlie Haden and classical bassist Fred Tinsley(of the Los Angeles Philharmonic). In 1986, he began touring and recording with jazz vocal legend Carmen McRae. In 1988 he graduated Cal Arts with a Bachelor of Music degree. -1988: Moved to New York City. -1988 to 1989: He performed in U.S. and European tours with Carmen McRae; Dizzy Gillespie; and Clifford Jordan. -1990 to 1995: Bands included Jim Hall, John Scofield, Joe Henderson and Art Farmer. -1996 to 1998: His work included touring with a group led by Joe Lovano and Jim Hall, Tours with Toots Thielemans; Bobby Hutcherson; and Bob Berg; extensive touring with Andrew Hill's "Another Point of Departure" sextet. -2000-2004: For five years Colley toured extensively as a member of Herbie Hancock’s working trio and two separate quartets (one featuring saxophonist Gary Thomas, the other featuring vibist Bobby Hutcherson) at concerts around the world. Hancock’s trio has also performed in concert engagements with symphonic orchestras throughout the United States. During that time he also tour extensively with the Andrew Hill trio and sextet, and the Chris Potter Quartet. -2005-2007: Extensive touring with “Directions in Music”, a collaboration with Micheal Brecker, Herbie Hancock, and Terri Lyne Carrington; Trio concerts with Pat Metheny; Tours with Jim Hall; Teaching residencies at The Banff Center, Virginia Commonweath University, and Vallekilde Denmark, European and U.S. tours with Chris Potter’s Quartet; concerts with Chris Potter and Antonio Sanchez; U.S and European tours with his own trio and quartet. -2006-07: Extensive touring with his own quartet and trio. Recordings include projects with Chris Potter; Luciana Souza; Abbey Lincoln; Adam Rogers; Donny McCaslin; 2 recordings with Kenny Werner; and his own release Archetect of the Silent Moment(featuring: Ralph Alessi, David Binney, Craig Taborn, Jason Moran, Adam Rogers, Gregoire Maret, and Antonio Sanchez.) -2008-to Present: During the last few years he is touring with his quartet and trio in the US, Europe and South America. Also touring with Edward Simon and Brian Blade; Chris Potter’s Underground; The Antonio Sanchez Quartet; Dave Douglas’ “Magic Circle”; a quartet with David Binney, Craig Taborn and Brian Blade; The Kenny Werner Quintet. Teaching residencies in the U.S. and Europe, and is currently a faculty member of SUNY Purchase College. In the last few months, Scott has recorded CD’s with The New Gary Burton Quartet; also a recording with The John Scofield Quartet, both recordings to be released in summer 2011; Scott will be touring with both groups extensively in 2011; as well as with his own trio (which includes Chris Potter and Antonio Sanchez) Scott’s new recording Empire was released worldwide in September 2010 on the CAM label, the recording features all original compositions with Bill Fresell, Ralph Alessi, Brian Blade and Craig Taborn. For Current Information; to purchase recordings; view tour dates: www.scottcolley.com