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The Bates Update

“Hello all you boys and girls. I’d like to take you to the inside world. It’s quite an irregular place to be. But never fear you’re safe with me. Well, maybe.” – from Frizzle Fry by Les Claypool / Primus This will be the last Bates update in this form. Starting with the next mailing…

This is a great, but grim, article on the economic state of being an artist: http://www.salon.com/2012/04/22/no_sympathy_for_the_creative_class/ My friend Jeremy Walker is also wrestling with some big questions regarding his path: http://www.mnartists.org/article.do?rid=323537 It got me thinking about what my freelancing life can be like sometimes. The last two months have possibly been the busiest and most…

http://www.bebopified.com/2012/10/ari-hoenig-bill-carrothers-and-chris.html When music is played with people of integrity and passion for the art of sound, and it’s subtle and often fickle and fleeting moments of purity, then you have achieved the ultimate musical truth – in the moment only the moment is true. Being in the NOW, present and accepting of all things as…

A Love Electric tour highlights

9/27: I’ve been out here on the road for the last 9 days and I’ll be getting home in 3! Some really great music has been played and new friends have been made. This time around we are touring with a really great post-rock band from Tulsa called Panda Resistance. Panda reminds me of many…

I am pleased to announce that the debut album ‘New Hope’ from Chris Bates’ Red 5 is available worldwide today, Tuesday Sept 18th! If you are living in the Minneapolis / St Paul area you can pick up your very own copy at all the Electric Fetus and Cheapo locations. You can also go to Amazon or itunes…

Update: WOW. It’s finally here. After many months of working and waiting it’s all happening this weekend. I’m releasing my debut CD as a leader and my band Chris Bates’ Red 5 will be throwing down at the Artists Quarter. We’ll be taking you on a musical journey and I would love to see you…

Here is an interview about Red 5 by Pamela Espeland. She writes for Mn Post and is one of the biggest advocates for the creative music community in Mpls / St Paul. Please click thru to her website for this interview. http://www.bebopified.com/2012/09/bassist-and-composer-chris-bates-comes.html

Itʼs been a solid decade since I last played The 7th St. Entry. I remember a couple of shows there with my friend John Devine & Imp Ork and the 1st set opening slot (aka -lonely town) for the first?! Soul Coughing show in Minneapolis circa ʼFeb 95!? Iʼve loved them ever since! Good times.…

“Chris Bates ‘Good Vibes Trio’ - Over the past few years, Bates has been on fire, playing in multiple bands, showing up on MPR podcasts, emerging as a leader and making two exceptional albums: 2012's ‘Chris Bates' Red 5: New Hope’ and now this. - Pamela Espeland - MinnPost

“With Red 5, Bates puts the bass in a new light.” – David Cazares, State Of The Arts

“…bassist Chris Bates’ album “New Hope” stands out like the Hope diamond among this year’s local CD gems.” -Tom Surowicz - Star Tribune

“New Hope is a stunning nine-song collection charged with emotion and a heartfelt ambition to let the music be fulfilling in and of itself.” - Natalie Gallagher - City Pages

“Speaking of Bates, he proves his vitality on the murky “Chance, Love, Logic” with his urgent lines pushing the ensemble…” - Jay Collins - Cadence Magazine

“‘Let’ starts with a pseudo-classical melody showcasing Chris Bates’ beautiful arco bow work” - Return of Slide Huxtable

“…on Kelly Rossum’s ‘Line’ bassist Chris Bates plays a critical role in holding together the loose limbed sound of the ensemble; his sound is elastic and spacious, present but not obtrusive. - Jeff Dayton-Johnson - All About Jazz

“The Bates Brothers are endowed not merely with well-honed chops but with an exquisite sensitivity to one another’s labors that could only come from living and playing together for twelve or more years. This is definitely not a recording that could have been made by a quickly assembled cast of all stars.” - Samuel Chell - All About Jazz

“Chris Bates’ ‘Solid Liquid’ is a highlight of the album, combing expressive Ellington voicings in the winds with bass and percussion underpinnings akin to the support the Maestro once received from the likes of Blanton and Greer.” - JazzTimes

“Then the wonderful quartet ‘How Birds Work’… even when Chris is standing still, he’s not standing still, he’s up on the balls of his feet, swaying, smiling, nodding his head, dancing with his bass.” – MPLS/St Paul Magazine

Chris Bates
3054 Boone Ave N
New Hope, MN 55427 USA

612-306-6781
[email protected]

Chris Bates

The Bates Update

11 in 9

Ari Bill

A Love Electric tour highlights

Worldwide! Chris Bates’ Red 5 ‘New Hope’ Album Release!

CD RELEASE PARTY!

Chris Bates’ Red 5 ‘New Hope’ gets some press.

A decade since 7th St. Entry