Two years after the release of his internationally acclaimed solo debut, No Sweat, Alchemy Records has released Bent, the latest offering from the visionary composer and bassist, Gary Willis.

After almost fifteen years of co-leading Tribal Tech with guitarist Scott Henderson, and their eight critically acclaimed CDs (the ninth, Thick, will be released in January 1999), Willis launched his solo career with the September 1996 release of No Sweat, featuring incredible performances by Dennis Chambers on drums, Scott Kinsey on keyboards, and Steve Tavaglione on woodwinds and EWI. For Bent, in addition to Chambers, Kinsey and Tavaglione, Willis adds the fiery tenor of Bob Berg and long time Tribal Tech cohort/drummer Kirk Covington. Bent lives up to its title and takes the "rules" of jazz, through dynamic compositions and rhythm-defying improv, and bends reality to fit the talent of easily the most musically monsterous lineup on the scene today. Despite its all-star cast, any listener expecting the self-indulgent "chop fest", is instead treated to great musicians playing tastefully, musically, and unselfishly.

The fans Willis, has won through the years, playing with musicians like Wayne Shorter, Allan Holdsworth, Hubert Laws, Joe Diorio, Robben Ford, and Wayne Johnson, not to mention Tribal Tech, will be amazed yet again by the bassit that Bass Player magazine referred to as "one of the most vital bass voices of the 90¼s". UK¼s Bassist magazine called Willis "one of the finest (bass players) on the planet".

Willis, who currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a Texas native. He studied composition and improvisation as part of the legendary jazz program at North Texas State University. It was there that he switched to bass after years of guitar and bass study. After moving to Los Angeles in '82 he became a course leader at Musicians Institute in Hollywood and taught at the prestigious California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California. In 1993, Warner publications released "Bass Lessons with the Greats", which includes a chapter on Willis' unique approach to improvisation. His hour-long educational video entitled "Progressive Bassics" features discussion on his unconventional technical and fingerboard harmony concepts. Hal Leonard Publications recently published his "Fingerboard Harmony for Bass". In a review of "Fingerboard Harmony", Bass Player called Willis a "modern master". Adding to the Willis publishing catalog. Hal Leonard Publications offered "The Gary Willis Collection" to the public earlier this year. The book features 11 transcriptions of original Willis tunes, including the contemporary classic "The Necessary Blonde", which is one of two compositions also included in Sher Music's The New Real Book - Volume Two. January '99 will mark the Hal Leonard release of "Ultimate Ear Training for Guitar and Bass".

One of the most exciting things on Willis' current agenda is plans for an early 1999 release of the "Gary Willis Signature Bass (fretted and fretless)", by Ibanez Guitars. In development for well over a year, the Willis Bass will offer bassists the chance to purchase the bass built to Willis' exciting specifications, and an opportunity to emulate the "Willis sound". His website, garywillis.com features information on Willis, the books, the CDs, the bass, web lessons and even his dogs.

With his latest release, Willis proves once more that the depth and range of his musical abilities defy category and definition, yet for those who would want to try, it would be best if they would simply get Bent.

November 98

DISCOGRAPHY

as a leader

No Sweat - Alchemy 1996

Bent - Alchemy 1998

as co-leader (S.Henderson/G.Willis Tribal Tech)

Thick - EFA/Escapade 1999

Reality Check - Bluemoon 1995

Primal Tracks - Bluemoon 1994

Face First - Bluemoon 1993

Illicit - Bluemoon 1992

Tribal Tech - Relativity 1991

Nomad - Relativity 1990

Dr. Hee - Passport 1987

Spears - Passport 1985

with others

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH

None Too Soon - Restless 1996

Come Together - NYC 1993

Metal Fatigue - Enigma 1985

WAYNE SHORTER

Phantom Navigator - Columbia 1987

HUBERT LAWS

My Time Will Come - MusicMasters 1993

JOE DIORIO/ROBBEN FORD

Minor Elegance - MGI 1990

WAYNE JOHNSON TRIO

Keeping the Dream Alive - MoJazz 1993

BRETT GARSED/T.J. HELMERICH

Exempt - Legato 1994

Quid Pro Quo - Legato 1992

JEFF RICHMAN

The Way In - MGI 1991

People Like Us - MGI 1989

Hymalaya - Passport 1985

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Bass Player's 5th Anniversary Concert