David Hughes - Swoosh

David Hughes - Basses, keyboards, programming:
John DePatie, Brian Price - Guitar
Dave Anderson - Drums
Andy Suzuki, Charles Huntley - Saxophone
Andy Suzuki - Flute

Special Guests:

David Benoit, Greg Mathiesen - Piano
Wilton Felder – Saxophone
Allen Hinds - Guitar

ABZ Music Inc

Quotes:

"...terrific melodies, funky bass lines, and great horns which take you through an energetic journey"

"...Swoosh is a slam dunk! David Hughes is a name that we all need to remember"

- Bonnie Schendell/Smoothviews.com


"...Hughes delivers funk-laden grooves, guitar-like chordal voicings, and many horn-influenced solos. Although Hughes' virtuostic ability as a bass player is completely apparent throughout this recording, it never obscures the emotionally evocative experience he is attempting to convey to the listener."

"Hughes proves that he is a premier bassist who definitely deserves wider acknowledgment."

-International Institute of Bassists


"...the Crusaders' standard "Always There" was the set's standout, with six-string electric bassist David Hughes bringing guitar sensibilities into the chords as he went beyond providing mere foundation."

-Philadelphia Inquirer


"...His six-string instrument definitely gives him the room to redefine the jazz fusion genre. ..features the stellar guest appearances of David Benoit, Wilton Felder, Greg Mathieson and Allen Hinds."

-AllaboutJazz


"...jazz fusion has seldom ever been more expressive, more engaging and personable...David Hughes' album is one to be excited about."

-CD baby


"...David Benoit hasn't changed the style of his piano playing. So this tune could be right off his album "Fuzzy Logic."...Millertime shows David in the role of a deserving Marcus-Miller-successor. Very convincing. A top notch bass player."

- SmoothJazz.de


(Translated from Swedish)

"...Hughes has a very beautiful tone and is a skilful soloist both technically and melodically, in other words, his playing reveals great competence."

- Patrik Selfors/Folkbladet


The title track of David Hughes’ debut CD release begins with the escalating sound of an arctic windstorm, and it is like a windstorm this Scandinavian virtuoso bassist and talented composer will sweep through the music world. His self-produced album offers some delightfully melodic tunes and showcases how beautiful the sound of the bass guitar can be.

Although his list of recording and performance credits is impressive, from performances with Chaka Khan, Melissa Etheridge, David Benoit, Everette Harp and Ronnie Laws to tours and recordings with the legendary Jazz Crusaders, Ray Manzarek of The Doors and Asian superstar Tanya Chua, Swoosh is his first release as a leader and his first serious attempt to document his musical compositions.

“Ever since I was old enough to reach the keys on our family’s piano, I’ve been writing music,” Hughes recounts. ”When I discovered the Beatles, music took on a new meaning and I became interested in playing the bass and write songs.” Perhaps some of the melodies on Swoosh can be traced to the British group’s influence, but definitely to the sometimes melancholic tone of Swedish folk music.” One of the songs, Clearing, is my musical painting of a Swedish forest clearing on a sunny spring morning.” Hughes notes.

Hughes got his musical foundation in the Swedish Kommunala Musikskolan, a music school operated by the city which offers instrumental instruction and ensemble classes. He studied violin, viola, string bass and bass guitar and performed in a number of ensembles ranging from Big Band to Symphony Orchestra. “Sweden was a terrific place to grow up, arts are well supported and I think it shows in the country’s successful music export,” ponders Hughes.

It was as a student at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm that Hughes began to develop his sound. A leader of several jazz and fusion groups, he experimented with musical influences such as Bebop Jazz, Classical Baroque, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny and Marcus Miller. He cites the college’s fertile creative environment as one of the most important factors of his musical development.

After arriving in Los Angeles in 1994 and graduating with highest honors from Musicians Institute, he soon joined the school’s faculty. A great musical leap came when he was approached by Wayne Henderson of the Jazz Crusaders, and invited to join the band. The group’s performances around the world stimulated Hughes to develop new musical concepts and earned him considerable recognition. “Wilton Felder, saxophonist and founding member of the group, is also a great bassist. He can be very specific about what he wants from the bassist and he was a great inspiration,” Hughes recalls. “I am so thrilled to have his sax performance on Sunshine.”

As for the future, Hughes looks forward to touring in support of Swoosh and finding new audiences in foreign markets. The album has been featured by CDbaby.com, one of the largest distributors of independent music and is available through Apple’s iTunes. “I want to bring an emotional experience to the listeners and make their lives more enjoyable,” notes Hughes. From the sound of it, life is getting better at record stores near you.