2023
A Place for Bass – Chamber Jazz Duets
Greg Chako featuring Mason Daugherty: all-original chamber jazz duets with the bass on equal footing with the guitar.
US$25 including shipping within the continental U.S.
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About the album
Greg Chako is a very skilled jazz guitarist and composer who performs music in his own individual voice with consistent creativity. But because he has spent long periods living overseas, he is not as well-known as his talents deserve. The release of his latest album, A Place For Bass – Chamber Jazz Duets should help improve the situation. The collaborations with bassist Mason Daugherty, which feature the duo operating as equals, is the latest accomplishment in his very productive career.
A Place For Bass originated when Greg Chako realized that “I’ve recorded duos with piano and voice but I’ve never written anything specifically for the bass. That was ironic because bass-guitar duos are the most common format for gigs. Because I’m less interested in virtuous guitar playing than in composing songs that are close to my heart, for this album I put the bass on top.” The bass professor from the University of Cincinnati recommended Mason Daugherty and Greg knew within a couple of songs that the brilliant young bassist would be perfect for the project.
While there have been some notable guitar-bass recordings in the past, most notably by the teams of Jim Hall & Ron Carter and Joe Pass & Niels-Henning Orsted Pederson, A Place For Bass is quite a bit different due to the equal roles played by the two musicians (Daugherty is never just an accompanist) and Greg Chako’s intricate arrangements and compositions. A Place For Bass has an impressive amount of variety including a jazz waltz, a major blues, a minor blues, some more contemporary-sounding songs, numbers inspired by Bach and Brazilian music, and a couple of contrafacts (originals utilizing the chord changes but not the melody of standards). It is also filled with unpredictable moments that add to the music’s quiet excitement.
While Chako thinks of himself more as a composer than as a guitarist, both of his talents are very much in evidence throughout A Place For Bass, a subtle and quietly inventive work that grows in interest with each listen.
– Scott Yanow
Listen
Track list
- 01As A Button5:12
- 02Bass-Ic' Instinct7:05
- 03Bass Up Front4:53
- 04Three-Quarter Bass5:41
- 05Bass-In' Street Blues5:07
- 06Base Mode5:08
- 07Base Time4:06
- 08Bassa-Nova4:47
- 09Bach To Bass4:22
- 10Bass For Brownie6:07
- 11First Bass5:52
One-Sheet
Video
As A Button
Greg Chako ft. Mason Daugherty · “As A Button” (Mint 400 Records)
Reviews
What the critics said
“Masterful precision … constantly lyrical and swinging … Their unison melodies, and intricate transitions are absolutely amazing! They’ve redefined playing together.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As a lifelong jazz bassist myself, I’m impressed by the fact that this album exists, especially with the focus being on the bass, an often overlooked instrument. “Bass-in Street Blues” put a smile on my face instantly. What’s not to love about this body of music? Greg and Mason are in total agreement throughout, as they smoothly negotiate the various complexities of this wide variety of challenging compositions with masterful precision. Their unison melodies, and intricate transitions are absolutely amazing! They’ve redefined playing together. They complement each other’s solo offerings as if they’re a single organism. Constantly lyrical and swinging, whether playing improvised or written components, these are two mature musicians making concise musical statements from beginning to end. The key factor here is a refreshingly prevalent and collective confidence and warmth, which unerringly prevails on every track, each containing its own story, conveyed with clarity and always conversational in content. This is an album that will withstand repeated listening, I think everyone will agree that Greg and Mason truly nailed this one! I love the subtleties of the writing and their uncluttered and coherent interplay during their solos. A collection of “Chamber Jazz Duets” with emphasis on the bass, conceived and performed intelligently. Overall, I think most people will enjoy this listenable album of original works, thoughtfully steeped in the jazz tradition, while uniquely adventurous, creative and sensitive. On the McJolt meter, I give it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“As I listen to the two of you make music together, it appears you guys are attached at the hip capturing the essence of each track with great feeling and clarity. I, first hand, know how much time and effort was put into this project to present it in this extremely polished manner. You cover a great deal of moods and harmonic diversity in the entire superb program. There are some huge surprises, as well. Listen to “BASS MODE,” which is a delight. This duo recording is world-class and will inspire repeated listening. BRAVO to two consummate Jazz musicians.”
“Greg Chako’s new duo recording A Place for Bass with bassist Mason Daugherty is a beautiful addition to this classic guitar/bass duo format. Greg set out to feature the bassist in more than an accompanying role with these compositions and it is really a seamless conversation between two great players. Congrats Greg and Mason this is some beautiful music.”
“Beautiful CD man!! Greg Chako is a beautiful and special guitar player who made a unique album of duets with the wonderful bassist Mason Daugherty. This recording has phenomenal interplay, great compositions, and a vibe that is all it’s own due the players’ singular voices and mutual respect. They have tackled this challenging instrumentation with courage and great artistry.”
“Greg’s got something going with this duo, and I’m a fan!”
“With “A Place for Bass”, Greg Chako has put together a beautiful set of music in a rare combination. The tunes are rich, and perfect vehicles for the wonderful playing from both Greg, and Mason. The songs swing and the tone is warm. This is music to sit back, relax, and enjoy the artistry and art. It is a wonderful recording.”
