Artist description Award-winning songwriter/upright bassist/crooner Ritt Henn combines a sound solidly grounded in the worlds of jazz, blues and old school R&B with playful yet intriguingly probing lyrical looks at affairs of the heart. A core unit of acoustic bass, guitar and drums - seasoned with organ, piano and horns - gives the tracks an organic, timeless feel. This band flat-out swings. All players are members of the American Federation of Musicians.

Music Style jazz, blues, old school r&b

Musical Influences Paul Chambers, Harvie Swartz, Arthur Adams, Miles Davis, Cole Porter, Trout Fishing in America, John Clayton, Rob Wasserman

Similar Artists Randy Newman, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Harry Connick, Jr., Bob Dorough, Richard Thompson, Dave Frishberg, Warren Zevon, Dan Hicks, Tony Bennett, Barenaked Ladies, Jay Leonhart, Sinatra, Kurt Elling

Artist History Ritt's been singing since he was a tot, playing bass since the 5th grade and writing songs since high school, when hip teachers let him do that in lieu of taking tests. About 10 years ago, he began performing his original songs in Los Angeles with his trio, The Concerned Citizens Combo. That evolved into his playing out solo, accompanying himself on just bass. This past year he's been returning to the trio format when schedules and budget allow. The band is a finalist in the jazz category of the Independent Music Awards, with the final judging in September 2000. He's toured the U.S. and Europe playing clubs and festivals, including a recent gig on the main stage at the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland between Freddie Hubbard and Bela Fleck & the Flecktones. Why, he even gets royalty checks from Belgium. By continuing to work as a sideman and session bassist - he's played "Stand By Me" with Ben E. King at a used auto parts convention in Vegas and whistled for Michael Jackson's next CD - Ritt's played with some truly amazing and accomplished musicians. Whenever it's time to record a new album, he calls upon this ever-expanding pool of talented friends to go into the studio. He met several of the players on the current album while gigging with Blind Pig Records recording artist Arthur Adams. Always seeking new avenues of expression, Ritt's also produced and hosted over 135 episodes of the TV series, "A Man, a Bass & a Box of Stuff," spotlighting indie musical artists; it's aired in Los Angeles and New York City. Oh yeah...he was also an alien bassoonist on "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Yup, the guy gets around.

Group Members Ritt Henn, James Gadson, Neil Larsen, Lou Levy, Joe Jewell, Jake Jacobs, Wanda L. Houston, Greg Smith, Beverly Dahlke-Smith, Lester Lovitt, D.C. Anderson, Ma & Pa

Instruments Acoustic Bass, Guitar, Drums, Hammond B-3, Horns, Piano, Fluke

Albums "Goin' Back" and "It's Me!"

Press Reviews Pasadena Star-News: "Ritt Henn, the string bass player with a voice to woo the world." Dave Frishberg: "The Randy Newman of the bass." Los Angeles Times: "Clever both lyrically and musically." Carl Reiner: "If I were making a movie, I'd have Ritt write a song for it...but I'm writing a book." Susanne Millhaps, KRCL-FM, Salt Lake City, UT: "Ritt Henn's new CD is a lot of fun; jazzy, folky, charming, sure to put a smile on your face." Ron Garant, Bassics magazine: "He's quite a storyteller...I'm glad to see him with a new release." Peter Gullerud, NoHo News:"Ritt is an exceptional showman and singer and one of the best upright bass players I've ever had the pleasure to watch. He performs classics in his own unique style as well as originals." L.A. Weekly: "Nutty bassist/cable-TV hero Ritt Henn" Norm Sancho, Windham Hill: "Why, this is downright accessible!"

Additional Info "Writing Charts Even a Bass Player Can Read" - an instructional tome on chart-writing, with emphasis on notation, form & rhythm

Location Los Angeles, CA - USA

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