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Mark Helias

 
Artist: Mark Helias
  • Born: October 01, 1950, Brunswick, NJ
  • Active: '70s, '80s, '90s, 2000s
  • Genres: Jazz
  • Instrument: Bass
  • Representative Albums: "Fictionary," "Loopin' the Cool," "Desert Blue"

Biography

A versatile bassist with a particular flair for the avant-garde, Mark Helias is also an underappreciated composer, and no slouch with a funk groove either. Helias was born in Brunswick, N.J., in 1950, and didn't begin playing bass until age 20; however, he wound up studying music at Yale, graduating in 1976. In 1977, he formed BassDrumBone with trombonist Ray Anderson and drummer Gerry Hemingway, and began appearing as a sideman on albums by the likes of Anthony Braxton, Dewey Redman, Barry Altschul, and Anthony Davis. In 1981, Helias co-founded the free funk ensemble Slickaphonics with Anderson, and contributed a significant number of compositions to the group's repertoire. Helias' first album as a leader came for Enja in 1984 with Split Image. In 1985, he co-founded the world-fusion group Nu, along with Don Cherry, Ed Blackwell, Carlos Ward, and Nana Vasconcelos. The group split in 1987 and Helias recorded his second album, The Current Set; it was followed by Desert Blue two years later. In addition, Helias performed as a sideman with (among others) Cecil Taylor, Muhal Richard Abrams, Oliver Lake, and Mose Allison, not to mention the J.B. Horns. In 1992, Helias recorded the quartet/quintet album Attack the Future and had his composition "Upside the Downside" premiered by the String Trio of New York. 1994 brought Loopin' the Cool, his last major studio project for several years. During the late '90s, Helias formed a trio called Open Loose, which initially featured drummer Tom Rainey and Ellery Eskelin on tenor; they debuted on 1998's Come Ahead Back, his first album not released by Enja. In 1999, Tony Malaby replaced Eskelin (captured on the 2000 live recording New School), and Gerald Cleaver began taking Rainey's place at times. In addition, Helias also performed in a duo with fellow bassist Mark Dresser. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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Mark Helias
Birth name Mark Helias
Born October 1, 1950 (1950-10-01) (age 59)
Origin New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres Jazz
Occupations Double bassist, Composer, Educator
Instruments Double bass
Labels Enja Records
Associated acts Anthony Braxton, Don Byron

Mark Helias (born October 1, 1950) is an American jazz double bass player and composer born in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

He did not begin playing the double bass until the age of 20, graduating from Yale University School of Music with a Masters degree in 1976. He has also studied at Rutgers University. He teaches at Sarah Lawrence College, The New School, and SIM (School for Improvised Music).

Helias has performed with a wide variety of musicians, including Ray Anderson, Gerry Hemingway, Anthony Braxton, Dewey Redman, Barry Altschul, Anthony Davis, Don Cherry, Ed Blackwell, Carlos Ward, Nana Vasconcelos, Cecil Taylor, Muhal Richard Abrams, Oliver Lake, Julius Hemphill, Marilyn Crispell, Arthur Blythe, Abbey Lincoln, Marcel Khalife, Simon Nabatov, Don Byron, Marty Ehrlich, Mark Dresser, Ellery Eskelin, Cuong Vu, Mose Allison, and the J. B. Horns.

Discography

  • Strange Unison (Radio Legs 2008)
  • Atomic Clock (Radio Legs 2006)
  • Verbs of Will (Radio Legs 2004)
  • New School (Enja Records 2002)
  • Come Ahead Back (Koch Jazz 1998)
  • Fictionary (GM Recordings 1998)
  • Loopin’ The Cool (Enja Records 1995)
  • Attack The Future (Enja Records 1992)
  • Desert Blue (Enja Records 1989)
  • The Current Set (Enja Records 1987)
  • Split Image (Enja Records 1984)

External links


 
 
Learn More
Bass Drum Bone (Jazz Band, '80s, '90s)
Right Down Your Alley (1984 Album by Ray Anderson)
Wishbone (1990 Album by Ray Anderson)

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Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
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