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Biography
Hello and welcome to my web site, CliffEngel.com! I am an electric bassist from Hays, Kansas and the founder of The International Institute of Bassists (IIB). I have been playing electric bass in all styles of music for the past 20 years with a primary emphasis on solo electric bass guitar, fusion, and jazz.
As a solo bassist, I have been arranging and performing music for unaccompanied electric bass guitar for many years through the utilization of contemporary fingerstyle, slapping, tapping, and chordal techniques along with harmonics and altered tunings.
I am a former long-time student of world-renowned jazz improvisation instructor Charlie Banacos (New England Conservatory of Music). I also studied Music Performance under the guidance of Anthony Vitti at the Berklee College of Music in Boston during the summer of 1993. I earned a bachelor of arts degree from Fort Hays State University.
Through the years, I have played in a number of ensembles including regional jazz duos, trios, quartets and quintets, university jazz ensembles, fusion bands, R&B bands, rock bands, funk bands, big bands, country bands, musicals, choirs, and orchestras.
With over a decade of teaching experience, I provide instruction on electric bass guitar locally and to bassists located around the world through my bass lessons by correspondence program. Since its opening in 2003, I have also been an instructor of jazz improvisation at MusicDojo.com.
I endorse Zon Guitars, Aguilar Amplification, SWR Sound, Line 6, La Bella Strings, and Evidence Audio Cables. In May 2002, I was profiled in Bass Player magazine.
On June 1, 2005, I launched the brand new web site of the IIB at InstituteOfBass.com (formerly BASSically.net).
I am currently working on a series of instructional books and a DVD demonstrating my techniques and concepts.
As a solo bassist, I have been arranging and performing music for unaccompanied electric bass guitar for many years through the utilization of contemporary fingerstyle, slapping, tapping, and chordal techniques along with harmonics and altered tunings.I am a former long-time student of world-renowned jazz improvisation instructor Charlie Banacos (New England Conservatory of Music). I also studied Music Performance under the guidance of Anthony Vitti at the Berklee College of Music in Boston during the summer of 1993. I earned a bachelor of arts degree from Fort Hays State University.
Through the years, I have played in a number of ensembles including regional jazz duos, trios, quartets and quintets, university jazz ensembles, fusion bands, R&B bands, rock bands, funk bands, big bands, country bands, musicals, choirs, and orchestras.
With over a decade of teaching experience, I provide instruction on electric bass guitar locally and to bassists located around the world through my bass lessons by correspondence program. Since its opening in 2003, I have also been an instructor of jazz improvisation at MusicDojo.com.
I endorse Zon Guitars, Aguilar Amplification, SWR Sound, Line 6, La Bella Strings, and Evidence Audio Cables. In May 2002, I was profiled in Bass Player magazine.
On June 1, 2005, I launched the brand new web site of the IIB at InstituteOfBass.com (formerly BASSically.net).
I am currently working on a series of instructional books and a DVD demonstrating my techniques and concepts.
My Musical Timeline
1987: Received my first Fender Precision bass and Fender combo amp for Christmas.
1989: As a freshman in high school, I was introduced to jazz by my school's band instructor. Started listening to Miles Davis (Ron Carter & Paul Chambers), Charlie Parker, Oscar Peterson (Ray Brown), John Coltrane, Bill Evans (Eddie Gomez), and Chick Corea (John Patitucci). Played in local rock bands, musicals, and choirs.
1990: As a sophomore in high school, held the bass chair with the local university jazz band and began performing in jazz festivals. Joined a regional jazz quartet that I continued to perform with for the next several years. Purchased my first solo bass recording, Kings Of Sleep, by Stu Hamm. Stu became my first big solo bass influence. Purchased my first real bass rig, an SWR SM-400 amp and the original Goliath 4x10 cabinet.
1991: The direction of my career as a bassist was forever changed upon discovering Drastic Measures by solo bassist nonpareil Michael Manring.
1992: Began absorbing the sounds of all the bass greats - Marcus Miller, Billy Sheehan, Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Brian Bromberg, and Victor Wooten. Auditioned and was awarded a substantial scholarship to Berklee College of Music.
1993: Played my first gig as a solo bassist. Graduated from high school. Attended Berklee College of Music's Summer Performance Program. Headlined a sold-out show at The Berklee Performance Center with two groups, an R&B as well as a fusion band. Purchased my first Zon bass, a Sonus fretless 4-string.
1994: Quit college after my freshman year and began studying through correspondence with Charlie Banacos (New England Conservatory of Music). Charlie has been recognized by leading music publications and academic institutions along with a who's who of industry professionals and former students as the finest improvisation teacher in the world. I would continue to study with Charlie through 1999. Lots of woodsheddin' for the next several years.
1995-1996: Played lots of gigs as a member of several different groups.
1997: With the assistance of my friend, Brant Kelsey, I founded BASSically.net, now known as the International Institute of Bassists (InstituteOfBass.com).
2000: After years of teaching locally, I began providing bass lessons by correspondence.
2002: Profiled in the May issue of Bass Player magazine.
2003: Began teaching at MusicDojo.com.
2004: Acquired an endorsement with La Bella Strings. Began live video conferencing bass lessons.
2005: Launched the next generation of the IIB web site. Working on 5 instructional books and a DVD demonstrating beginner to advanced-level techniques and concepts on electric bass guitar.
2006: Received my new Zon Custom fretted 5-string bass with black redwood top.
1989: As a freshman in high school, I was introduced to jazz by my school's band instructor. Started listening to Miles Davis (Ron Carter & Paul Chambers), Charlie Parker, Oscar Peterson (Ray Brown), John Coltrane, Bill Evans (Eddie Gomez), and Chick Corea (John Patitucci). Played in local rock bands, musicals, and choirs.
1990: As a sophomore in high school, held the bass chair with the local university jazz band and began performing in jazz festivals. Joined a regional jazz quartet that I continued to perform with for the next several years. Purchased my first solo bass recording, Kings Of Sleep, by Stu Hamm. Stu became my first big solo bass influence. Purchased my first real bass rig, an SWR SM-400 amp and the original Goliath 4x10 cabinet.
1991: The direction of my career as a bassist was forever changed upon discovering Drastic Measures by solo bassist nonpareil Michael Manring.
1992: Began absorbing the sounds of all the bass greats - Marcus Miller, Billy Sheehan, Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Brian Bromberg, and Victor Wooten. Auditioned and was awarded a substantial scholarship to Berklee College of Music.
1993: Played my first gig as a solo bassist. Graduated from high school. Attended Berklee College of Music's Summer Performance Program. Headlined a sold-out show at The Berklee Performance Center with two groups, an R&B as well as a fusion band. Purchased my first Zon bass, a Sonus fretless 4-string.
1994: Quit college after my freshman year and began studying through correspondence with Charlie Banacos (New England Conservatory of Music). Charlie has been recognized by leading music publications and academic institutions along with a who's who of industry professionals and former students as the finest improvisation teacher in the world. I would continue to study with Charlie through 1999. Lots of woodsheddin' for the next several years.
1995-1996: Played lots of gigs as a member of several different groups.
1997: With the assistance of my friend, Brant Kelsey, I founded BASSically.net, now known as the International Institute of Bassists (InstituteOfBass.com).2000: After years of teaching locally, I began providing bass lessons by correspondence.
2002: Profiled in the May issue of Bass Player magazine.
2003: Began teaching at MusicDojo.com.
2004: Acquired an endorsement with La Bella Strings. Began live video conferencing bass lessons.
2005: Launched the next generation of the IIB web site. Working on 5 instructional books and a DVD demonstrating beginner to advanced-level techniques and concepts on electric bass guitar.
2006: Received my new Zon Custom fretted 5-string bass with black redwood top.
