Ken Filiano

Kenneth S. Filiano (b. October 27, 1952, Patchogue, New York) is an American jazz double bassist. He is associated with the modern free improvisational scene.

Filiano studied trumpet at Syracuse University from 1970, but switched to double bass in 1974 and graduated in 1978. After moving to Boston he worked with Mark Harvey and Arnie Cheatham, and formed a duo with Steve Adams. He moved to Los Angeles in 1982, where he worked extensively with Vinny Golia. He played with Hafez Modirzadeh and studied under Bertram Turetsky in the mid-1980s, also studying at various colleges in southern California in the late 1980s. He played with Rob Blakeslee, Tina Marsh, Bob Rodriguez, John Rapson, Richard Grossman, Kim Richmond, Bonnie Barnett, Tad Weed, Don Preston, Bill Perkins, Marty Ehrlich, and Jimmy Cleveland in the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1989 he toured France with Billy Mintz.

He moved to New York City in 1994, and studied at Rutgers (1994–97). He also studied under Michael Moore. Later associations include those with Steve Swell, Roswell Rudd, Lou Grassi, Paul Smoker, and Chris Chalfont. He has also worked as a freelance musician with Frank Morgan, James Newton, Milcho Leviev, John Heard, Joelle Leandre, Bobby Bradford, Warne Marsh, and Kenny Barron. In 1998 Filiano recorded Firstlight, a CD with the Frank Giasullo Quartet, headed by composer, arranger, pianist Frank Giasullo. His first session as a leader, Subvenire, apperared in 2002.

References

• Gary W. Kennedy, "Ken Filiano". Grove Jazz online.
• Ken Filiano at Allmusic
• Biography at Jazz.com