Chris Wood (jazz musician)

Chris Wood

Chris Wood performing with Medeski Martin Scofield & Wood in 2007
Background information
Birth name Christopher Barry Wood
Born Pasadena, California
Origin New York City, United States
Genres Jazz, funk, blues
Occupation(s) Musician, composer
Instruments Bass
Years active 1991–present
Associated acts Medeski Martin & Wood
The Wood Brothers
Website www.mmw.net

Christopher Barry Wood (born November 25, 1969) is an American bass player, best known for playing with the avant-garde jazz-funk trio Medeski Martin & Wood (MMW).

Biography

Born in Pasadena, California, Wood formed MMW in 1991 with John Medeski and Billy Martin.[1]

Wood also collaborates with his brother Oliver Wood as The Wood Brothers. Their debut studio release, entitled Ways Not to Lose, was produced by John Medeski.[2]

Wood plays both upright and electric basses. One technique he uses on the upright bass involves using a drumstick as a slide near the bridge of the bass. Wood bows between the drumstick and the bridge to produce a high-pitched, warbling sound, similar to a theremin. Wood is also known to insert a sheet of notation paper behind and between the strings of his bass which creates a unique "snare bass" sound, an adaption of a technique devised on the double bass by Bertram Turetzky. This is featured on the Medeski, Martin, and Wood recording of "Paper Bass" on the album "Friday Afternoon in the Universe" (1995).

References

Chris Wood
Copenhagen Jazz Festival (2007)
Photo Hreinn Gudlaugsson