East West Fusion Fest Features Michael Manring Tonight

World-renowned bass soloist and Grammy nominee Michael Manring, guitar master Todd Mosby's ensemble Axis, and pop/jazz duo Bryan and Lola will perform as part of the first annual East West Fusion Fest at 7 p.m. tonight, May 9, at the Kranzberg Arts Center (501 N. Grand Blvd.). The event is presented by Mosby Music Group and sponsored by The Gatesworth.

A meet and greet with Manring will be held in the lobby immediately following the concert. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at the door, or online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1382035.

Hailed by many as the world's leading solo bassist, Manring, of San Francisco, California, has been pushing the boundaries of what's possible on the bass guitar for more than three decades. Building on conceptions of his teacher, the late bass legend Jaco Pastorius, Manring has developed a new approach to the instrument that includes unorthodox tunings, techniques and methodologies. He has performed with a diverse collection of musicians from New Age keyboardist Suzanne Ciani, avant-improv guitar innovator Henry Kaiser, and celebrated folk troubadour John Gorka to experimental post-metal rockers Tim Alexander (Primus) and Alex Skolnick (Testament), among others.

Manring has garnered two gold records, Grammy and Bammie nominations, a Berklee School of Music Distinguished Alumni Award, two Just Plain Folks Awards and numerous Bass Player Magazine Reader's Poll awards, including 1994 Bassist of the Year. He was also the subject of a PBS TV documentary, "The Artist's Profile: Michael Manring." A YouTube video of him playing his iconic solo piece "Selene" has more than a million views.

Mosby, who currently lives in St. Louis, has become the first and only guitarist to be included in the famed Imdad Khani Gharana, India's first family of Indian sitarist. His guitar-based compositions include works for film, modern dance, theater, concert stage, new music ensembles and solo duets. Todd formed Axis this year, slated to perform in venues across the country. He most recently completed pre-production work on a forth coming CD with Grammy winner Will Ackerman, founder of Windham Hill records.

Joining Manring and Mosby is local pop/jazz duo Bryan & Lola, a husband and wife team. Both 24, the two emerging artists are music teachers and Webster University alumni. They perform their original songs throughout the area.

Mosby Music Group is a live music production and music licensing agency specializing in intimate concert presentations. Targeting a niche in the small to medium venues, MMG seeks to present unique, traditional and non-traditional venues for concert presentation. For more information, please visit www.mosbymusicgroup.com.

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