Bassist and composer Mike Pope builds significant musical, personal and spiritual bridges with his third release, Cold Truth, Warm Heart. The new album shows him to be a visionary composer, arranger and bandleader.
Fans already know Pope as a virtuoso acoustic and electric bassist who has toured extensively with Chick Corea, David Sanborn, Al DiMeola and Bill Bruford, and more recently Joe Locke and Eldar Djangirov. The new offering on Nineteen-Eight Records establishes Pope as a capable leader and he says, "it was written for the players who were playing it." He establishes the subject matter, directs the conversation, then wisely leaves plenty of space for these world-class improvisers to do what they do. The result is jazz with rich melodies, lush chords, and sensual rhythms. Pope's 2002 album, The Lay of the Land, delivered contemporary straight- ahead jazz from stellar players Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, John Patitucci and Jeff "Tain" Watts. Writing for All About Jazz, Alexander Stern called the disc "one of the most exciting new albums this reviewer has heard in a long time." Ottawa Citizen noted Pope's "jaw-dropping exuberance and precision." The strongest endorsement comes from bass legend Victor Wooten who says, "If I were going to study improvisation at this point, I'd do it with Mike Pope."June 4, 2014
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House of Cardinals Band Washington, D.C.
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