bassist

As a virtuoso bassist, versatile composer, and acclaimed bandleader, Marc Johnson has been a major innovator on the jazz scene for the past two decades. Born in Nebraska in 1953, Johnson took up bass at the age of 16, having already studied piano and cello. While completing his formal education in the celebrated music program at the University of North Texas, at age 19, Johnson began performing professionally with the Fort Worth Symphony. In 1977, he was on the road with the Woody Herman Band.

Guy Pratt is a well-known session bassist, songwriter, actor and comedian. He was born January 3, 1962 in London, UK, son of actor Mike Pratt. In 1996, Pratt married Gala Wright, the daughter of Richard Wright. Pratt is best known for his work as a session player. He has worked with Pink Floyd, The Orb, All Saints, Icehouse, Madonna, Roxy Music, Michael Jackson and Toy Matinee. He is a member of The Transit Kings with Alex Paterson (of The Orb), Jimmy Cauty and Dominic Beken.

The Bastards of Fate formed in 2006, and toured for almost 5 years before finishing their first LP, called "Who's a Fuzzy Buddy?" which was released in March 2012 on This Will Be Our Summer records. The album has received mostly positive, though sometimes baffled coverage from outlets such as Vice, Consequence of Sound, Drowned In Sound and Clash, as well as hype from Everett True's Collapse Board, which has featured the band on numerous occasions.

Read more about The Bastards of Fate on Last.fm.

Jazz bassist Ben Williams is a forward-thinking musician who crosses easily between straight-ahead, funk, and gospel-influenced jazz. A native of Washington, D.C., Williams graduated from the Duke Ellington School of Music before studying with renowned bassist Rodney Whitaker while earning a B.A. in jazz studies at Michigan State University. He is an in-demand sideman and has performed with a veritable who's who of jazz, including Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Mulgrew Miller, Terence Blanchard, and others.