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“Patrick Pfeiffer brings finely articulated grooves,
thoughtful ballad work, and head-turning solos to his
debut solo release.” -Bass Player Magazine
"Patrick’s teaching method showed me how to connect the
bits of technique I’d collected into a playing style."
—Adam Clayton, Bass Player, U2
Known for a distinctive bass style that combines
passion, disciplined fingerwork and an intuitive sense
of rhythm, Patrick Pfeiffer draws frequent comparisons
to his musical hero, bass player Jaco Pastorius.
“Although his style and sound owe much to Jaco, Patrick
puts his own worthy stamp on the legacy,” said Bass
Player Magazine
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the sound |
In Pfeiffer's own words, he is both "100 percent player and 100 percent
teacher." A much-in-demand bass instructor, Pfeiffer is highly-respected
for his ability to guide musicians to the top of their talent. His gift
for teaching attracts some of the world's most serious students.
Simply look at the liner notes of U2's album "Pop" and you'll see a
"thank you" from one of these pupils, U2's Adam Clayton. Other
well-known students have included Alec John Such (of Jon Bon Jovi), Mark
Wike (of Bogmen), Damon Martin (Naked). It's no coincidence that
Pfeiffer is called "the professional bass player's bass teacher.
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the band |
In Pfeiffer's own words, he is both "100 percent player and 100 percent
teacher." A much-in-demand bass instructor, Pfeiffer is highly-respected
for his ability to guide musicians to the top of their talent. His gift
for teaching attracts some of the world's most serious students. Simply
look at the liner notes of U2's album "Pop" and you'll see a "thank you"
from one of these pupils, U2's Adam Clayton. Other well-known students
have included Alec John Such (of Jon Bon Jovi), Mark Wike (of Bogmen),
Damon Martin (Naked). It's no coincidence that Pfeiffer is called "the
professional bass player's bass teacher.
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Genres |
Pop
Rock
R&B |
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the lowdown |
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Talent & Skills |
Bass
Guitar
Keyboards
Songwriter
Vocals |
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 Studying these West Indian forms and drawing upon his own diverse
musical background allowed him to perform with artists ranging from Baba
Olatunji to Phoebe Snow to the notable pianist Paul Griffin, with whom
Pfeiffer formed the band Phoenix in 1990.
In 1999—after nearly a decade of playing East Coast clubs with Phoenix,
working as a much sought-out studio musician, and developing a strong
industry reputation as a gifted bass teacher—Pfeiffer decided it was
time to bring together his diverse musical loves.
The result is “Fruits and Nuts,” Phoenix’s debut CD, which features
original compositions and arrangements. The album boasts virtuoso
performances by Phoenix members and has earned kudos for its infectious
melodies, articulate grooves, complex rhythms, and passionate energy.
While Pfeiffer is thoroughly enjoying the post-album, post-Dummies
accolades, he refuses to rest on his laurels.
He published a second book, “Improve Your Groove – The Ultimate Guide
For Bass (Hal Leonard), and is currently performing and recording with a
dynamic range of musicians, including the KMA All-Stars (a group of
studio musicians at the KMA studio in NYC) George Clinton, Jimmy Norman
(of The Coasters), Mikki Howard, Carlos Alomar, Lady Kyra, the Jeremiah
Long Band, and Gary Corwin and the Dream Band.
Furthermore, he's turned his pen toward a series of "In Search Of" bass
books, due out in the near future. And yes, he continues to teach,
giving his famed Bass & Drum Clinics on Rhythm Section Styles.
“Ask not what music can do for you,” answers Pfeiffer when asked about
his future plans. “Ask what you can do for music.” For Pfeiffer, this
means one thing: To continue making his own unique contributions to
today’s music scene
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the early years |
 Born
in Bremen, Germany, to a music-loving family, Pfeiffer’s musical career
began not with the bass but with the xylophone at age 3 when his parents
enrolled him in lessons. At age 7, Pfeiffer graduated to the piano,
“which I hated,” he says. “I was required to practice one hour per day
so I’d tape the first 1/2 hour of my practice, then play the tape back
for the remaining 1/2 hour so my mother would think I was getting all my
practicing in.”
Then came the moment that changed Pfeiffer’s life and gave him a reason
to give up the piano: He discovered the Beatles. Awed by Paul
McCartney’s song-supporting grooves and his lady-luring ways, the
11-year-old Pfeiffer begged his parents for bass lessons. It was a good
move. So talented was Pfeiffer, that his bass-playing and songwriting
earned him the attention of the German record label “Deutsche
Gramophone” in 1977. Instead of pursuing a recording contract in his
native Germany however, he left for America.
Once in the U.S., Pfeiffer grew increasingly interested in the
spontaneity and emotional expression of jazz. Seeking to marry his
pop-rock background with his new passion, Pfeiffer began writing songs
that combined jazz rhythms with rock bass lines. To deepen his jazz
knowledge, he studied Jazz Performance at Arizona State University. He
furthered his education under the tutelage of famed bassist Miroslav
Vitous at the New England Conservatory in Boston, where he graduated
with honors, earning a Masters degree in Jazz. It was in Boston that
Pfeiffer performed with such music legends as George Russell, Jimmy
Guiffre, Mick Goodrick, and Sheila Jordan.
After graduating, Pfeiffer relocated to New York City. It was during
this period that Pfeiffer became the musical director for an
international cruise line, a job which introduced him to various musical
styles of the Caribbean. “What I love about this style is the rhythmic
interplay between the instruments,” says Pfeiffer. “Everybody has a
separate part. Nobody plays what anybody else plays but all of it makes
the whole piece.” |
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