Greetings. Fall is creeping up on us like a phantom. The chill is in the air and we’ve got that midwestern nesting instinct faintly glowing in our ether, like a phantom. I’ve been getting in my last faint whispers of summer as it … Read More
Holy cow. I just let July fly by. I took my first vacation in a long long time this past week and it was super refreshing. Looking ahead into August and beyond there are some great things brewing in the … Read More
Greetings! Happy Spring! Rebirth and renewal abound! Everything is so exciting don’t you think?!??! Well, it’s been a helluva month. Thanks to Jason Squinobal I had a great weekend at the U of Mn Morris Jazz Festival with Chicagoans Scott … Read More
Just the details please! As I said last month there’s a lot going on. It continues into spring and I will spare you the gory details of life, liberty and the pursuit of balance. Saturday April 4th: Steve Kenny Quartet … Read More
Not much to say right now. Super busy. New gigs posted on the calendar thru May. Lots to look forward to. I got adjusted last month by bass chiropractor Mark Dresser (www.markdresser.com). It was truly a pleasure to play for … Read More
Working hard on so many projects right now. The Jason Melek memorial I wrote about last month is moving right along and continues to reward us all with unexpected niceties. Dean Granros’ Tall Tales is recording this week for a … Read More
Happy New Year everyone! Gather ‘round for a tale of tragedy, triumph, tribute and revitalization. In this age of social media and transitory relationships we are often feeling more connected and yet perhaps we remain farther apart than ever before. … Read More
The Bates Update – Late September, 2014. What’s on my mind, you ask? Death. Death is on my mind. It has been a seemingly unprecedented year for it. From celebrities and dignitaries to the innocent deaths of thousands around the … Read More
Here comes a special evening folks! Join us at Jazz Central on Saturday September 20th when we invite NYC based guitarist and composer Joel Harrison to hang and collaborate with Chris Bates and Pete Hennig from Atlantis Quartet. This evening’s concert … Read More
Well folks this awesome summer has wound down to it’s final week. I have had a great season playing music with new and old friends and I even got some R&R in over the last few weeks. It’s good to … Read More