Janie Cowan (MFC BAND - Bass)
http://www.janiecowan.com/
Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Janie Cowan is a bassist and consummate professional. Aside from a strong technical foundation, fat tone and deep feel of rhythm, Janie possesses the rare ability to adapt to any musical situation and bring the ensemble to a new cohesive level.
At age four Janie started the Suzuki Piano method on piano, transitioning to the double bass at 11 in her public school orchestra. She continued her education at The Oberlin Conservatory of Music after being awarded a talent scholarship. She entered as a double major in jazz and classical performance before writing her own major, under the direction of Jamey Haddad (Percussionist with Paul Simon, Sting), entitled Contemporary Bass Performance. While at Oberlin Janie studied with Eddie Gomez (of the Bill Evans Trio), Billy Hart (drummer with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock), Marcus Belgrave (trumpet player with Ray Charles, Charles Mingus), Thomas Sperl (Cleveland Symphony bassist) and Hasu Patel (sitar disciple from North India).
After graduation Janie moved to New York City. She performed with jazz, worl d, rock musicians, singer-songwriters, soul singers and chamber ensembles. She found a hub of globally minded musicians in the Go: Organic Orchestra, an improvisatory world music ensemble conducted and created by Adam Rudolph (collaborator of Yusef Lateef, Don Cherry). After multiple residencies at Roulette and recording on two albums with the project she helped expand the orchestra to Austin, TX where it recently completed it’s third annual happening.
Now as a hired gun and studio musician based in LA Janie finds herself touring nationally and internationally with an impressive array of musicians from different backgrounds. In summer travels she teaches classical, jazz, folk bass and improvisation at festivals and camps. Current recordings of interest include an album with The Amaris, and ethiopian inspired quintet based in Austin, Nefesh’s upcoming release recorded during their Spain tour 2016 and a series of duet improvisations with Bob Hoffnar on pedal steel as part of his Liminal Sound Series in Austin.
At age four Janie started the Suzuki Piano method on piano, transitioning to the double bass at 11 in her public school orchestra. She continued her education at The Oberlin Conservatory of Music after being awarded a talent scholarship. She entered as a double major in jazz and classical performance before writing her own major, under the direction of Jamey Haddad (Percussionist with Paul Simon, Sting), entitled Contemporary Bass Performance. While at Oberlin Janie studied with Eddie Gomez (of the Bill Evans Trio), Billy Hart (drummer with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock), Marcus Belgrave (trumpet player with Ray Charles, Charles Mingus), Thomas Sperl (Cleveland Symphony bassist) and Hasu Patel (sitar disciple from North India).
After graduation Janie moved to New York City. She performed with jazz, worl d, rock musicians, singer-songwriters, soul singers and chamber ensembles. She found a hub of globally minded musicians in the Go: Organic Orchestra, an improvisatory world music ensemble conducted and created by Adam Rudolph (collaborator of Yusef Lateef, Don Cherry). After multiple residencies at Roulette and recording on two albums with the project she helped expand the orchestra to Austin, TX where it recently completed it’s third annual happening.
Now as a hired gun and studio musician based in LA Janie finds herself touring nationally and internationally with an impressive array of musicians from different backgrounds. In summer travels she teaches classical, jazz, folk bass and improvisation at festivals and camps. Current recordings of interest include an album with The Amaris, and ethiopian inspired quintet based in Austin, Nefesh’s upcoming release recorded during their Spain tour 2016 and a series of duet improvisations with Bob Hoffnar on pedal steel as part of his Liminal Sound Series in Austin.
