Jonathan Moody’s “Asphalt” Turns Life Stories and Places into Jazz-Fusion Bass Grooves
Bassist Jonathan Moody has returned with a new groove-heavy album, entitled Asphalt. The nine original songs were formed after a spark of inspiration struck him two years ago.
“In December 2023, an idea was formed to write songs based on experiences and stories from lives long past. Those various experiences help shape you into the person you are now,” Moody shares. “But in a larger text, the backdrop of those memories are the cities/towns you were in, that easily contributed to the overall experience. All of the songs on the album have been inspired by places that I’ve visited, either as a musician or just growing up that have had an impact upon my life. And sometimes, the asphalt that got me there.”
Moody utilized quite an arsenal to record the album, including a Hilton Workhorse five-string bass, a 1974 Fender Jazz, a G&L Kiloton Fretless, and a Corvann Baby Bass. He wrote the music in a jazz-fusion style and cites Stanley Clarke, Return to Forever, Weather Report, and Bob James as influences for Asphalt‘s direction. The bassist enlisted the help of saxophonists Ted Hogarth and Jonathan Napper, keyboardist Arlene McDaniel, guitarist Cameron Taylor, and drummer Dave Van Haren.
“The musicians that join me on this project also vary widely from how long we’ve known each other, where we’ve met and the types of musical projects we’ve worked together on,” Moody explains.
Check out the album with the track, “Old Town Get Down,” which kicks off with a great double-stop bass line a la Stanley Clarke.
Asphalt is out now digitally through Bandcamp, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more.
Asphalt Track List:
- Cerritos & Flan?
- Boxcars
- The National Zoo
- Old Town Get Down
- Dancing Bacon
- Slow Dance on 36
- Slaughterhouse
- Midnight in a New Millennium
- Valley 3
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
