Victor Wooten

Anyone who knows anything about Victor Wooten knows that he's one of those rare souls: he gains a rep for playing the bass. Soul Circus, however, isn't just an extravaganza for bass players. Wooten, as it turns out, is also a heck of a writer and, as the listener will learn on the first track, a fine singer. The unusual first track, "Victa," is a funky, soulful hymn in praise of – who else – Wooten himself, while "Bass Tribute" offers accolades to those who've come before him.

A superb, varied, playfully crafted disc, and an absolutely stunning effort that surpasses expectations. The music varies from funk and rap to a fantastic version of John Coltrane's "Naima," to a beautiful, very different – yet quite recognizable without being boring – version of the Lennon/McCartney standard "Norwegian Wood." The shifts of stance, posture, and presentation are at times abrupt but never disconcerting; rather, they provoke thought and reflection. These shifts appear at times between the tracks and at times in the midst of the pieces themselves. The disc is never inaccessible; the combination of jazz and Irish music brings to mind the seemingly ridiculous combinations of Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains.

As the virtuoso bass man for Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten has become a hero to four- (and five-) stringers everywhere. On his own, he creates a sound that largely rejects the rootsier side of Fleck's sound, embracing instead the funk and jazz-fusion flavors that have already been flowing through him for many years. Wooten's been making solo albums since the mid-'90s, but PALMYSTERY is one of his most wide-ranging efforts yet, incorporating soul/R&B, gospel, bluesy guitar licks (courtesy of Keb' Mo'), and of course the death-defying thumb acrobatics for which the world-class bassist is best known.

This is one of the most ambitious albums I have run across. The only instrument on it other than bass guitar is voice.This is an album from the heart of a thinking and feeling human, who has so much to give. I was skeptical for about 20 seconds, then I was hooked into it.Put it on and open up to the music.

Five-time GRAMMY award-winning bass player, producer, composer, author, and educator Victor Wooten will release his first album in five years, TRYPNOTYX, September 8. In support of the album, he will hit the road with the Victor Wooten Trio this fall following August dates with Béla Fleck & The Flecktones of which he is a founding member.

Bassist Victor Wooten began his musical career early. At age three, his brother Regi taught him to play bass, and at age five he made his stage debut with his four older brothers in the Wootens, playing songs by R&B mainstays like James Brown, Sly & the Family Stone, War, and Curtis Mayfield. After playing regional tours and opening for acts like Mayfield and War, the Wootens recorded an album in 1985. However, the record received little commercial or critical response, and eventually the Wooten Brothers found other gigs.

"SWORD AND STONE" and "WORDS AND TONES" by Victor Wooten, who has been heralded as “the Michael Jordan of the bass” and “one of the most fearless musicians on the planet”. In 2011, Rolling Stone Magazine voted Victor one of the Top Ten Bassist of ALL TIME. “Words and Tones” is a collection of original music featuring female vocalists. “Sword and Stone” is an instrumental version of many of the same songs from the CD "Words and Tones" and includes different interpretations, musicians, and performances, which showcase different sides of Wooten’s approach to music, performance, and songwriting.

Bassist Victor Wooten began his musical career early. At age three, his brother Regi taught him to play bass, and at age five he made his stage debut with his four older brothers in the Wootens, playing songs by R&B mainstays like James Brown, Sly & the Family Stone, War, and Curtis Mayfield.