Biography Bo Stief

Bo Stief biography.

See also: www.bostief.com

Bo Stief is an established name on the international and danish music scene. He is one of the few who master both the electric and acoustic bass the danish virtuos way. He started his musical career in the legendary Jazzhus Montmartre, where he accompanied names like Ben Webster, Stuff Smith, Roland Kirk, Yousef Lateef, New York Contemporary Five, Dexter Gordon, Roy Eldridge, Kenny Dorham, Kenny Drew and many others.

In 1966, Don Cherry took Bo Stief into his quintet with among others Gato Barbieri and made a tour of european cities including Holland, Belgium, Germany and Italy.

Bo Stief has been affiliated with Palle Mikkelborg since 1965. They have worked together many times, among others in the Riel/Mikkelborg Quintet that won 1st. prize at the Montreux Jazz Festival. They also played at the Newport Jazz Festival (U.S.A.). Later, Bo Stief played in V8, Entrance, and at the recording session of Palle Mikkelborg's composition "Aura" with Miles Davis, where he acted both as bass-player and co-producer. His assotiation with Palle Mikkelborg continued and led to his appearance on both CD "Anything but grey " and the following concert tour.

Bo Stief has been active on the international music scene since the early 70's. He made a strong impression as member of the pioneering "Pork Pie" with among others Philippe Catherine, guitar, Charlie Mariano, sax, and Jasper Van't Hof, keyboards. Bo Stief is still working with these people, especially with Jasper Van't Hof, with whom he has worked closely since 1974. For many years Bo Stief was also a member of all-star big band Peter Herboltzheimers Rythm and Brass Combination where he backed names like Benny Goodman, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr., Manhattan Transter, Gary Burton, Astrud Gilberto, Clark Terry, Chuck Finiey, Grady Tate and many others.

Bo Stief has also enriched the Danish rock scene where he has often been heard with among others Sebastian, Rainbow Band, Aske Bentzon, Sanne Salomonsen (he produced her CD "Precious Moments"), Kasper Winding, and Halberg/Larsen. Bo Stief has, on the whole, toured every corner of Denmark with musicians representing all genres.

Bo Stief has, in Scandinavia, worked with Arne Domnerus, Rune Gustafsson, Tommy Körberg, Tolvan Big Band, Tore Brunborg, Jon Eberson, Eje Thelin, Lars Gullin, Terje Rypdal, Jon Christensen, Audun Klieve and Jon Balke. He's been involved in a project with Jan Garbarek and has played with George Russells nordic all-star band.

Aside from extensive projects Bo Stief has also played with smaller constellations in numerous international concert tours, festivals, studio productions, and tv-recordings with the likes of John Scofield, Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Sonny Stitt, Toots Thielemanns, Joe Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie, Ronny Scott, Dexter Gordon, Eddie Harris, Art Farmer, and Ernie Watts.

Since 1980 Bo Stief has led his own bands (Bo Stief 5, Chasing Dreams, Dream Machine, Soundtrack, New Dreams). CD´s: Hidden Frontiers 86, Chasing Dreams (Sony Columbia 94) Heart and Destiny 99. Outstanding guitarist Poul Halberg has been an ongoing working partner. Bo Stief has manifested himself in these bands as composer and bandleader. He is a creative musician, always on the lookout for new boundaries to cross and inspired by what was, what is, and what is yet to come. Bo Stief's music is easily recognized by the personal sound of his bass and his philosophical attitudes toward life close to the midnight sun.

Since 97 Bo Stief has succesfully been leading Bo Stief “One Song” III. A muli etnical musical meeting point for musicians from all over the world. The latest issue of Bo Stief “One Song” III is with the harmonica virtuoso Lelo Nika and the fantastic Italien piano player Paolo Russo. The trio´s cd “First Time” obtained four stars in the famous “Downbeat” Magazine.

Bo Stief has been involved in duo projects with the Norvegian bass player Arrild Andersen and in 2004 he started to play with the American bass player Steve Swallow.

2005 Bo Stief was honoured with the Django d´Or price.

He has always been engaged and interested in new ways of musical approach. His curiosity is an essential drive and his constant dissolution of (prevailing) musical limitations always brings challenging and exiting results.

In short, Bo Stief's intention is to lift boundaries.

Bo Stief was named Music person of the Year in 1989 and received DJBFA's award in 1990. Two of Bo Stief's compositions are at the moment being used by the United Nations for their public relations film. Bo Stief is also the composer of jingles for danish prime time programs "Hvornår var det nu det var" and "Fredags Kanalen" for DR TV and Denmarks Radio, and in addition creator and primus motor for a series of concerts under the heading "The Nordic Tone". Bo Stief has acted as band-doctor and has held bass clinics at home and abroad.

To the long list of artists already mentioned in this biography can be added: Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis Buddy Tate, Carla Bley, Jimmy Raney, Steve Lacy, Thad Jones, Art Taylor, Johnny Griffin, Lee Konitz, Zooot Sims, Al Cohn, Mary Lou Williams, Joe Newman, Albert Mangelsdorf, Terry Gibbs, Cat Anderson, Frank Rossolini, Shorty Rogers, Alphonse Mouzon, Radiojazzgruppen, Jimmy and Albert Heath, Albert Ayler, Bob Malach, Larry Coryell, Adam Nussbaum, 2XEBU concert Band, Pili Pili, Wild Bill Davidson, Charlie Shavers, Ira Sullivan, Joe Henderson, Phil Woods, Brew More etc.

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