By Philippe LISSART & Hannes PIKKAT : Solo bassists are rare, Michael MANRING is unique. Few dare venture further than Jaco Pastorius did Michael MANRING has done this for twenty years. He has taken the legacy of his legendary teacher to an unrivalled level of excellence. A devout musician, he has dedicated his life to the instrument so often overlooked by soloists, redefining the role of the bass guitar in the context of contemporary music. Michael MANRING’s spectacular show trespasses frontiers and transcends traditions. The electrifying journey explores territories where no bassist has wandered before him. He makes no concession to his listener, restraining his unprecedented technical fireworks by impeccable sense of harmony and melody. In 1994, the BASS PLAYER MAGAZINE voted Michael MANRING the Bassist of the Year, a title attributed to an artist once in a lifetime and in 2009 he has been chosen by top jazz critics as some of the best jazz bassists in the world, in Downbeat Magazine's 57th annual Critics Poll (the results came from a poll of 120 of the world's top jazz critics) . Marcus MILLER commented on the occasion: 'Michael is doing some incredible things on the bass guitar, very different, very innovative'. Today, Michael MANRING is renowned on the international scene as a bassist ‘hors pairs’. An artist par excellence, an aspiring spirit, an absolute master. He is a major factor.