Jimmy Haslip

Jimmy Haslip
Background information
Birth name	Jimmy Haslip
Born	(1951-12-31) December 31, 1951 Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.
Genres	Jazz Jazz fusion World music Rock R&B Heavy metal
Occupation(s)	Musician (electric bass player, composer, instructor, and record producer)
Years active	1977-present
Labels	Heads Up
Associated acts	Yellowjackets Holdsworth Pasqua Haslip Wackerman Jing Chi Blackjack, Tommy Bolin Band
Website	JimmyHaslip.com
Notable instruments
Tobias "red" basic 5 strings

Jimmy Haslip (born December 31, 1951 in Bronx/New York City) is an American electric bass player and record producer best known as a founding but ex-member of the pioneering fusion group Yellowjackets. He was also an early user of the 5-string electric bass.

Early life and career

File:Eric Marienthal & Jimmy Haslip - Jazz na Starowce 2012 (2).jpg

Jimmy Haslip with Eric Marienthal in 2012

Born in The Bronx to Puerto Rican immigrants, Spanish was Haslip's first language and learned to speak English in kindergarten. His father, Jaime Haslip served in the United States Customs Service, beginning as a Merchant Marine until moving to patrolman and eventually deputy commissioner.

Haslip moved to Huntington, New York when he was four years old, where he grew up. At age seven, Haslip began playing drums and moved onto other instruments such as trumpet and tuba until playing bass at age 15. Although he took music lessons and even went to a private music school, Haslip considers himself self-taught. Haslip has said that he went to a local music shop with his father and purchased a right-handed bass (Haslip is left-handed) and learned to play it upside down.

In an interview with magazine JazzTimes, Haslip reveals he was surrounded by music as a young boy, from visiting nightclubs and concert venues to his peers. He explains that there was music in his house as well, from his older brother Gabriel listening to classic jazz, his father listening to Latin and orchestra jazz and his aunt listening to "sappy stuff like Jerry Vale and Johnny Mathis". In high school, Haslip created his first band called Soul Mine with his high school classmates, playing soul music at school dances and parties.

In the early 1970s, he toured alongside musicians, and moved to Los Angeles in 1976, where he played with guitarists Tommy Bolin and Harvey Mandel. in addition to the Yellowjackets, he has worked with, and is working with, many notable artists, including Jeff Lorber, Eric Marienthal, Bruce Hornsby, Rita Coolidge, Gino Vannelli, Kiss, Tommy Bolin, Allan Holdsworth, Marilyn Scott, Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, Donald Fagen and Anita Baker.

Haslip has released two solo albums: Arc, and Red Heat, with Joe Vannelli, in 2000. Haslip remains active with the Yellowjackets, is part of a combo with Allan Holdsworth, Alan Pasqua, and Chad Wackerman. Other collaborations include Jing Chi (with Robben Ford and Vinnie Colaiuta) and Modereko.

Jimmy Haslip was a member of rock group Blackjack from 1979-1980 with Bruce Kulick, Sandy Gennaro, and Michael Bolton. Haslip also toured with guitarist Allan Holdsworth and drummer Virgil Donati, playing at various venues.

Haslip is touring and promoting a new CD, Hacienda, an album he co-produced with Jeff Lorber.

In 2012, Jimmy took a year-long break—which later turned permanent—from the Yellowjackets to spend more time with his family and focus on other musical projects. He was replaced by the son of Jaco Pastorius, Felix. Regarding this topic, he stated: "The primary reason for my hiatus is so that I can spend more quality time with my family", says Haslip. "I spent ten months on the road last year. The break will give me an opportunity to spend more time at home as well as work on other artistic endeavors, such as independently producing projects". Haslip adds, "This was not a rash decision and there is no animosity by any means. Everybody is still friends and I'm excited for the band and their upcoming plans with Felix".

Personal life and interests

In a 1997 article, Haslip mentioned he has been a vegetarian since 1972 and leads a healthy life and enjoys exercising. He also said he has lost some of his music idols and mentors to drugs and violence including fellow bass player Jaco Pastorius.

In 2001, Haslip performed at a benefit concert for Union Station Foundation, a Pasadena, California-based organization for the homeless, alongside actors Hector Elizondo and Jeff Goldblum. Haslip also released a compilation album called "Junction" with all the proceeds going to the Union Station Foundation.

Haslip has a wife named Nancy, and they have three children. Haslip is also a fan of sports including football and baseball.

External links

• Official website
• JimmyHaslip.com outdated fan site.
• Yellowjackets Official Site
• Bass Musician Magazine interview
• Bass Frontiers interview