Foley (musician)


Foley is an American bassist, drummer and singer who is best known as the "lead bassist" with Miles Davis from 1987 until 1991.

Music career

Foley was born in Columbus, Ohio. Growing up he listened to Sly and the Family Stone, and after his mother bought him a bass he started playing with local bands. In 1987, he had a phone conversation with Marcus Miller, then Miles Davis's bass player, and afterward sent him a tape of his music. Weeks later he got a call from Davis, who'd heard the tape and asked Foley to send him a copy: Miles Davis was looking for a guitarist, but at that time Foley had been working on getting his bass to sound like a guitar. By May 1987 Foley was touring with Davis, and played with him until the fall of 1991.
According to author George Cole, Davis gave Foley advice late in Foley's tenure with his band that changed the bassist's musical approach:
In 1993 he played a lead bass solo on Mint Condition's R&B Top 40 hit "So Fine" and the interlude track "Gumbo" from their album From the Mint Factory.
In 1993, during his time at Motown, Foley released 7 Years Ago...Directions in Smart-Alec Music. The album included "If It's Positive".
The Cité de la Musique showed a Miles Davis exhibition from October 16, 2009, to January 17, 2010, that included Foley's "lead bass".

Technique

Foley tuned his bass nearly an octave higher than a standard bass guitar using piccolo bass strings and processed it through various effects, allowing him to sound like a lead guitarist.

Discography

As leader

  • 7 Years Ago... Directions in Smart-Alec Music
  • Smart Alec Music?
  • Life without Dat Vol.1
  • IN My Life
  • Tryin Mai Nerves
  • ''The Lost Sessions: LA''

As sideman

With George ClintonHey, Man, Smell My Finger – rec. 1992–93George Clinton and His Gangsters of Love
With Miles DavisAmandla – rec. 1988–89Miles in Paris Dingo – rec. 1990Black Devil Live – From His Last Concert in Avignon Miles in Montreux Live Around the World – rec. 1988–91Miles And His Group At La Villette Live in Munich The Complete Miles Davis at Montreux Munich Concert Time After Time. Live at the Philharmonic Concert Hall The Very Best Of Miles Davis That's What Happened Live in Germany – rec. 1987Miles! The Definitive Miles Davis at Montreux DVD Collection 1986-1991 The Warner Years Merci Miles! Live at Vienne – rec. 1991
With Paolo RustichelliCapri Mystic Jazz
With Keith StatenTake Me Now Don't Tell Me That Break Your Body
With Lenny WhiteRenderors Of Spirit Edge Lenny White Live – live rec. 1997
With others

As an engineer

With Vanessa Williams