Michael Manring

The Profile

Michael Manring is an American electric bassist known for innovative techniques—tapping, harmonics, and rapid on-the-fly retuning—and for his long association with the Windham Hill label. His catalog spans New Age, jazz, rock, and fusion, from early Windham Hill albums to the hard-edged crossover of Thonk (1994) and the focused solo statement Soliloquy (2005). He has collaborated with Alex Skolnick and Tim Alexander in the group Attention Deficit.

Official bassist for Windham Hill; studied with Jaco Pastorius; cited influences include James Jamerson and Jaco Pastorius; employs harmonics, tapping, and extensive in-track tuning changes; collaborated with Alex Skolnick and Tim Alexander (Attention Deficit).

Two positive reviews spotlight Michael Manring’s genre-leaping bass craft. Thonk (1994) fuses New Age roots with hard rock energy, featuring guests like Alex Skolnick and Steve Morse. Soliloquy (2005) tightens focus into edgy, rock-tinged jazz for solo bass. Critics praise his tapping, harmonics, and on-the-fly tuning changes, while noting Pastorius and Jamerson as touchstones. Overall verdict: innovative, musical, and worth repeat listens.