Felton Crews
Chicago
Chicago has nurtured many great musicians, and at the top of that list is bassist Felton Crews. One of the most unique and innovative bass players in music today, his signature style has been described as free, open and melodic. This talented musician has shared the stage with some of the world’s most respected entertainers. His first professional gig came when he was still in high school and asked to back up Minnie Ripperton. From then on his successes have been as continuous as notes on a scale. In 1980 he was picked up by legendary Miles Davis. Miles called on Felton to do his Man with the Horn album. This affiliation continued for several years. During this time Felton composed songs for several different projects with Miles. In 1986, Felton toured worldwide with Miles on the Warner Brothers Tutu tour. This tour led him to share the stage with such greats as George Duke, David Sanborn, Mike Stern, Robben Ford, and Carlos Santana. Felton appeared with Miles on many TV shows such as Dick Cavett, Crime Story, Amnesty International, and also various European and South American programs.
At the same time that Felton was working with Miles he was also working with other well known artists. He recorded with Ramsey Lewis, Randy Hall, Robert Irving, and the Dells. He was also performing with Otis Clay, Otis Rush, Sun Seals, Junior Wells, Billy Branch and a host of others.
Since 1992 Felton has been touring and recording with multi-Grammy Award winning harmonica great Charlie Musselwhite. The band won the 1995 W.C. Handy Award in the category of Best Blues Band. With this band Felton has entertained with Dan Akroyd, Bruce Willis, John Hammond, and Bonnie Raitt. He also adorns the cover of Maria Muldaur’s latest CD, Meet Me Where They Play the Blues, Telarc Records.
His refusal to be categorized has led him to a pioneering collaborative that has blurred the boundaries of R&B, Funk, Jazz and Fusion. He transcends stylistic classification. Felton is a kaleidoscope of musical sensibility.These days his instrument of choice is a signature six string Felton Crews –Crews Missile 6 Bass, created by Japanese guitar manufacturer PGM. This is a testament to the music respectability he has gained as a world class musician.
While continuing his musical touring his future plans are to record a CD of original compositions. Acting has also sparked his interest of late and he has been on several auditions. Additionally, he is collaborating on a new web site dedicated to musicians and true lovers of music. This site will include interviews, a music clinic and an insiders view of music related stories and information.
We invite you to keep in touch on a regular basis for an update on Felton’s ever changing and exciting career. Thanks for stopping by.
Felton Crews’s tracks
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