My Story
Hello, I am Michael Brent Cline - the Bass Slinger. I have been playing electric bass for forty years in various styles covering rock, metal, funk, jazz, folk, and country. I play fretted and fretless electric basses, have studio experience, read music, and can provide background vocals (baritone).
I grew up playing bass and tenor saxophone in Los Alamos, NM, and performed in various rock / metal, country, and jazz bands (I was lucky enough to make the 1989 All-State Jazz band on bass). I continued playing bass in various bands (including the UC Davis Jazz Band) in the Sacramento area in Northern California while attending college and working. I returned to Los Alamos, NM, in 1999 and later moved to Santa Fe, NM, in 2003. I have been playing bass in the local music scene as time and career permitted in several blues, folk, and rock bands. I made the Best of Santa Fe with the band Chango in 2019 and have also been the pit bassist for three musical with the Santa Fe Playhouse.
I retired from my professional career as a mechanical engineer in 2024 and am excited to pursue music full-time moving forward.
What I Offer
I bring a positive energy and creative professionalism to any musical endeavor. In addition to singing and learning new music very quickly, I also have excellent arranging skills. While primarily a finger style player, I am very comfortable with slap technique and can play with a pick if required (in addition to advanced techniques - tapping, harmonics, etc.). Finally, I have professional equipment and an extensive effects collections (for the artist looking for something different).