After many years of college, though still with no music degree to speak of, (sorry mom and dad) Michael Papillo came upon the double bass perhaps by default. Although he had played electric bass in punk, rock, funk and blues bands from the time he was twelve it wasn’t until the ripe old age of 25 that he picked up what has turned out to be his destiny, the double bass. One day, frustrated with the relentless pursuit of pop stardom (and after a night of rather heavy drinking) he left his house with all of his four hundred or so pop cds and went to the local music store to trade them in. What he got in return would change his life forever…Miles, Coltrane, Monk, and Mingus…all the great legends that he had only heard in passing. Thus, for the first time in his life, he was immersed in something with history, prestige, and culture… not to mention a not so distant future of poverty and mishap.
Originally from a tiny hick town of red necks, he has reinvented himself to be from Santa Cruz, California (this is where he first picked up the double bass). In Santa Cruz, Michael was the leader of the jazz band Pick Up Sticks, which was a featured band at the Monterey Jazz Festival (2001) alongside Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, and many others. As well as being a member of 3 Leg Torso, Michael is a member of the Klezmer extravaganza, Klezmocracy and of the soulful radio wonder band, Amelia. He has toured and performed with the band Pink Martini and is a sideman for many of the wonderful jazz musicians in Portland.
You can send Michael an e here: doublebass@comcast.net
For booking or other information, contact Jessica Beer
Phone (503) 235 0355 \ email: jessica@3legtorso.com
