Michael Manring is one of the most extraordinary bassists in the world — a musician whose technical brilliance is matched only by the depth of his artistic vision. I have had the privilege of working with Michael on several of my albums, and our musical conversations have always gone far beyond the merely musical.
In this interview, we explored the arc of Michael's remarkable career: from his early studies to his years with Windham Hill Records, from his breakthrough solo work to his ongoing explorations of the bass as a solo instrument capable of expressing the full range of human experience.
Shambhu: Michael, you've spent your career pushing the boundaries of what the bass can do. Where does that drive come from?
Michael Manring: I think it comes from a deep curiosity about music itself — about what sound can express and how it can connect people. The bass has so much unexplored territory, and that has always excited me. There's always another layer to discover.
Shambhu: You've played on so many remarkable recordings. Are there particular collaborations that stand out as transformative for you?
Michael: Every collaboration teaches you something. But some of the deepest ones have been with musicians who play from a very meditative, inward place. Those experiences really changed how I think about space and silence in music.
Shambhu: What advice would you give to young bass players who want to develop their own voice?
Michael: Listen to everything. Not just bass players — listen to singers, pianists, string quartets, traditional music from cultures around the world. Your voice develops from everything you absorb. And practice deeply, not just technically — practice listening to yourself, really hearing what you're playing.
It was a rich and inspiring conversation, and I am grateful to Michael for his generosity and openness. His music continues to expand my own sense of what is possible.