John Onder
John Onder
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John Onder's first vocal album, Just What I Needed, is out now! The album is full of catchy tunes, phenomenal guitar playing and beautiful harmony singing by John and his daughter, Adrianne. The pair will perform the songs from this album at Concerts on the Dock at Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment in Huntsville, Alabama, on September 9, 2022 at 6pm.
Artwork by Adrianne Onder
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Faith, Hope, Love, Passion, & Pain is the debut album by veteran bass phenom John Onder. The all-instrumental set is a southern fusion extravaganza, reflecting the influence of his regional predecessors like Sea Level, the Dixie Dregs, Glenn Phillips Band and the various backing ensembles for Col. Bruce Hampton. Each song is almost classical in its construction, with sophisticated rhythms, phrasings and textures. They have movements, expansive shifts in emotional color and theme, and passages drenched in jazz, funk, gospel, roots rock, and rhythm and blues. A few years ago, Onder decided to write an entire album on the bass, although some of the songs go back many years. He already had some bits and pieces worked out when he invited producer Jim Cavender to oversee the project. Together, they recruited some of Huntsville, Alabama’s most talented musicians to join in. The result is a high-spirited collection of tunes brought to life by organist Newt Johnson, drummers Mike Dendy and Scot Holder, violinist Lynnece Henry, guitarists Microwave Dave Gallaher, Hunter Copeland, Jason Humphress and Cavender himself. Rounding out the sound is Tom Barker on harmonica, Billy Bargetzi on trombone, Ken Watters on trumpet, and Steve Motz on tenor sax. Onder’s playing, though, that’s the thing. With nothing but his hands and bass, he evokes a myriad of images and moods. His soloing is at times reminiscent of fiery flamenco guitar, while elsewhere it just gives up the funk. It is not necessary to know that on “AMF” the bass line and chordal comping behind the organ solo are being played simultaneously by Onder, but it’s fun to keep that in mind. There are many such delights to be found here. Artwork by John Onder |
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A much-sought-after session musician and self-taught bassist who exploded onto the music scene in the 80’s, John Onder was written up in Guitar Player magazine only two years after taking up the bass. He is now a music teacher and performs in the north Alabama area, while still finding time to write and record his original music. He has recently taught himself to play guitar. Onder has recorded with artists such as Michael Schenker, Joey Tafolla, Craig Erickson, Tony Spinner and Artension. He’s proud to have worked with fellow session players Aynsley Dunbar, Michael Manring and Deen Castronovo. He has also toured with country vocal group The Forester Sisters. John appears on the Startlingly Fresh Records releases Hunter Copeland's The Boom Boom Room, Alan Little's, While They Were Sleeping and Duke Way's Just Sayin'. John’s musical interests run the gamut from southern fusion to gospel to pop and country. He is in the planning stages of his third solo album, which will feature vocals along with his amazing guitar and bass work. |
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"Michael Manring and John Onder are Troy's biggest influences on bass. Their playing speaks for itself and not only are they amazing bass players, they're some of the coolest cats you can ever chat with." - Jasun Tipton while being interviewed by metalunderground.com about Abnormal Thought Patterns' album, Altered States Of Consciousness, which Onder played on |
Just What I Needed Album Personnel:
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Faith, Hope, Love, Passion, & Pain Album Personnel:
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John has plenty of mind-bending performance videos on YouTube, so be sure to check them out! |
| StartlinglyFreshRecords.com |