Edo Castro

Castro is a SF Bay Area Native who grew up in the Haight-Ashbury during the 60’s. “ I was influenced by Sly Stone, Tower of Power, Cold Blood and Santana. There was so much music going on, it was pratically oozing out into the neighborhood. You couldn’t help not being affected,” Castro recalls.

He initially was a self-taught bassist but later attended the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. During his stay in Chicago he played with some of the finest young bloods of the music scene at that time including Jim Trumpeter, Fareed Haque, Mark Walker and Hassan Khan. Of course there were the jazz icons, Miles Davis Guitarist- Pete Cosey and drummer - Roy Haynes that Edo was fortunate enough to play with. Castro recalls,” After playing a set with Roy Haynes, there was a bunch of us standing around talking to him and out of the blue Roy handed me his card and said, ‘Man when you’re ready, come to New York and give me a call. That was the greatest stamp of approval in front of all my peers.’ I’ve yet to get to New York and collect on that call.”

He completed his studies earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1987 and continued to hone his craft in Chicago.

Phoenix, Castro's latest CD, released on May 26, 2006 to a cheering crowd at the Larkspur Cafe Theatre. Phoenix was produced by Ray Cooper on the new label, Passion Star Records, who Castro signed with recently. “The name Phoenix is not only a beautiful name, it's also the mythical representation of change or transformation. Phoenix is about transforming personal moments,” Castro explains. Many wonderful musicians are featured on this album including Mark Egan, former bassist with Pat Metheny, who has played on over 100 albums and is a guest artist on Phoenix.

In December 2003, Edo released his first solo effort of original music entitled “Edo.” It was produced by Drew Youngs and released under the fledgeling Mill Valley Label Earthwire Records. Seven of the 10 pieces were songs written using his myriad of 4,5,6,7,8 and 9 String fretted,fretless and Midi basses, later adding some percussion, keyboards and guitar for “Color.” “ The last 3 tunes were written on pieces of paper and handed out to whomever would play them. Luckily for me I got some of the finest players in the Bay Area to interpret my music,” Castro enthuses.

Since his return to the Bay Area, Edo Castro has put his signature on over 18 albums:p> Songs Inspired By Literature Chapter 2 (Track 6 with Deborah Pardes) A Blessing or a Curse by Deborah Pardes Party of one by Matt Donner of Donner Party Life Copies Movies by The Earthlings A Pleasant Fiction by Percy Howard and Meridiem Addicus Finch by Addicus Finch Dark Comes Light by Crowsong Times Present, Times Past by Coale Johnson The Adventures of Franz and Benoventure by Michael La Macchia Rockets to the New World by David Sobel Imaginary Line by Jill Knight So Far Gone by Eva Jay Fortune Suspiciously Blue by Eva Jay Fortune Louisiana Grail by Enna Deer Butterfly Blue by Emma King Shiver The Earthlings 2 Ilene Adar Chase Michaels.

Edo Castro has performed with David Amram, Mark Walker, Hassan Kahn, Pete Cosey, Roy Haynes, Fareed Haque, David Onderdonk, Nick Kitsos, Ed Thigpen, Johnny Griffin, Joel Harrison, Jim Trumpeter, Ian Doogle, Deborah Winters, Jill Knight, Eva Jay Fortune, Paul Van Wageningen, Drew Youngs, Caroline Aiken, Dan Zinn, Bethany Pickins, Michael La Macchia, Armando Peraza, Caren Armstrong, Percy Howard, Mike Molenda, Deborah Pardes, Joe Sonnefeldt, Stu Greenspan, David Sobel, Stu Hamm, Lorn Leber, George Brooks and many others.

JULY 15, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO, CA Edo Castro, accomplished composer and innovative bassist, has just released his second CD, entitled “Phoenix”, an atmospheric expansion and evolutionary outgrowth of his first successful release entitled simply “Edo”.

“This CD is my exploration in textures, revisiting some of my earlier compositions and covering other artist’s material,” explains Edo. It’s a bit further away from my first CD but not by much. What I was trying to do in my first CD was focused on spaced filled by the guitar. This is more about exploring space with other focuses and letting things grow and develop. “

Edo’s artistry elevates the sounds from unique multi-stringed basses, both fretted and fretless, into a palate from which intricate compositions flow  beckoning the listener to embark on an amazing and moving journey. In the last 15 years, he has contributed to over 20 albums, successfully released his debut album, Edo - seven years in the making - and frequently performs and records with local Bay Area musicians. His work is currently featured on many internet radio stations and music sites such as attenspanradio.com and smoothjazz.com and his interview in Bassics magazine this year included “Track 1 (46 West)” from his first CD, Edo, in the attached compilation CD.

“The name Phoenix is not only a beautiful name, it's also the mythical representation of change or transformation,” the soft-spoken Edo stated thoughtfully. “I was in a music store one day when I heard the first phrases of the song “San Lorenzo” from Pat Metheny’s White Album. I was mesmerized; time stood still and I found myself in another space. Phoenix is about transforming personal moments.”

“In addition,” he adds, “the material on this album provides the listener with an experience of how I work capturing something ‘in the moment’. I turn my equipment on and strap on a bass with no intent except to explore musical ideas. That's how I came up with my arrangement on the album for ‘Amazing Grace’. I didn't start out thinking I was going to make an arrangement it just happened.”

Many wonderful musicians are featured on this album including Mark Egan, former bassist with Pat Metheny, who has played on over 100 albums and is a guest artist on Phoenix. In keeping with the new explorations and textures in Phoenix, Edo surrounds himself with all new accompanists, with drummer Paul Van Wageningen the only exception [“I love his playing and have a good working musical relationship. Why mess with a good thing?” says Edo.] Also joining them is Pedal Steel player, Rob Powell.

Edo’s fan base stretches the globe (with sales in Norway, Switzerland, Germany, France, Japan, Spain, Argentina, Italy and England) where he has found praise and recognition for his unique musical talents and his joyous and transfixing compositions. In addition to his decades of playing experience and recording success, Edo studied at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, where he once sat in on a set with percussion legend Roy Haynes. Following the session, Haynes handed Edo his card and said “Give me a call.”

More information on Edo Castro can be found on his website:
http://www.edocastro.com and http://www.passionstarmusic.com

Contact: Lisa Star
Passion Star Records
Phone 415-342-3773
E-mail lisastar@passionstarmusic.com