Victor Wooten

Victor Lemonte Wooten, born September 11, 1964, is an acclaimed American bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Celebrated for his groundbreaking skills and musical versatility, Wooten is often hailed as one of the most influential bassists in the world.

Early Life and Career

Victor was born into a musical family, the youngest of five brothers. At the tender age of two, he began learning the bass under the guidance of his oldest brother, Regi. By five, Victor was already performing with the Wooten Brothers Band. This family ensemble included Regi on guitar, Roy on drums, Rudy on saxophone, Joseph on keys, and Victor on bass. They showcased their talents across various genres and even opened for renowned artists such as Curtis Mayfield and War.

Musical Style and Technique

Victor Wooten is renowned for his distinctive bass techniques, particularly his rapid-fire up-and-down thumb strokes, which allow him to create a fusion of complex sounds. This skill enriches his ability to perform solo and adapt to a wide range of genres including classical, jazz, funk, and folk.

Career Highlights

• Founding member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones since 1988.
• Released an array of solo albums beginning with "A Show of Hands" in 1996.
• Worked with a spectrum of artists across various musical genres.
• Performed as part of the super-band SMV with Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller.
• Played bass for the metal band Nitro from 2017 to 2019.

Awards and Recognition

Victor Wooten's ingenuity and artistry in music have earned him:

• Five Grammy Awards.
• Three titles of Bass Player of the Year awarded by Bass Player magazine.
• A position at No. 10 in Rolling Stone's Top 10 Bassists of All Time in 2011.

Discography

Victor Wooten has an extensive discography that includes:

• "A Show of Hands" (1996)
• "What Did He Say?" (1997)
• "Yin-Yang" (1999)
• "Soul Circus" (2005)
• "Palmystery" (2008)
• "Words & Tones" (2012)
• "Sword & Stone" (2012)
• "Trypnotyx" (2017)

Other Projects

• Founder of Vix Records, the label where his albums are released.
• Author of novels, "The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music" and its sequel "The Spirit of Music: The Lesson Continues".
• Organizer of the Victor Wooten/Berklee Summer Bass Workshop and operates the Center for Music and Nature near Nashville, Tennessee.

Instruments

Victor primarily plays Fodera basses, including his own signature model. Notably, his 1983 Monarch Deluxe features a Kahler Tremolo System model 2400 bridge.

Philosophy and Teaching

Victor Wooten approaches music education with innovation, strongly advocating the role of nature in musical growth. He encourages students to open their minds, as encapsulated in his philosophy: "If you're not inspired, your eyes are closed."

Personal Life

Offstage, Victor is a dedicated family man, married with four children, and he practices Wing Chun martial arts alongside honing nature survival skills, particularly Tracking.

Spanning over four decades, Victor Wooten's illustrious career has significantly redefined the dynamic presence of the bass guitar. His technical brilliance, diversity in music, and forward-thinking contributions to education have elevated him to legendary status in the modern music scene.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Wooten
• https://www.victorwooten.com/discography-notes/victor-wooten-sword-and-stone
• https://www.innerviews.org/inner/wooten-1
• https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/victor-wooten/
• https://www.victorwooten.com/bio
• https://music.apple.com/ng/artist/victor-wooten/4590999
• https://blog.zzounds.com/2016/05/10/interview-with-victor-wooten/
• https://college.berklee.edu/people/victor-wooten-artist-in-residence
• https://www.victorwooten.com/victors-discography