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James "Kermit" DriscollSmith, Steve. "Driscoll, Kermit". Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 10 December 2022. (born March 4, 1956) is an American jazz bassist. He is known for his long association with guitarist Bill Frisell in the 1980s and '90s. Driscoll has worked in many genres and music settings: Broadway, classical, jazz, folk, rock, film, and television. He has taught at SUNY Purchase College and Sarah Lawrence College.
He resumed high school at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, then attended the University of Miami, where one of his teachers was Jaco Pastorius. At Berklee College of Music in 1975 he became friends with guitarist Bill Frisell, and they often performed locally in Boston. Driscoll cites Pastorius and Frisell as two of the biggest influences on his life. Around 1976, he and his roommate, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, and Frisell found work in a band called the Boston Connection. According to Frisell, band members dressed in orange polyester suits and played disco.
In May 1978, Driscoll traveled to Belgium to play with Stephan Houben who was working with Frisell. With this group he made his first recording, Mauve Traffic, with Frisell, Houben, Greg Badolato, Vinton Johnson, and Michel Herr. The album included a composition by Driscoll entitled "Doggone it". In January, 1980, he moved to New York City, and during the next year toured with Buddy Rich.
From 1986 to 1996, he was a member of Bill Frisell's quartet. From 1990 to 1995, he was in the group New and Used with trumpeter Dave Douglas and saxophonist Andy Laster.
In 2005, he was diagnosed with advanced Lyme disease. Friends performed benefit concerts. Colauita helped gather donations and encouraged Driscoll to record. Reveille, his first album as a leader, was recorded with Colaiuta, Frisell, and pianist Kris Davis and released in 2010.
On January, 28th, 2019 Driscoll was accused of beating his wife and charged with aggravated assault, violating a restraining order, false imprisonment, hindering his arrest, obstruction and harassment. This was after being removed from a Cliffside Park, NJ home by the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team.
With New and Used
With John Hollenbeck
With Joel Harrison
With Gerry Hemingway
With David Johansen
With Mick Rossi
With John Zorn
With others
Discography
As leader
As sideman
With Bill Frisell
External links
Categories: Official Website, 1956 Births, American Jazz Bass Guitarists, American Male Bass Guitarists, American Jazz Double-bassists, American Male Double-bassists, Berklee College Of Music Alumni, Interlochen Center For The Arts Alumni, Living People, People From Kearney, Nebraska, University Of Miami Alumni, 20th-century American Bass Guitarists, Jazz Musicians From Nebraska, 21st-century American Double-bassists, 20th-century American Male Musicians, 21st-century American Male Musicians, American Male Jazz Musicians
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