Adam Ben Ezra | Heavy Drops | February 28, 2025
For the past decade, double-bass phenomenon and multi-instrumentalist Adam Ben Ezra has been redefining the double-bass and inspiring thousands around the world with his musicianship and unique approach to the instrument. Joining forces with celebrated drummer Michael Olivera (Alfredo Rodriguez, Richard Bona), Ben Ezra’s upcoming release marks a personal creative departure; a self-produced collection of ten original pieces putting the versatile sound of his bass in the spotlight.
Heavy Drops is set to release on February 28th.
Ben Ezra began playing music from the age of five, teaching himself a wide array of instruments before the introduction to the double bass at the age of 16 that changed his life, instantly falling in love with the instrument’s rich timbre.
Drawing inspiration from heroes as diverse as Bach, Jaco Pastorius, Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea, and incorporating elements of Jazz, Funk, Latin and Mediterranean music into his playing, Ben Ezra has gone on to enjoy a successful international career in music; a bonafide internet star with over 20 million views on his videos to date, he has performed hundreds of shows around the world and shared bills with the likes of Snarky Puppy, Pat Metheny, and Victor Wooten to name a few.
Relocating to the countryside of Southern Portugal in 2022, the newfound peace and picturesque setting spurred Ben Ezra into a period of creative composition, writing a large number of brief one minute pieces for solo bass which he used to reach new audiences online. Performing them to a camera with no looping or overdubs created an outlet for Ben Ezra to explore his instrument’s possibilities, using extended techniques such as self-accompaniment using the body of the bass as a percussion instrument.
Teaming up with drummer Michael Olivera in Madrid, the pair felt an instant musical connection led by conversation, interaction, flow and groove. Recording the foundation of the record live across three days, Ben Ezra then overdubbed additional layers of bass, vocals, flute and synthesizers at his home studio to support the melodic content and enrich the sound.
From the Classical influenced melodic etude ‘Portrait of Natalie’, the flamenco melodies of ‘Taming The Bull’, the latin-infused title track, and deep jazz fusion pocket of ‘Hazy Steps’, the record captures Ben Ezra’s driven sense of curiosity, the broad scope of his creativity, and the seemingly boundless potential of an under-appreciated instrument.
Line up
Adam Ben Ezra | Double Bass,
Keyboards, Vocals, Flute
Michael Olivera Garcia | Drums, Percussion
Omer Mor | Electric Guitar (Track 2)
Track Listing
Heavy Drops
Play It Cool
Cosmic Nomad
Rise Up
Free Fly
Hazy Steps
Portrait of Natalie
Taming the Bull
Escape Route
Lazy Butterfly
PR Quotes
Jazzwise (UK)
“stimulating listening for bassists and drummers everywhere… go see the gigs for maximum impact“
Paris-move (FR)
“a rare musician who seamlessly transcends stylistic boundaries, redefining the double bass with boundless creativity”
Jazz Mania (BE)
“Original, contemporary and somewhat avant-garde while remaining fluid, the musical result nevertheless brings us back to the foundations of jazz and funk, thanks to a multitude of characteristic sounds”
Backseat Mafia (UK)
“stacked with great tunes, catchy, immediate and pulsing with an infectious vitality”
La Habitacion del Jazz (ES)
“I have rarely, if ever, seen the double bass raised to this level of sound and rhythm; previously untried possibilities of great creativity”
Jazznyt (NO)
“nerdy delights beyond measure. Adam Ben Ezra’s superior technique and instrumental blistering in strident currents are a pleasure”
Blue in Green (UK)
“‘Heavy Drops’ seems to relish the versatility of a creative space somewhere between free jazz and 90s hip-hop resulting in a thrilling endorsement for contemporary jazz and Adam Ben Ezra’s continued musical explorations.”
Lira (SE)
“Adam Ben Ezra not only plays heavy bass lines but also chords and riffs, melodic phrases in the high register and drumming out rhythms on different parts of the double bass body – and often all at the same time. ”
Jazz Journal (UK)
“Just from hearing the opening title track you know it’s going to be amazing”
Jazzfilts (NL)
“wonderfully recorded… a treat for anyone who wants to hear the double bass resonate beautifully through the room”
Era Jazzu (PL)
“continues to push the boundaries of the instrument”
Esensja (PL)
“the music on the album sparkles with many colours”
Jazz Views (UK)
“What makes HEAVY DROPS so engaging isn’t just the technical skill, though it’s definitely evident, but how enjoyable the music is to listen to”
The Walker (JP)
“features his extensive technical skills on bass, with the final track, “Lazy Butterfly,” showcasing his deep emotional connection to music”
UK Vibe (UK)
“Joyful, spirited and enigmatic“
Jazz-fun (DE)
“Despite its rhythmic complexity, density, and intensity, the music remains accessible, fresh, and contemporary. An album with the potential to become a global hit.”
Wilderness Viking (NO)
“If you tend to enjoy instrumental jazz, and you love infectious grooves where the double bass, drums and percussion go to town in a playful, uplifting and vibrantly positive manner, then this is an album that most certainly warrants more than a few moments of your time.”
Cuttings
