Stephan Micus Concerts

Experience Stephan Micus

Stephan Micus is a German bassist, composer, and instrument builder renowned for his globally-inspired and deeply meditative music. Beginning his career in free improvisation in the 1970s, Micus quickly developed a unique approach centered around acoustic bass – initially upright, then increasingly focusing on self-made fretless basses constructed from diverse woods. He’s released over 40 albums, frequently on the ECM label since 1984, establishing a consistent aesthetic characterized by spacious arrangements, subtle harmonic shifts, and a focus on timbre.

Micus’s compositions draw heavily from world music traditions – particularly those of Asia, Africa, and South America – not through direct quotation but through absorption and re-imagining. He often layers multiple bass lines creating polyphonic textures reminiscent of gamelan or kora ensembles. His work frequently features solo performances but also collaborations with musicians like Nguyên Lê and Mino Cinelu.

He’s received numerous awards including German Jazz Prize nominations and critical acclaim for albums like *Life is Light* (1993) and *Pasikonik* (2006).