In demand as a creative Double Bass session player and touring musician. Fluent in all styles and flexible when it comes to working from complex charted arrangements or creating original parts by ear. I've played on many albums, appeared in theatre productions, on television and toured worldwide.
My background and main reputation is as a jazz Bassist, composer and a mainstay of the London jazz scene, having played with many of the pre-eminent jazz musicians in the UK and Europe including Julian Arguelles, Marius Neset, Gwilym Simcock, Gwyneth Herbert, and Yazz Ahmed amongst many others. I'm also in demand for a broad range of different ensembles, playing with musicians from everywhere from South America to the Balkans. I've also worked in the theatre, as a session musician, and toured with singer songwriters. Whilst my main specialization is jazz, I often play with the bow (arco). I also work as an electric bass player, composer, arranger, and often contribute guitar parts and arrangements to collaborative singer-songwriter projects.
I'm looking forward to working with you and aim to find just the right sound and bass part to compliment your project.
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
17 Reviews - 2 Repeat Clients
Endorse Dave Manington
check_circleVerifiedOnce again, Dave gave me a performance that was better than my demo. Dave communicates very well and he delivers his work on time. You will not be disappointed if you hire him.
For this rating, I would give him ten stars if I could!
Thanks Mate!- check_circleVerified
Very pleasant to work with Dave.
He remains very professional and patient with me.
I'm very happy to be working on this album with him. - check_circleVerified
Just great to work with Dave!
Professional and extremely pleasant.
I'm looking forward to recording a whole album with him. - check_circleVerified
Quick, affordable, engaged and extremely professional.
Dave delivered EXACTLY what I needed to complete this track. THANKS!!! - check_circleVerified
Great, fast and efficient.
Exactly what I asked for in a very timely manner.
Thank you Dave and see you in the next round! - check_circleVerified
Dave is great to work with, completely nailed the track on the first try in a timely manner.
I am so glad to find him!!!
Our collaboration will continue!!! 
check_circleVerifiedGreat product and always a pleasure to work with I highly recommend Dave.
- check_circleVerified
Dave was a pleasure to work with. Quick reply and great product, very talented. I highly recommend him.
check_circleVerifiedGreat experience working with Dave. He played exactly what I asked for and provided several takes to choose between. Thanks again!
check_circleVerifiedDave was great! Fast and beautiful music!
- check_circleVerified
Dave provided a selection of great sounding double bass tracks over a challenging odd time background track.
Prompt and easy to work with! Highly recommended!!
check_circleVerifiedIt was a seamless experience working with Dave. I sent him my track and asked for Double Bass parts according to my requirement and genre of the song. Dave sent the tracks way before time and it perfectly fit the style and uplifted the entire song. He also sent in additional parts and gave suggestions on how to use it in my project. Dave has offered value beyond the price he charged and I strongly recommend him for future projects on SoundBetter.
I’ve worked with Dave on countless recording sessions over many years. He’s a hugely versatile and insightful musician and always a pleasure to work with. I can’t recommend him highly enough.
I've worked a lot with Dave over the last decade, in jazz clubs, schools and concert halls. He is a brilliant bass player (double and electric), reader and improviser. He's also a really great guy to have on a session; relaxed, on it, creative, super friendly and gets on with everyone. Whether it's jazz, commercial, cross arts or education Dave's your man!
Dave was reliable, professional and kept me updated to ensure he met my requirements. Dave is also a friendly, approachable guy to work with. Highly recommend!
I have worked with Dave on and off for many years, and can not recommend him highly enough. He’s is my no.1 go-to bassist for live work, session work and everything in between - primarily Jazz, but also lots of pop and rock. As well as being a terrific player, Dave is also a first class *musician*. Great ears, extremely versatile and adaptable, and he has a deep understandIng of a vast range of music. He’s also an excellent sightreader, and a very useful guitarist! I am very pleased to be able to recommend Dave.
As a songwriter and jazz vocalist, I couldn't recommend a better bass player ( and multi instrumentalist ) than Dave. It's an absolute joy to work with him not just as a musician but as an arranger and creative artist.It's no surprise that he is one of the most sought after musicians around, truly!
Lara Eidi
Jazz Singer/ Songwriter
- Bass UprightAverage price - $70 per song
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $70 per song
- Bass FretlessAverage price - $70 per song
Very happy to do a revision or 2 for free if reasonable. Can also send a few quick demos of ideas for you to choose your favourite. Typically turn around in less than a week.
- Norah Jones
- Joni Mitchell
- Miles Davis
- Hungarian Double Bass
- DPA bass mic
- Rode Condensor mics
- Ken Smith Electric Bass
- Focusrite Scarlett interface
- Ibanez fretless Electric bass
- Telecaster
- Takemine acoustic guitar
- Mandolin
