Artie Langston has been a professional musician all his life, performing with ensembles ranging from symphony orchestras to jazz groups in over a dozen foreign countries, on several network television specials, and at the US White House and Carnegie Hall. He's included in the book New Orleans Jazz: A Family Album by Al Rose.

He has worked with artists such as Snookum Russell, Louie Jordan, "Fatha" Hines, Lee Konitz , Eddie Harris, Cannonball Adderly, Rassasahn Roland Kirk, Sarah Vaughn, Mel Torme, Maryanne Price, Alan Toussaint, Stephan Grapelli, Bob Wilbur, Herlin Riley, Shannon Powell, Pony Poindexter, Tony Horowitz, Al Hirt, Buddy DeFranco, Woody Herman, Emily Remler, James Booker, Lisa Pollard, Dan Hicks, Lucinda Williams, "Gatemouth" Brown, and New Orleans famous Olympia Brass Band to name but a few.

Besides performing, Artie has also taught music on the university level, given jazz clinics and lectures, and been a music writer for several newspapers and magazines.  He works as a music copyist as well, using Coda Finale software.

For most of his adult life, Langston has lived in New Orleans, LA and San Francisco, CA.

Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in music, he holds a masters degree in Jazz Studies from Webster University, and is an alumni member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.  A member of the American Federation of Musicians since 1968, he also belongs to ASCAP, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, International Association of Jazz Educators, American String Teachers Association, and International Society of Bassists.

Artie is a licensed private pilot (single engine land, seaplane and glider), holds amateur radio license KD0GY and is a  rescue certified SCUBA diver. 

What A Long Strange Trip It's Been!

Born in Fort Worth, TX, Artie Langston was raised by his maternal grandparents in Jefferson City, MO, starting violin when he was seven years old. In high school, he began playing upright and electric bass, tuba, trombone, 'cello, alto sax and piano.

Also showing a keen interest in science, aviation and electronics, Artie won a special NASA High School Science Award. Washing dishes to pay for flying lessons, he received his private pilot license upon turning 16 his junior year. He was active in Scouting and DeMolay.

When he first heard the phenomenal bass playing of Ray Brown, Langston knew exactly what he would be doing for the rest of his life. At age 15, he had a chance to meet and get a lesson with Ray. Brown was encouraging, and it galvanized Artie to focus on the bass, taking lessons with classmate Jim Hackman, a wonderful bassist who also introduced him to the music of John Coltrane. 

His grandfather had passed away, but Artie's grandmother, Florine Langley, was incredibly supportive of his musical career and continued to encourage him her whole life. Among fond high school memories are attending the Stan Kenton Clinic in Los Angles, and the Mid-West Music and Art Camp at the University of Kansas, where Artie received scholarships.

Graduating from Jefferson City Senior High, Artie made his first real professional appearance at 17 with Buddy DeFranco and the Glenn Miller Orchestra, filling in on tour for Jim Widner.

His university studies began at Central Missouri State University studying bass and 'cello with Dr. Robert Stuart, as well as composition and piano with Dr. Donald Bohlen, a disciple of Roger Sessions.

In 1972 Langston was selected a Kansas City Jazz Festival College All-Star, and began doing steady gigs, shows and studio work with many of the top players in Kansas City, including Mike Ning, Steve Lockwood, and The Pete Eye Trio.  

He was fortunate to meet and get some lessons with Walter Booker, who was then bassist with the Cannonball Adderly Quintet, and after hearing Artie play, Walter and Cannonball both encouraged Artie to pursue music professionally. He was also lucky enough to meet and play for another of his heroes, Rassasahn Roland Kirk, who also offered his encouragement. Langston decided to leave university to perform full time in 1973.

Way Down and Yonder!

After touring with various bands, including a short stint with Woody Herman, Artie spent time in San Francisco, playing club dates with such artists as jazz saxophonist Pony Poindexter and blues guitarist Mike Bloomfield. He studied doublebass with Phil Karp, principal bassist with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, and classical Indian music at the Ali Akbar Khan school. Langston also recorded duets with M. Koga, the Japanese shakuhatchi flute master.

While performing in New Orleans in 1974, Snookum Russell asked Artie to join his band, beginning a life-long love affair with the French Quarter and the culture of the city that became his home town.

 Isaac "Snookum" Russell had nurtured such great artists as Ray Brown, J.J. Johnson, Fats Navarro, and a score of others. He was a musical father to Artie as well, encouraging him to never quit playing, no matter what the adversity.

At this time Bourbon Street was alive with Jazz and Rhythm & Blues and abounded with steady gigs and late night jam sessions. Many of the masters of the New Orleans Jazz scene Artie worked with became friends, such as Danny Barker, Louis Cotrell, Alvin Alcorn, "Frog" Joseph, Plas and Justin Adams, Teddy Riley, Earl Turbington, Freddie Lonzo, George Brunis, Wallace Davenport, and Freddy Kohlman. He also worked occasionally with guitarist Emily Remler, and with R&B greats such as Professor Longhair, David Lastie, Smokey Johnson, Lloyd Price, and Ernie K. Doe. Langston was one of the few musicians to work regularly with New Orleans famous Olympia Brass Band, playing dozens of authentic jazz funerals.

After a year, at Snookum's urging, Langston joined Louie Jordan, who was opening a new show in New Orleans with trumpeter Wallace Davenport, of Count Basie and Ray Charles fame, as musical director. Truly a living legend, Louie had wonderful stories to tell of playing with Chick Webb, singing with Ella Fitzgerald, and his many years as one of music's biggest stars with his Timpani Five. 

When Louie's show closed, Artie worked with pianist Maurice Waller (son of Fats Waller and a fine musician in his own right), toured with the Dukes of Dixieland, played the Bourbon Street clubs and riverboats, and did shows and recording sessions, including several major motion pictures and network television specials. During this time, he studied bass with Robert Rhoe, principal bass of the  New Orleans Symphony Orchestra, and with guitarist/bassist Bill Huntington.

Langston sometimes returned to San Francisco, playing clubs dates and doing recording sessions or pit orchestra work. He also performed with the popular "Bourbon Street Irregulars", playing street music for hundreds of people.

Dividing time between New Orleans and San Francisco, Artie continued performing and recording with various artists, as well as teaching privately, through the 70's and 80's in the US, Europe, Japan, and the Caribbean. He also studied doublebass with  Jim Knutson, principal bass, The Minnesota Orchestra, Ron Simon principal bass, Seattle Symphony Orchestra, and with jazz great Richard Davis.

The Journey Continues!

In order to be closer to his grandmother, who was then nearly 90 years old, Artie Langston returned to Missouri and finished the bachelors degree in doublebass performance in 1988 from the University of Missouri, Columbia, studying with Sue Stubbs. 

During this time he continued to perform and travel as well, doing tours of Europe, Japan and the U.S. with various artists.

For several years, he assisted Ms. Stubbs in conducting the Missouri Bass Camp, a summer music workshop and master class for young bassists. 

In 1990 Langston received a masters degree in Jazz Studies from Webster University, St. Louis, where he was also an adjunct professor. There he studied with Henry Lowe, principal bassist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, taught privately, and performed.

Following a six week tour of Japan with Wes Mix, and a trip to Great Britain with Stella Parton, Artie did a brief stint in Branson, MO, accompanying such artists as Patty Page, Rudy Gatlin, The Four Lads, The Ink Spots, and others. Langston then left (or escaped!), to do a season as a featured performer along with Phil Urso (of Chet Baker fame) on Holland America Line's "Salute to Jazz" cruises, on the ships Maasdam and Noordam.

From 1994-95, Artie Langston held the position of Instructor of  Jazz Bass at the University of Texas, Austin, and did Ph.D. work there, studying bass with Dr. David Neubert. 

 While in Austin, Artie taught many private students and worked with trumpeter Martin Banks, singer Maryanne Price, blues great "Long John" Hunter, Dan Hicks and the Acoustic Warriors, and others, while continuing to tour with The Ink Spots. 

Artie also recorded the CD "First Day of Spring" with  jazz violinist Sabastian Campesi, and several other jazz and blues recordings for Catfish Records.

Presently, Artie is playing professionally, teaching privately, and presenting jazz lecture-performances as a clinician.

His new solo CD "Triumvirate" with the Artie Langston Trio, just released, features pianist Bobby Schiff, and Tony Horowitz on trumpet. Also, volume one and two of his new book of practical jazz bass line theory for bass, tuba and synthesizer Jazz and Swing Bass Fundamentals is coming out soon. 

If you would like Artie Langston to perform, teach as an artist/clinician, or give a workshop on computer music software, you may contact him here.