Ethan Farmer | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 31, 1975 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | Gospel, pop, R&B, funk, rock, fusion, jazz, Latin |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, record producer |
| Instrument(s) | Bass, keyboard/synth bass, piano, guitar, drums, vocal, backing vocals |
| Years active | 1998–present |
Ethan Diante Farmer (born May 31, 1975), also known as "EBASSMAN", is an American bassist, and played on the releases of Grammy Award-winning artists including Aretha Franklin (Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics), Sean Combs (Press Play) and Janet Jackson (Live in Hawaii), among other artists, in addition to touring with The Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block.[1] He's also worked with Babyface, Destiny’s Child, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Lionel Richie, Nicole Scherzinger, Patti LaBelle and Rock N Roll Hall inductee Chip Shearin in the Avengers, in addition to others, on numerous studio sessions and tour dates. In addition, he has released a solo album, Wine & Strings and Wine & Strings 2.0, a followup to the original album and includes elements of jazz, rock, funk, and soul.[2] He was also a member of the house band of Rock the Cradle, an MTV reality show that featured the children of pop, rock and R&B stars.
Farmer began playing the bass at six years of age with his family’s Chicago, Illinois band, The Amazing Farmer Singers, a gospel quartet. However, he did not become interested in pursuing it professionally until high school, when he realized he could make a living at it.[1] Farmer graduated in 1993 from Hubbard High School on Chicago’s south side.
Farmer credits his upbringing in Chicago for expanding his horizons past gospel and exposing him to rock, jazz and blues. He moved to Los Angeles in 1998, and credits gospel bass performer Andrew Gouche for mentoring him when and helping him to appear on BET’s Planet Groove, playing with Jody Watley (which would be his first national appearance). Since then, he’s played with Christina Aguilera and Macy Gray among others as a session musician, in addition to releasing his own solo albums and touring with groups and musical artists. He was also featured on MTV’s Rock the Cradle as a member of its house band.[3][4] Other notable acts Farmer’s worked with include Babyface, Destiny’s Child, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Lionel Richie, Nicole Scherzinger, Patti LaBelle as well as the jazz band The Avengers, among others.. In addition, he’s given masterclasses at the 2015 London Bass Guitar Show.[5]
Farmer has endorsements from Aguilar Amplification, Carvin Bass Guitars, Dunlop Strings, Levy’s Leathers, Performance Bass Guitars and Warrior Bass.[6][7][8] Bass Mods also sells two bass guitars endorsed by Farmer, the Ethan Farmer Signature Model EF4 and EF5.
