"The angular version Mr. Stigers offered of Elvis Presley’s Sun Records classic “That’s All Right” illustrated the stylistic proximity of rockabilly and cool jazz... ...Cliff Schmitt on bass took the song into an imaginary jazz cellar of the 1950s." - Stephen Holden, New York Times
"The tightly disciplined rhythm section, with Cliff Schmitt on double bass and Matthew Fries on piano is quite intoxicating," - Clive Davis, The Times (London)
"...the rhythm section of pianist Matthew Fries, drummer Keith Hall and bassist Cliff Schmitt remains a model of understated momentum." - Clive Davis, The Times (London)
"...Schmitt is just so smartly attuned to every nuance in every measure that the effect is mesmerizing." -Richard Cohn, Larchmont Gazette
Bassist Cliff Schmitt's career in music spans over three decades, starting with his professional debut in 1992. He kicked off his musical career on the south side of Dallas, working with R&B legend Al "TNT" Braggs, renowned for his songwriting contributions to artists like Aretha Franklin and Bobby Bland.
Since then, Cliff's musical journey has taken him across the globe, performing in renowned nightclubs in New York, Paris, London, Berlin, and Rio De Janeiro. He has also performed at some of the most well-known festivals in the world, Montreaux Jazz, Jazz à Juan, Marciac Jazz, Blueseas Curaçao, Chicago Blues Festival, Rheingau Music Festival, and numerous others.
While he's been a resident of New York City since 1997, Cliff now divides his time between there and Germany, broadening his musical influences and connections. Currently, he is the bassist for Emarcy recording artist Curtis Stigers, and co-leads Likho Duo alongside the talented Guitarist/Harmonica player Noé Socha.
Cliff's involvement in the music industry has extended beyond performing, encompassing artist management and booking. He has worked as a tour manager for several of the artists he has performed with, and is now joining the Alexander Agency in Cologne as a booking agent.
Live Performances:
Jazz - Curtis Stigers, Jeanie Bryson, Rick Margitza, Larry Goldings, Dave Leibman, Ingrid Jensen, Paula West, Billy Hart, Von Freeman, Matt Wilson, Walter Perkins, Vic Juris, Ari Hoenig, Andy Middleton, Till Brönner, Karolina Strassmayer, Rainer Böhm, WDR Big Band.
Pop- Norah Jones, Art Garfunkel, Michael Bolton, Martha Reeves, Peter Noone, Andrew Wyatt (Miike Snow), Gisele Jackson.
Blues- Bernard Purdie, Philip Walker, Smokin' Joe Kubek, SaRon Crenshaw, Clarence Spady, Guitar Shorty, Michael Powers, Moe Holmes, Junior Mack, Bill Sims Jr., Jimmy Johnson, Dave Specter.
Nightclub Performances:
Blue Note, Birdland, Smalls, Terra Blues, Swing 46, Knitting Factory, Chicago Blues, The Bitter End, The Savoy, The Living Room, Cafe Carlyle, Detour, Sardi's, Session 73, The Garage, Green Mill (Chicago), Jazz Showcase (Chicago),House of Blues (Chicago), Ronnie Scott's (London), Duc de Lombards (Paris), New Morning (Paris), Bimhuis (Amsterdam), Jazzhouse (Copenhagen).
Festival Performances:
JVC Jazz Festival - NYC, Hampton Court Festival - London, Amersfort Jazz Festival - Holland, Montreaux Jazz Festival; Monte Carlo Jazz Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, Chicago Blues Festival, Toronto Distillery Festival, Halifax Jazz Festival, Guinness Jazz Festival - Ireland, Efes Pilsen Blues Festival - Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Vienna Jazz Festival, Stuttgart Jazz Open, Rheingau Musik Festival, Silda Jazz Festival - Norway.
Concert Halls:
Royal Albert Hall, Berlin Kammermusiksaal, Frankfurt Alte Oper, Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Dublin National Concert Hall, Copenhagen DR Koncerthuset.
Discography:
Cliff Schmitt - "Strange Addiction" (Likho Records)
Likho Duo - "Blues and the World Beyond" (Likho Records)
Curtis Stigers - "This Life" (Emarcy/Universal)
Curtis Stigers - "Hooray for Love" (Concord)
Curtis Stigers - "Lost in Dreams" (Concord)
Erin McDougald ft. Dave Liebman & Tom Harrell - "Outside the Soiree" (Miles High)
The Weekly Reeders - "Interference" (Miles High)
Michael Powers - "Prodigal Son" (Baryon)
Michael Powers – "Onyx Root" (Baryon)
Elizabeth Tomboulian ft. Ingrid Jensen - "Love's in Need of Love Today"
Ted Brancato - "The Next Step" (Origin)
The Chesterfields – "Henry Street Soul"
David Caceres – "Trio" (Guild)
Greta Gertler – "The Baby That Brought Bad Weather"
Ron Sunshine – "Candy" (Golden Bug)
David Brandom – "Home" (Blujazz)
Roberta Piket - "I'm Back in Therapy..."
Veronica Martell – "The Art of Intimacy" (Apria)
Awry (ft. Shara Worden) - "Awry"
Music for film: