René Worst

René Worst, an internationally known bass player, has established himself as one of the most influential and leading jazz voices in North America for several decades. He attended the UBC School of Music and Douglas College jazz program. For the four years the award was given, he was voted Bassist of the Year by the BC CARAS Tribute to West Coast Music. René was co-leader of the now-legendary fusion band Skywalk, which has six CDs to their credit. He has toured Canada with jazz legends Chet Baker, Gene Bertoncini, and Joe Pass. On the international scene, he has toured the former Soviet Union with Paul Horn. He is also the bassist with Brazilian band Novo Tempo and multi-disciplinary ensemble Crossing Borders; both bands have toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada. He is a virtuoso on both string and electric bass. René has recorded and performed with numerous jazz greats, including Jack Sheldon, Tommy Banks, Herb Ellis, Freddie Hubbard, Ernestine Anderson, John Faddis, and Don Thompson, to name a few, and has recorded and produced seven CDs for musical partner Jennifer Scott, one of the top jazz artists in Canada, including the highly acclaimed Emotional Girl. He has also been featured as a session player on recordings by Jennifer Love Hewitt, David Bowie, Aerosmith, and Poison, to name a few. René has released a duo album with pianist Miles Black called Two; it has received much critical acclaim. René’s studio work includes jingles, album projects, and movie scores. As a noted producer, René has helmed recordings for Sandy Foster, Megan Fanning, Skywalk, and Crossing Borders. This year, René released the Jennifer Scott CDs Live at Samson Winery and Music for Bigs and Smalls as bassist and producer, and was featured on new releases by Ed Johnson and Leslie Evers. He also released a second duo CD, El Escorial, with pianist Miles Black.