Michel Labex Labaki
| Michel "Labex" Labaki | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michel Labaki |
| Born |
December 4, 1978 Baabdat, Lebanon |
| Genres | Funk, R&B, rock, Latin, jazz, jazz fusion |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Electric bass |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Associated acts | 8eme Art, Heik Menghanni Show, MTV Lebanon |
Michel Labaki (aka "Labex," born December 4, 1978) is a Lebanese bassist, composer and producer. He is best known as the bassist in Heik Menghanni Show MTV Lebanon (2010–present).[1] He currently lives in Beirut, Lebanon.
Born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, Labex was influenced by his mother who is a pianist, he developed a longing for music, and particularly the guitar. Labex started off as a guitar player, but switched to the electric bass at the age of 15. He soon became one of the prominent bass players in Lebanon at the age of 20. Labex has been involved in the continuing development of various musical techniques and styles –funk, Latin, and fusion world music – and has stood out in his sense of lyricism and melodic bass lines. He introduced a new technique to the world of bass – The Stap.[2] Through the stap technique, Labex combines drumming on the drums, tapping on the guitar, and slapping on the bass, together to create this amazing skill to perform on the bass guitar. After tampering and innovation to the technique, Labex featured stapping[2] for the first time on his album "Dear Mother".
Today, Labex is a main bass player, artist casting manager and a recording engineer in 8e Art.[3][4] He performs in prime time TV show "Hek Menghanne"[5] on MTV Lebanon.
Education
- Majored in business management at AUST (2005)
- Currently undergoing another major in Industrial Psychology and music therapy at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.
- Currently under the tutelage of Euterpe Music & Art Therapy (Italy).
Professional music career
In the late 1990s, Labex began his career with Warner Brothers Production House, Middle East.
Laying the foundations of his success story, Labex has performed with more than fifty international artists and participated in festivals around the globe –
Labex took part in Aleph (pianist) concert at Olympia Paris on May 28, 2016 to a sold Out Crowd.[6]
In 2013, Labex released his first bass album "Bass Lab". The album featured many local and international talents. The album is available on Amazon MP3, Xbox Store, Apple Tunes, and in Virgin Megastore.
He just launched his second album "Dear Mother" in the USA at NAMM in January 2015. The album features a host of incredible artists from around the globe including Fred Clark, Harris Harris, Dennis Guevara, Jose Fernandez, Derrick Murdock, Rytha Labaky, Aleph and Dia, Chris Abouaneh, Xriss Jor, Ramzi Abou Kamel, Jihad Assad, Raed Abou Kamel, Ralph Chwayri, Ryan Idriss, Tony Khalifeh, Scarlett Saad, and Bachar "Buchet" Sawaya, Elie "Brain" Akl and Ghassan "Gas" Sakr.
Equipment
The path to success continues as Labex is now endorsed by Fodera.[7] Fodera has just launched his custom signature "LABEX" Fodera bass.[8] This collaboration is significant for Labex seeing that he plays a Fodera Yin Yang Standard bass (serial number 10). Labex is also endorsed by Gruvgear (Duostrap and Fretwraps),[1] Lathon Bass Wear, and most recently by famed bass amplifiers creator Aguilar Amps, he uses the Tone Hammer 500 along with the Db410 and SL112 Cabinets. Labex also uses the Aguilar Chorusaurus effect pedal.[4] Michel also uses Fodera strings and a Boss RC300 loop station.
Selected discography
References
- 1 2 "GRUV GEAR – Artist Endorsers – Michel Labex Labaki – MAKE LIFE GRUV".
- 1 2 3 Amador, Raul. "Michel"Labex" Labaki: The Stapping Innovator, Bass Musician Magazine July 2013".
- ↑ "8eme Art – Our Artists".
- 1 2 "Aguilar Amp – Artists – Michel Labex Labaki".
- ↑ , Heik Menghanni, 27 March 2015
- ↑ http://www.olympiahall.com/jazz-blues-classique/aleph.html
- ↑ "Fodera – Artists".
- ↑ "Fodera – Michel Labaki Signature Monarch".
- ↑ Sevenoaks, Kyle. "Michel Labaki bass virtuoso".
- ↑ "Michel Labaki - Dear Mother".