Michael Manring, born June 27, 1960, in Annapolis, Maryland, is an American bass guitarist known for his innovative approach to the instrument. He began playing music as a teenager with his brother Doug in various jazz rock and fusion bands. In the 1980s, he toured with Jaco Pastorius and became a house bassist for Windham Hill Records. Manring released several albums as a leader, including Unusual Weather (1986) and Toward the Center of the Night (1989). He collaborated with notable musicians such as Michael Hedges and Alex Skolnick. In 1994, he was named Bassist of the Year by the readers of Bass Player magazine. Manring is known for his technical virtuosity and innovative use of alternate tunings.
