Foley (born Joseph Lee McCreary, Jr. 6 November 1962) is an American bassist, drummer and singer who is best known as the "lead bassist" with Miles Davis from 1987 until 1991.

Music career

Foley was born in Columbus, Ohio. Growing up he listened to Sly and the Family Stone, and after his mother bought him a bass (at age 12) he started playing with local bands. In 1987, he had a phone conversation with Marcus Miller, then Miles Davis's bass player, and afterward sent him a tape of his music. Weeks later he got a call from Davis, who'd heard the tape and asked Foley to send him a copy: Miles Davis was looking for a guitarist, but at that time Foley had been working on getting his bass to sound like a guitar. By May 1987 Foley was touring with Davis, and played with him until the fall of 1991. According to author George Cole, Davis gave Foley advice late in Foley's tenure with his band that changed the bassist's musical approach: In 1993 he played a lead bass solo on Mint Condition's R&B Top 40 hit "So Fine" and the interlude track "Gumbo" from their album From the Mint Factory. In 1993, during his time at Motown, Foley released 7 Years Ago...Directions in Smart-Alec Music. The album included "If It's Positive". The Cité de la Musique showed a Miles Davis exhibition from October 16, 2009, to January 17, 2010, that included Foley's "lead bass".

Technique

Foley tuned his bass nearly an octave higher than a standard bass guitar using piccolo bass strings and processed it through various effects, allowing him to sound like a lead guitarist.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With George Clinton With Miles Davis With Paolo Rustichelli With Keith Staten With Lenny White With others

As an engineer

With Vanessa Williams