Inspired by his teacher
Jaco Pastorius,
Manring has taken the electric bass into new territory. A native of the Washington, DC, area, he played classical bass in high school chamber groups and orchestra while also working in local Top 40 bands. From 1979 to 1982, he honed his chops in the DC fusion group Natural Bridge and also started performing with guitarist
Michael Hedges.
Manring played on
Hedges's Windham Hill debut
Breakfast in the Fields. Since then, the bassist has become
the Windham Hill session man, recording on albums by
Will Ackerman,
Ira Stein, and
Russel Walder in addition to his frequent tours with
Hedges.
Manring is a also a key member in the label's all-star band,
Montreux. ~ Linda Kohanov, All Music Guide