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Trevor Dunn

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Trevor Dunn
Dunn performing in 2012
Dunn performing in 2012
Background information
Born
Trevor Roy Dunn

(1968-01-30) January 30, 1968 (age 58)
GenresAvant-garde, experimental, Avant-garde jazz, free jazz, free improvisation, heavy metal, alternative rock, punk rock, jazz-rock
OccupationsMusician, composer
InstrumentsBass guitar, double bass
Years active1983–present
Websitetrevordunn.net

Trevor Roy Dunn (born January 30, 1968) is an American bassist and composer. He came to prominence in the 1990s with the experimental band Mr. Bungle. While performing with Mr. Bungle, he would dress similar to the St. Pauli Girl.[1] He has since worked in an array of musical styles, including with saxophonist/composer John Zorn, in Mr. Bungle guitarist Trey Spruance's Secret Chiefs 3, and with his own avant-garde jazz/rock ensemble Trevor Dunn's Trio-Convulsant. He is also a member of the bands Fantômas and Tomahawk alongside Mr. Bungle frontman Mike Patton.

Career

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Dunn in Aarhus, Denmark (2016)

After four years of studying the clarinet, Dunn began playing electric bass at the age of thirteen.[2] His earliest musical influences included the Beach Boys, Blondie, Cheap Trick, and Kiss.[3] He later studied classical double bass at Humboldt State University.[2][4]

In 1998, Dunn formed his Trio-Convulsant. Their first release, Debutantes & Centipedes, features Dunn on bass, Adam Levy on guitar, and Kenny Wollesen on drums. The album Sister Phantom Owl Fish on Ipecac (2004) included an entirely new lineup, with Dunn joined by Ches Smith on percussion and Mary Halvorson on guitar.[5] Séances (2022), a concept album inspired by the Convulsionnaires of Saint-Médard[6] and credited to "Trevor Dunn's Trio-Convulsant avec Folie à Quatre", features Halvorson and Smith alongside violinist/violist Carla Kihlstedt, flautist Anna Webber, clarinetist Oscar Noriega, and cellist Mariel Roberts.[7]

Dunn has participated in dozens of other recordings, both as a main collaborator and a guest musician. He is part of Mike Pride's MPThree, David Krakauer's Klezmer Madness, and the Nels Cline Singers. He has also played with Afro-Mystic, Ben Goldberg, Brian "Head" Welch, Graham Connah's Sour Note Seven, Jess Jones Quartet, Junk Genius, Laplante/Dunn/Smith, John Zorn's Electric Masada, Matisyahu, Rova Saxophone Quartet, Sean Lennon, Suit of Lights, Rob Price Quartet, Tin Hat Trio, and Tipsy.[8]

Instruments

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Discography

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Dunn, Saalfelden Jazz Festival, 2009

As leader or co-leader

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As band member

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With Mr. Bungle

With Secret Chiefs 3

With Fantômas

With Melvins (Lite)

With The Nels Cline Singers

With Tomahawk

With Ahleuchatistas

  • 2023 – Expansion (Riverworm)

As sideman

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With Erik Friedlander

With Andrew D’Angelo

With Chris Speed

With Curtis Hasselbring

With Eyvind Kang

With Jamie Saft

With John Zorn

With Jozef Dumoulin Trio

  • 2011 − Rainbow Body with Jozef Dumoulin (Rhodes) and Eric Thielemans (drums)

With the Rob Price Quartet

With King Buzzo

  • 2020 − Gift of Sacrifice (Ipecac)

Album collaborations

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Guest appearances

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References

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  1. "Mr. Bungle Beats Queen; Neil Young Under the Stars". Nypress.com. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Andy Couch. "Ipecac Recordings – Trevor Dunn's Trio Convulsant". Ipecac.com. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  3. "Biography". Trevordunn.net. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  4. "Trevor Dunn". Trevor Dunn. Retrieved April 17, 2026.
  5. "Discography". Trevordunn.net. Archived from the original on January 30, 2010. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  6. Dunn, Trevor (2022). Séances (Media notes).
  7. "Séances". Trevor Dunn. July 12, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2026.
  8. "Laplante / Dunn / Smith". Nnatapes.com. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  9. "Geeking Out". Trevordunn.net. Archived from the original on February 14, 2010. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
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