August Bish is a bassist, composer, and educator located in NYC. Previously a valued member of the jazz communities of Amsterdam, Dallas, and the Finger Lakes; August has performed and recorded with heavyweight jazz artists including Allison Miller, Steve Brown, Phillip Dizack, Benny Benack III, Hendrick Meurkens, Rob Parton, Nick Finzer, and Melissa Gardner.

Bish is recognized in the jazz world as a skilled bassist and improviser. In 2023, he was a semi-finalist in the International Society of Bassists’ Competition Jazz Division, chaired by renowned bassist Mimi Jones. Bish was also selected to attend the Summer 2023 Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy, where he performed in their big band under the direction of Christian McBride. Bish has also made appearances at Midwest Clinic, Syracuse International Jazz Festival, Geneva Jazz Fest, Denton Arts and Jazz, Fredonia Jazz Fest, APEX Arts League Jazz Festival, and Jazz Fest at ONCO. He has performed at several notable venues including Jazz Showcase, Bar Bayeux, Parker Jazz Club, Firehouse Stage, Close Up, The Other Side, Jazz on Main, Noce, and Jesse H. Jones Hall.

While pursuing his master’s degree, Bish was the bassist for the UNT One O’ Clock Lab Band. Through his tenure with the band, he was fortunate enough to share the stage with high-caliber guest artists including Miguel Zenón, Brad Leali, Gregg Bissonette, The Houston Symphony, and Chris Potter. His composition “Hiraeth” can be heard on the album Lab 2023. Bish and the One O’Clock can also be heard on Allison Miller’s latest album Big and Lovely which was recorded in Spring 2023.

As an educator, Bish has eight years’ private teaching experience, as well as three years’ collegiate-level teaching experience. Bish worked under Lynn Seaton and Nick Finzer as a Jazz Teaching Fellow, where he taught improvisation and bass technique to undergraduate and master’s students at the University of North Texas. Additionally, Bish has taught privately through Columbia University’s Teachers College. Bish enjoys working with students and giving back to his musical community, most recently serving as an ensemble director and improvisation teacher at the Ithaca College Summer Music Academy. Passionate about introducing young musicians to the art of improvisation, Bish has worked with ensembles at primary schools, secondary schools, and universities across the US. In Fall of 2024, he performed as a clinician and guest artist at SUNY Fredonia.

As someone who seeks new musical experiences, Bish continues to expand the breadth of his work. In addition to being a prolific jazz performer and recording artist, he holds a degree in classical and orchestral performance from Ithaca College and has studied Chinese Jiangnan sizhu music (江南丝竹) on the Daruan (大阮). Bish has extensive experience in pit orchestras and is passionate about the relationship music has with other art forms. He has collaborated with poets, visual artists, and dancers on multimedia performances. Coming up, Bish will be featured on an upcoming album with longtime collaborator Katelyn Hunter Robinson, and will continue performing with his various NYC-based artistic projects.