“I played a 5-string with Lauryn Hill, but it didn’t feel like a real bass”: Raised on R&B, schooled by fusion, and empowered by punk rock, Bad Brains bassist Darryl Jenifer remains a 4-string purist

Bassist Darryl Jenifer of Bad Brains performs onstage at the Virgin Festival By Virgin Mobile 2007 at Pimlico Race Course on August 5, 2007 in Baltimore, Maryland.

As a member of Bad Brains and one of the co-creators of a daringly original brew of reggae, punk, soul, and fusion, bassist Darryl Jenifer has inspired musicians on every point around the color wheel.

As a devoted member of the Stanley Clarke fan club, Jenifer’s own musical journey began in the early '70s following an invitation to join jazz-fusion group Mind Power with Earl Hudson, Hudson's brother HR, and Gary ‘Dr. Know’ Miller.