Archive for March 2010 - Page 6

DR Strings has announced a new line of strings called the DDT. Designed specifically for drop tuning, the strings feature specific technologies and heavier gauges to help maintain tuning consistency, even way down low. They also attempt to reduce that floppy string feeling and fret buzz. The Bass DDT’s are available in the following sets: Medium DDT-45 (45, 65, 85,...

What does it take be become a “great” band? Believe it or not the collective skill of a group is not determined solely by the skills of its individual members. There is a level of ensemble technique that really elevates a band to be beyond average and gets the group noticed. As with all things there is no short-cut and...

Here’s a rare clip of Wayne Pedzwater of the 1980-81 incarnation of Blood, Sweat and Tears, doing a jamming bass solo. Wayne passed away in March of 2005 after suffering a battle with gastric cancer, but his bass playing legacy lives on on many albums in many different genres. Check out Hartke’s Wayne Pedzwater tribute site

The Playboy Jazz Festival promises to be another bass player’s favorite, featuring performances and appearances by Esperanza Spalding, Marcus Miller, Dwayne Burno, John Clayton’s Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, Chick Corea’s freedom band with Christian McBride, and many more. Hosted by comedian Bill Cosby, the festival will take place June 12-13 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. “It’s a party with...

Ever wanted to play along side Billy Corgan in the Smashing Pumpkins? Well your big chance has arrived! Corgan has announced that the band will be having open auditions for a new bassist, as well as a new keyboardist. Smashing Pumpkins bassist Ginger Pooley just had a baby and wants to raise her child without being on the road. She...

Q: What’s going through your mind when you solo? A: Ideally, nothing! I play my best when I know the song well (don’t need to think about chords, etc.) and am playing with solid players who all serve the music. In that scenario, I am simply letting the music dictate what’s going to happen and if I have to solo,...

Some may remember Jeff Berlin doing this song as a bass/piano duet on his album “Pump it!”. In this video renowned French bass player Jean Bisello plays both parts on his bass (with a short introduction for those of you who speak French).

Motema Music just released Rufus Reid’s new album, Out Front. The album features Reid in a piano trio setting, with pianist Steve Allee and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca. “Out Front suggests several connotations,” Rufus explains. “In addition to being ‘out front’ as the leader, my playing in this setting is somewhat atypical in that this music stretches far beyond the...

Meet Bryan Boyhan, our bass player in the spotlight for March 9, 2010. Bio: I was born and raised in New Orleans, LA where I started first playing piano and taking theory lessons at about age 9. I listened to whatever records or CD’s we had around everything from the Beatles to Creedance. I have been living in Orlando since...

Jean-Michel Pilc has a masterful touch, and True Story is a charming record that is a great example of contemporary piano trio jazz. It’s music that is unafraid to be beautiful and, at the same time, unique and modern. Pilc joins the select group of pianists like Vijay Iyer, Bojan Z and Brad Meldhau who are making music very modern...

Les Claypool has added new U.S. dates to his current tour. Pre-sale tickets go on sale today. Here’s the latest: March 10 Zurich, CH, at Abart March 11 Milan, IT, at Alkatraz March 12 Bologna, IT, at Estragon March 13 Treviso, IT, at New Age March 15 Munich, DE, at 59:1 March 16 Vienna, AT, at Flex March 17 Berlin,...

Jo Sallins refers to himself as “The Most Famous Unknown Musician in the World”. I don’t know if that’s true (actually, I don’t even know how that works…) but I do feel like he’s someone more people should know about. Sallins is a self-taught bassist and pianist and he has several albums out – one of which is a free...