Reader Spotlight: Keith “KDubbs” Williams

Meet Keith “KDubbs” Williams, a bassist from San Jose, California and our player in the spotlight for December 7, 2010.

Bio:

I’m the former bass player for Maranatha Christian Center, San Jose, Ca. (1992-2002). I’ve worked with Ruff House/Columbia/Emi recording artist Keith Martin (toured with MC Hammer in the mid 90’s), and with the Black Panther of Hip Hop, Paris. I’m currently involved with independent film soundtrack work, Sound Bed production and Loop creation.

Location:

San Jose, CA. USA

Day gig:

I currently work as a Software Test Engineer for Logitech on their set top box product “the Revue”, doing work with their Video Conferencing application “Vid”.

Years experience:

25+ years

Bands & Gigs:

I’ve been performing with a Gospel HipHop artist SaylahFlowz. I also perform with R&B artist Kayniz and a Jazz-Rock fusion trio called YBK.

Gear:

• SansAmp bass DI pedal.
• Mutron Envelope filter pedal
• SVT4 Pro Bass head
• SVT 810 EN x2 (for Stadiums, Open Air concerts)
• SVT 806 HE enclosure (for Medium size venues and churches).
• Fender Rumble 350 for clubs

I collect basses so this could take awhile. LOL.

• My main and favorite axe is my MusicMan Stingray 5 fretted
• MusicMan Stingray 5 fretless
• ’73 Fender Jazz
• Aria Pro II SB
• ’77 Guild B-301 4 string fretless
• Tobias Toby Pro 5
• 2 BTB’s (5 and 6 strings)
• 2 Cort basses (a 5 string and a 6 string fretless)
• 2 Deans (2 5 strings-1 of them fretless)
• Englehart 3/4 Scale Upright bass

Why I play the bass:

My cousin, Robert Clarke, is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist in the style of Prince. At 13, I was over his house hanging out when he asked me to accompany him on bass. I had some musical experience in elementary school, on trumpet, and played drums as a youth in my church, but the impact of being the link between rhythm and melody – the backbone of most music – just made me feel like home.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

I try to be an all encompassing bassist. Anything bass – including keyboard bass and bass vocals – I feel I’m pretty competent.

My influences

I love any bass player who knows how to hold down a line, with style. David Dyson, Doug Wimbish, Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, Bernard Edwards, Rocco Prestia, Nathaniel Phillips, Mark King, Ralphe Armstrong, Abraham Laboriel, Jeff Berlin, and others as well as the ‘noted’ soloists like Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Steve Bailey, Oteil Burbidge, John Pattitucci, and of course those who paved the way: James Jamerson, Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, Michael Henderson, Paul Jackson, Ron Carter, and many others.

More on the web:

• Urban Underground: tha HipHop Unknown-the Bomb Bay compilation (CDBaby)
• Urban Underground: Apocalypse (CDBaby)
• Urban Underground (Myspace)
• Urban Underground Instrumentals (Myspace)