Reader Spotlight: Andrew Rosciszewski

Meet bassist Andrew Rosciszewski, a musician living in South Bound Brook, NJ who spends his days teaching music to kids (love that). Andrew also anchors a very interesting band, one he calls an “electric chamber ensemble.” Andrew is our player in the spotlight for January 24, 2012.

Bio:

Described as “listener-friendly, but fresh, with a nice shimmer…” and “relatively delicate, intelligent… precisely interwoven musical thoughts.” (Michael Fressola, Staten Island Advance), Andrew Rosciszewski is a composer and bassist known for his genre-bending compositions that fuse classical with rock in a colorful, eclectic style that reflects his passion and diversity of a wide musical palette. Influenced by composers such as Shostakovich, Bartók and Górecki, he is intrigued and inspired by the folk music of his Polish heritage. This influence, when combined with his love of progressive rock music, makes rhythm a cornerstone of his works, often emphasizing shifting meters and incorporating song and dance idioms into his classical compositions.

I recently launched an IndieGoGo campaign to raise the remaining funds to finish recording a CD of classical/rock music. One piece is a 15 minute track featuring rock band with orchestra and there’s a 3 movement marimba concerto. The last movement features bass and drum set besides marimba.

Location:

South Bound Brook, NJ, USA

Day gig:

Music Teacher: Grade 4-8 Band & Orchestra, Pre-K-6 General Music

Years experience:

17 years

Bands & Gigs:

I started a rock/progressive project with a college friend (a drummer), but it has since morphed into what I describe as an “electric chamber ensemble.” I’ve been re-orchestrating rock tunes that I had written for the original project and we have been performing them as part of a chamber ensemble. The instrumentation is flute, cello, piano, electric bass, multi-percussion (in place of drum set) and sometimes marimba. We’ve done several performances with Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble (MCCE). The ironic thing is the music is better received in this orchestration than as a rock band. Go figure!

Gear:

• Ibanez Soundgear SR505 (5 string)
• Ibanez Soundgear SR800 (4 string)
• Markbass Little Mark Tube
• Markbass New York 121 1×12
• 1980s Boss Bass Limiter
• Boss TU-3 tuner
• 1980s Boss Bass Chorus
• Boss Overdrive
• EH Big Muff Pi
• Markbass Tube Compressor
• Anton Schroeter upright (w/David Gage Realist)

Why I play the bass:

In high school, several friends played instruments and wanted to start a band. They were short a bass player, so I bought some gear and figured what the hell.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

I don’t have any kind of superpower, but I’d like to think I have an unorthodox style and unconventional approach when composing bass lines.

My influences

Sting, John Myung, Geddy Lee, Edgar Meyer, Colin Edwin, Tony Levin, Jaco Pastorius… the list goes on and on.

More on the web:

• Official Website>
• IndieGoGo Campaign
• ReverbNation page
• Facebook page (personal)
• Facebook page (band)
• Sonicbids page