Reader Spotlight: Adam Stevens

Adam StevensMeet Adam Stevens, a bass player living in Toronto who has been raised right – as a bassist with parents who helped develop and broaden his love for music. Adam is our player in the spotlight for the week of August 21, 2012.

Bio:

I grew up in a small town north of Toronto, surrounded by music my whole life. My father is a musician, and my grandparents were musicians. In high school I began learning how to play bass by listening to bands like Blink-182, Green Day, etc. and started my own punk/rock bands. One thing lead to another, and I found myself playing in jazz/concert bands and began to develop a real passion for bass/music in general. As a teenager, my parents took me to see artists such as Pat Metheny, Dave Brubeck, and Return To Forever – and everything took off from there.

Location:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Day gig:

This fall, I’m about to enter my fourth (and last) year pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree at Humber College, one of Canada’s best music schools. On the side, I teach privately, perform/record around the city and work as a cook at a local restaurant.

Years experience:

Seven years.

Bands & Gigs:

I am currently freelancing with a number of jazz groups, rock bands, Top 40/Cover bands and currently putting together a soul/R’n’B group, “Citizens Vibe” – as a creative outlet for my writing and arranging.

Gear:

  • Keith Roscoe LG-3000
  • Fender Jazz Bass (U.S. made) ’75 reissue with Sadowsky preamp
  • Korean Made Carved Upright Bass (Xue Chang Sun)
  • TC Electronic RH-450 (2×10 TC cabinet)
  • Presonus Firestudio PROJECT
  • Tech 21 VT Bass Sans Amp
  • T-Rex Sweeper
  • MXR Bass Envelope Filter
  • EHX MicroPog
  • Digitech JamMan Loop Station

Why I play the bass:

I always knew music was going to be central in my life – my father was a musician, my grandparents were musicians, and my great-grandparents were also musicians. My older brother had a Fender Squire P-Bass around the house, and so I had a lot of fun learning Mark Hoppus bass lines and rocking out to Blink-182 albums. But, I would say the real decision was made after hearing cats like Jaco Pastorius, Victor Wooten and Stanley Clarke for the first time.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

I’m balanced and eclectic in both my skills and interests. I’m sort of a musical jack-of-all-trades, with the ability to record, produce, compose, perform, teach – and everything in between.

My influences

In no particular order: Victor Wooten, Anthony Wellington, Andrew Gouche, Pino Palladino, Dywane “Mononeon” Thomas Jr., Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Pat Metheny, Stevie Wonder, Larry Graham, Sly Stone, MarloweDK and many others.

More on the web:

Want to be featured in an upcoming Reader Spotlight? Just fill out the interview questionnaire.

Get daily bass updates.

Get the latest news, videos, lessons, and more in your inbox every morning.

Share your thoughts