Archive for July 2016 - Page 8

Distinctive and prolific jazz bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma, known for his extensive solo and group work, including a long tenure in Ornette Coleman’s Prime Time band, is also part of a group that draws upon that Coleman band — Marc Ribot & The Young Philadelphians, which has released a live album recorded in 2014, The Young Philadelphians Live In Tokyo. The...

Bassist Chip Shearin suffered a devastating blow on when nearly all of his family’s possessions were destroyed on June 22nd. Shearin was in the process of moving his family to Los Angeles when the driver of his moving truck fell asleep at the wheel. The resulting accident ruined most of his children’s toys, his studio equipment, several of his basses,...

We live in a pretty hectic world. In addition to our day-to-day worries, such as battling traffic and remembering to buy toilet paper, we can’t seem to escape from the never-ending news cycle. Lately, politics seem to have taken over; there is ongoing discussion of constitutional amendments, how to deal with big business and the global economy, and how the...

Our friend Bryan Ladd shared a video by a project he’s been involved in over the last year or so. The band is Progger, and this is their tune “Endorphin.” Bryan gets in a short but sweet solo at the end. The song appeared on Progger’s album, which was released back in April.

Fifty-eight never listed studio takes from legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker and his groups have been compiled on the set, Unheard Bird: The Unissued Takes. The set features a veritable who’s who of bebop bassists, including Teddy Kotick, Ray Brown, Tommy Potter and Curley Russell. Jazz historian Phil Schaap, currently Curator at Jazz At Lincoln Center, co-produced the compilation...

Greer Amps has released a new octave fuzz pedal called the Super Hornet, which they say works great on guitar and bass. Based on a Foxx Tone Machine, the pedal tweaks the vintage-style circuit by using NOS BC-107B transistors and adding a feature to the octave section. The octave switch can be set to On or Stinger modes. When in...

In 1996, bass player Rhonda Smith did something that few musicians can ever lay claim to. She joined Prince’s astounding backing band, The New Power Generation. The years, miles, and practice that brought her to this moment cannot be underestimated. Getting on Prince’s radar is tough enough. Getting a place in this ferocious musical tsunami of funk is a whole...

El Ten Eleven multi-instrumentalist Kristian Dunn has just released a new solo ambient album called . Besides beautiful pads, the album is full of intimate and introspective bass playing. Check out the video for the new song, “Staring at Screens” to see what we mean:

Fates Warning has released its twelfth studio album, Theories of Flight, the band’s followup to 2013’s Darkness in a Different Light. The progressive metal band features Joey Vera, also of Armored Saint, on bass. In an interview with MetalHeadRadio.com, Vera said for the album, each band member recorded their parts separately, often near or at their homes, based on demos...

Fuzzrocious Effects has teamed up with Electro-Faustus to create a unique “noisemaker” called the Greyfly. The pedal combines the Fuzzrocious Grey Stache fuzz with the Electro-Faustus Blackfly spring-activated noise generator for a whole new pedal experience. The Greyfly can be used on its own with three springs that can be plucked, scraped, and twanged to create your signal, which is...

Q: As a bass player, having practiced all day until one’s fingernails are aching, what is the solution for a quick pain relief so I can continue to practice the next day, without skipping a day? A: While I can’t imagine what kind of practice makes your fingernails hurt (double thumb workouts?), I do have some thoughts. I worry, if...

Gheorghe Postoronca always brings a personal level to his solo bass songs. His latest, “The Light From Inside”, is no exception. The bassist utilizes a capo on four of his six strings along with strumming to create glorious harmonies and textures. It sounds like he is singing through his instrument, which is something many of us strive for.