Reader Spotlight: Don Marcotte

Meet Don Marcotte, a bassist from Alberta who has enjoyed many years of music. We love his “superhero” answer.

Don is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight (you could be next). Here’s his story…

Bio:

I’m a cross genre, working bass player in Alberta. My main gig is as bassist with Calvin Vollrath, but play with a number of other fabulous musicians, including Crystal Plamondon, indiginous artist Jarrid Lee, Canadian dates with Trevor blues artist Finlay (Nashville based), and many others.

I worked as a broadcaster all my life in Canadian and briefly US media, but have always kept active in the scene. For the last decade, I’ve been busy ad a musician and freelance content provider.

Location:

Edmonton Alberta

Years experience:

I started playing over fifty years ago.

Why I play the bass:

When I was a kid, we stayed in a place on weekends that had a room over the bar. I would hear the jukebox all night and all that would come through was the bass. That’s how I learned to hear music and continue to this day.

Gear:

I have four main basses. My main electric is an early 21st century medium scale Fender Jazz with flats. I also have a few other MS Jazzes, one with rounds and one in Eastern Canada for work there. My main upright is a 1940 Kay with a Krivo Pickup. I have an Azola baby bass I use when I need an EUB. I have a pristine 68 Fender Tele i use primarily for bles gigs.

My amp is the GK MB 500 through a Barefaced Compact 12. That can handle stage volume for anything.

I run my UB through a Fishman Platinum preamp.

My Influences:

James Jamerson, of course, Ron Carter, Spencer Starnes, Dave Chabot, any of the Western Swing bassists, and anyone who playes fundimental bass that supports the song.

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

I get lots of gigs with lots of people because I spend a lot of time making sure I’m prepped for the gig. That means making sure I know all the songs inside and out, gear is 100 percent. Then try to be a good hang. I live by the motto, don’t do anything to make the front line look back and go, “What the hell?”

More on the web:

• YouTube