Donny Benét Drops “il Basso,” a Groove-Driven Love Letter to the Bass
No one taps into retro energy quite like Donny Benét. His ’80s-inspired blend of synth-pop, funk, and disco is tongue-in-cheek, but also executed at the highest level. In an interview with The Note, he explains that he was drawn to the style because the bass is the predominant instrument.
Now, he’s released a whole album in tribute to the low end.
il Basso celebrates the bass by incorporating elements of Benét’s all-time favorite players: Paul Jackson, Bernard Edwards, Freddie Washington, Leon Sylvers, Stanley Clarke, Eberhard Weber, and Jaco Pastorius. The result is an indulgence of his guilty pleasures, liner notes explain, but it still all comes down to the groove.
“Rather than presenting a ‘bass-heavy’ record full of tricks and illusions, I wanted to create a body of complementing songs that allowed various instruments to equally shine in their given moments,” Benét writes. “I have so many great memories and such fondness for my favourite ’70s jazz fusion records, which can simultaneously sit in the background or draw the listener in at any given time. I hope that il Basso can serve the listener in the same way—drawing them into the beauty of the bass in its various roles.”
Benét has released two must-see music videos from the album. First up is “School’s Out,” featuring some thunderous slap and wailing riffs a la Paul Jackson.
Next, check out the sultry groove of “Midnight Appointment”:
Il Basso is out now on vinyl and as a digital download (Apple Music, and Amazon Music). Donny Benét will be on tour in the U.S. in February and March – see below for full dates.
Il Basso Track List:
- School’s Out
- Horses
- Midnight Appointment
- Mr Tuxedo
- Bernard’s Boogie
- Winter Sunset
Donny Benét 2026 U.S. Tour Dates:
| Date | Location | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 27 | Summit | Denver, CO |
| Feb 28 | The Truman | Kansas City, MO |
| Mar 01 | Beer City Music Hall | Oklahoma City, OK |
| Mar 03 | Deep Ellum Art Co. | Dallas, TX |
| Mar 04 | Antone's Nightclub | Austin, TX |
| Mar 06 | Club Congress | Tucson, AZ |
| Mar 07 | Valley Bar | Phoenix, AZ |
| Mar 08 | Music Box | San Diego, CA |
| Mar 10 | Constellation Room | Santa Ana, CA |
| Mar 12 | Pappy + Harriets | Pioneertown, CA |
| Mar 13 | The Regent Theater | Los Angeles. CA |
| Mar 14 | The UC Theatre | Berkeley, CA |
| Mar 15 | The Catalyst | Santa Cruz, CA |
| Mar 17 | Goldfield Trading Post | Sacramento, CA |
| Mar 19 | The Crocodile | Seattle, WA |
| Mar 20 | Wonder Ballroom | Portland, OR |
| Mar 21 | Hollywood Theatre | Vancouver, BC |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
