Meshell Ndegeocello Talks Bass, Performs with Norah Jones, and Shares Her Mysterious Jaco Story
Meschell Ndegeocello joined Norah Jones for conversation and several intimate performances with longtime collaborator Chris Bruce joining them on guitar. At one point, Jones asks Ndegeocello about the bass she is playing. Ndegeocello explains that she bought it while she was living at the Chelsea Hotel after repeatedly visiting a nearby guitar shop. The seller told her the instrument had belonged to Jaco Pastorius, although she is quick to point out that she has never been able to confirm the story.
Whatever its history, the bass clearly means a lot to her. Ndegeocello calls it her “friend” and says it was the first instrument that truly felt like her own. She also reveals that it has a 1964 neck and a 1963 body. This episode features performances of “Bitter,” Curtis Mayfield’s “Power to the People,” “The Price of the Ticket,” and “Trouble.” The latter two come from Ndegeocello’s 2024 album, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin.
Check out the full episode below.
No Treble CEO Jody Miller is a Chicago-based bassist, guitarist, engineer, and producer best known for his bass gear demo videos and as the co-host of The Bass Nerds podcast.
