Interviews - Page 17

Jeff Hill may be the newest member of the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, but he’s no novice. The skilled bassist cut his teeth on rock and jazz in Chicago and New York City for years before becoming a go-to player for artists like Rufus Wainwright, Shooter Jennings, Linda Thompson, and more. Now his fantastic groove and tone are featured in the...

When you take a look at a list of his current gigs, it’s a wonder that Derek Frank gets any sleep at all. The L.A. bassist and musical director has been busy laying down the low end for Shania Twain, Air Supply, Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers, and The Dirty Diamond, to name a few. That’s not to mention his...

As an instrument builder and pickup maker, Carey Nordstrand has helped scores of musicians find their voice in their tone. Now he’s getting to share his own musical voice with a new release by his band, Moba Jones. Soul Fish is the culmination of musical experiences of Nordstrand and his musical compatriot Edward Heppenstall, whose influences range from Peter Gabriel...

With decades of playing with some of the world’s top musicians under his belt, Tom Kennedy has seen a lot. Starting with jazz greats when he was just a teenager, the master bassist has seen the world from the stage and the studio. That’s only part of why his new album, Points of View, is so aptly titled. The release,...

Mai Agan is a bassist with an incredible story. Like every good story, it comes from tons of hard work and a little good timing. Born in Estonia, Agan started her musical career as a child, picking up the bass as a teenager. She studied music in Estonia before moving to Stockholm, Sweden to continue her education. It was there...

Spring is here and Summer is just around the corner. That means it’s just about time to pack up the van and take your jams on the road. Before you start pounding the pavement, it’s probably a good idea to take a few notes on what to expect and what to be prepared for on the road. Gear malfunctions, lack...

Cheikh Ndoye has just released his latest album as a leader, entitled . The eight-song collection is an incredible blend of the Senegal-born bassist’s African roots and his love of jazz. Deep grooves and soulful melodies abound in seven original songs along with a fresh take on the Jaco Pastorius classic “Continuum.” We caught up with Ndoye to get the...

As genres morph and blend into each other, it has been increasingly important for bassists to be able to cover a variety of styles. Many get a style knowledge that is either an inch wide and a mile deep or a mile wide and an inch deep. Anthony Crawford’s knowledge is a mile wide and a mile deep. That may...

George Clinton has been spreading the gospel of funk around the world with Parliament Funkadelic for nearly 50 years, and bassist Lige Curry has been the group’s anchor for nearly four of those decades. Born in Flint, Michigan and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area, Curry first caught the attention of the P-Funk crew along with his cousin, guitarist Michael...

Juan Alderete is the king of pedals and effects, and he’s proven that once again with his new group Halo Orbit. The band, which includes Japanese guitar whiz suGar Yoshinaga and drummer Mark Guiliana, released their debut album earlier this month and it’s filled with the bassist’s unreal tonal palette. Halo Orbit’s self-titled debut is Alderete’s first full release since...

Typically we think of a power trio as guitar, bass, and drums, but House of Waters isn’t your typical power trio. The trio mixes things up with Max ZT on hammered dulcimer, Ignacio Rivas Bixio on percussion, and Moto Fukushima on bass. Fukushima was born and raised in Japan, moving to the United States in order to pursue a jazz...

If you’ve ever looked for great bassists online, chances are you’ve watched a clip of Federico Malaman. The Italian bassist has gained a solid following on Facebook and YouTube with videos that blend quirky humor and amazing bass playing. Whether he was covering Michael Jackson or collaborating on original songs, his magnetic persona makes for a fun watching experience. Now...