Bassists: News, Spotlights, Interviews
Bassists - Page 124
Rhonda Smith to join Jeff Beck’s tour in 2010
Jeff Beck has put together a new rhythm section for his upcoming tour dates in Europe and the U.S. Bassist Rhonda Smith and drummer Narada Michael Walden take the spot filled by Tal Wilkenfeld and Vinnie Colaiuta for the last few years for this part of the tour. Smith is best known for her work with Prince, and her funky...
Missouri State adds Charlie Haden to faculty and new jazz studies program
Missouri State University’s Bachelor of Music performance degree now includes a jazz studies program. To help kick off the program in a big way, bass legend Charlie Haden has agreed to join the faculty as the 2010-11 artist-in-residence. “This comprehensive Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance degree will prepare young musicians for careers as professional performers, composers, and arrangers in...
Duff McKagan rumored to be writing and recording with Jane’s Addiction
Velvet Revolver and ex-Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan is reportedly writing and recording with the group Jane’s Addiction, according to fan web site Xiola.org. The news following a twitter post from original J.A. bassist Eric Avery, saying “fyi, to answer the question directly, i am not writing with janes addiction.” Jane’s Addiction reunited with the original lineup in late...
Reader Spotlight: Ronnie Penque
Meet Ronnie Penque, our bassist in the spotlight for January 26, 2010. Bio: Ronnie Penque has been playing music for over 30 years. When not working with NRPS or his band RONNIE PENQUE BAND, which includes his brother Chris Penque on guitar, Ron is busy as a session player. Ronnie started out as the original bass player in the popular...
James Jamerson’s widow sues La Bella Strings
According to the Detroit Free Press, the widow of Motown’s master bassist James Jamerson is suing La Bella Strings for using his name and image in its marketing. The suit is seeking at least $25,000. Annie Jamerson, 68, is filing the suit against La Bella, which “touts James Jamerson in the packaging and ads for a set of bass strings.”...
Paul McCartney “could have been” in Them Crooked Vultures
According to an article in British newspaper The Daily Mail, former Fab Four member Paul McCartney was interested in being in the successful supergroup Them Crooked Vultures. The band of course now features bassist John Paul Jones. After the Grammy awards last year, Paul had dinner with drummer Dave Grohl and the conversation turned to Grohl’s new project. “We went...
Rob Wasserman to rejoin RatDog for special event
Rob Wasserman will rejoin former Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir and his band RatDog for an event called the RatDog Daze, which will be taking place in Negril, Jamaica. The event begins January 23. Current RatDog bassist Robin Sylvester cannot make the gig for unspecified medical reasons. The band gave a statement, saying “The entire Bob Weir & RatDog family...
Jack Bruce: Composing Himself; The Authorized Biography
Jack Bruce recounts tales of life on the road, drug addiction, management problems, and family tragedies in the upcoming book, Jack Bruce: Composing Himself. Penned by Henry Shapiro, the book takes a detailed look at the life of one of rock’s most influential bassists, beginning with his study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama as a child...
Reader Spotlight: Marco Rodi
Meet Marco Rodi, our bassist in the spotlight for January 19, 2010. Bio: My name is Marco Rodi and I’m a solo bassist from Montreal Quebec. I won several artistic competitions here in Montreal like: Cegep en spectacle, Université en spectacle, where I had 15 minutes to show the solo bass potential onstage. I was representing my country, Canada, as...
Joy Division/New Order’s Peter Hook to open new club
Bassist Peter Hook of New Order (formerly Joy Division) is opening a new music venue in his hometown of Manchester. The venue, called FAC251: The Factory, features 3 floors and a 350-person capacity, is set to launch on January 29. Interestingly enough, the actual building is where Joy Division’s old label, Factory Records, had its offices. Hook says of the...
Reggie Washington joins Markbass
Markbass has announced that Reggie Washington has joined their growing list of endorsing bassists. Reggie’s choice of gear is the MoMark amplifier (800W amp frame, S2 preamp, EQ4S EQ module, and M0 master module), a Little Mark Tube 800 amplifier, and two Standard 104HR cabinets. For upright, he has a Markacoustic AC 121 combo. “My first time really checking out...
Walter Payton Suffers Stroke
Walter Payton, bassist for the famous New Orleans based Preservation Hall Jazz Band, suffered a stroke on January 8, just before a gig in Washington D.C. The jazz band was set to perform with the Blind Boys of Alabama that night, when one of the band’s road crew members found Payton in his room. He has since been recovering in...