Reader Spotlight - Page 33

Meet Ethan Sobotta, an extraordinarily diverse bassist living in Seattle who makes his living the way it should be: playing bass. Among the musical genres he lists are “Punk rock sea shanties and Appalachian death polka,” somehow performed by a single band. Ethan is our player in the spotlight for November 15, 2011.   Bio: I studied bass at the...

Meet Vuyani Wakaba, a bassist from South Africa now living and playing in Chicago. Vuyani is our player in the spotlight for November 8, 2011. Bio: South Africa’s Vuyani Wakaba is the bassist for the Chicago blues legend and Delmark Records artist Eddie C. Campbell. Vuyani is also the bassist and founder of the Chicago jazz fusion band Vuyani Wakaba...

Meet Ollie Pietruch, a bassist, session musician and teacher from the UK who some liken to the late Cliff Burton. Ollie is our player in the spotlight for November 1, 2011. Bio: I started playing bass at the age of 15, and now five years down the line I have achieved distinctions for both years at Music College in the...

Meet Dan Willett a bassist and lifelong musician from the UK who says he still hasn’t grown up yet. We dig that. Bio: I’ve been a musician for nearly my entire life, having taken my first keyboard and music theory lessons at the age of four. These days, the bass is very much my main instrument, and in the Midlands...

Meet Lane Baldwin, aka Lane on Bass, a bassist of 42 years and our player in the spotlight for October 18, 2011. Bio: Bassist for 42 years, pro for 29. Endorsements include Spector basses, DNA amplification, DR Strings, LM Products (straps), Peterson Tuners, Shubb Capos, Manhasset Stands. Musical Ambassador for Washington, DC. Current main gig: Ryan Pelton and the Difference...

Meet Michael Wu, a bassist from Upstate New York and our player in the spotlight for October 11, 2011. Bio: Michael is a freelance bassist in the Greater Binghamton Area, Upstate NY. He is currently supporting two acts, One Click Culture w/Todd Evans, former Tempest (Magna Carta) guitarist and Lo-Fi Resistance (with Randy McStine). Although his roots are firmly planted...

Meet bassist Keith Gibbons, a working musician and songwriter from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Keith is our player in the spotlight for October 4, 2011. Bio: I’ve been a songwriter as far back as I can remember, but I didn’t realize that until a few years ago. I started playing bass because being in a band and writing pop-punk songs seemed like...

Meet Blackie Dawson, a 18-year veteran of the low end, and our bassist in the spotlight for September 27, 2011. Bio: I have been playing bass since I was 19 years old. I spent many years just playing along to Iron Maiden, early Metallica, Black Sabbath and Dead Kennedys tapes and CDs. In 2007, I started playing bass in my...

Meet Ade Heslop, a bassist from Northampton who went from glam rock in the 80’s to pop/rock/indie currently. Ade is our player in the spotlight for September 20, 2011. Bio: Ade Heslop, aka Tenacious Ade and never one to ‘let it go’, is the diving force behind Northampton covers band BOXEDDY. I’ve done a lot, played a lot, had a...

Meet Mike Herrel, a bassist living in Frisco, Texas. Mike is our player in the spotlight for September 13, 2011. Bio: I began playing bass in grade school and later did the high school band thing, playing lots of Rush tunes. I attended BIT after high school and since then have become a lifetime music student. I played in a...

Meet Michael Modeste, a jazz-turned-metal bassist from Hartford, Connecticut. Michael is our player in the spotlight for September 6, 2011. Bio: I am the bass player in a metal band called Dead by Wednesday. I’m a finger style bass player with a jazz background that somehow fell into the world of heavy metal. I’ve studied privately with John Patitucci and...

Meet Jon Willis, a bassist from Savannah, Georgia who got his start studying with Beaver Felton, and has more than 20 years experience as a bassist. Jon is our player in the spotlight for August 30, 2011. Bio: Began playing bass in early 90’s. I bought a Hot Licks VHS featuring Beaver Felton and soon found out that he lived...