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Archive for February 2009

Gig Announcements

Featured Bass Gigs

Owensboro, Kentucky: Metal/Thrash/Progressive band “Factory Damage” is seeking a bass player details | band site Oxnard, California: An unnamed band posted, “are you sick of playing METAL? Are you sick of the same ol’ cover tunes? Do you want to be in a truly original band with a bunch of cool people? We are looking for a BASS player who...

Player News

A look at Larry Hartke’s “greatest unsigned bassists”

Hartke Systems founder Larry Hartke decided he wanted to find great, unsigned bass players from around the world, so he published his cell phone number with a call to action. Over 5,000 players responded by sending in their CDs and web sites to him, and he’s since selected three winners. Each will receive Hartke artist equipment endorsements and industry exposure....

New Albums

Christian McBride joins Mike Clark on “Blueprints of Jazz”

Drummer Mike Clark has released a new album in Talking House Records’s “Blueprints of Jazz” series. For “Vol. 1“, Clark enlisted Christian McBride for the standup bass role. Patrice Rushen joins on piano, Jed Levy on tenor sax, and Donald Harrison on alto sax. Track Listing: 1. In The House 2. Like That 3. 10th Ave. 1957 4. Past Lives...

Larry Graham: Funk Original
Bass Videos

Larry Graham: Funk Original

The original slap bassist Larry Graham shows how it is done in today’s featured video. Once you get the slapping part down, you can add the vocals. Woooo. I like that.

Player News

Return To Forever: like they never even left

Jazz/rock fusion pioneers Return To Forever are back with an upcoming 2CD set and DVD. If the success of their 2008 USA and European tour is any indicator, the new album “Returns” will be well-received. Releasing on March 2nd, it will be the band’s first since 1979 with the original lineup of Stanley Clarke on bass, Chick Corea on keyboards,...

News

RHCP extend study break

Flea continues to hit the books at the University of Southern California – Los Angeles, which is prompting the Red Hot Chili Peppers to consider taking another year of sabbatical. Or so they say. According to an ominous statement from drummer Chad Smith, there could be other factors involved. “You can’t force anybody to play who doesn’t want to. I’m...

Marcus Miller’s “Frankenstein” Groove
Bass Videos

Marcus Miller’s “Frankenstein” Groove

This is a favorite among the notreble team. Marcus Miller and company take Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” and really groove. The band includes Miller, Keith Anderson, Poogie Bell, Dean Brown, Bobby Sparks and Patches Stewart and was filmed during the 2005 Tokyo Jazz concert.

News

A Boatful of Jazz

In a recent All About Jazz article, Larry Taylor takes us along on the Playboy Jazz Cruise which sailed late last month on Holland America’s Westerdam. The Caribbean voyage was hosted by Marcus Miller and featured a different headlining musician for each night. The all-things-jazz cruise included history presentations, Q&A with the musicians, and late night jam sessions around the...

Concerts & Tours

Michael Manring Tour Updates (Feb-June 2009)

Here’s the latest and greatest tour information from Michael Manring Solo performances Fri Feb 27 & 28 Anthropology Live Music Club in Mexico City, Mexico Jackie Perkins & the Exotique Band Thu March 5 Teatro Astoria in Lerici (SP), Italy (info: [email protected]) Jackie Perkins & the Exotique Band Fri March 6 Auditorium Toscanini in Parma, Italy Info: [email protected] Jackie Perkins...

Yowee. Hot Tuna: Uncle Sam Blues
Bass Videos

Yowee. Hot Tuna: Uncle Sam Blues

Our friend Will sent us this video, from a 1971 Hot Tuna performance including the “devil devil devil of a man”, bassist Jack Casady. Enjoy “Uncle Sam Blues”:

News

Jaco Pastorius Park

Palms Beach ArtsPaper has a nice feature on the new park honoring the late, great Jaco Pastorius. The park is on Dixie Highway in Oakland Park, Florida, near where Jaco grew up, and covers seven acres. The park opened on what would have been Jaco’s 57th birthday, last December 1st. You can read the entire feature on the Palms Beach...

Bass Gear

The latest in bass fashion?

Blankets are okay, but they can slip and slide. So now there’s something called a Drapester for your axe, aka “the bass cover with sleeves!” According to their press release, Drapesters are essential to protect against dust, sunlight and “curious fingers” (because a towel just won’t do). They come in several sizes, from bass to parlor guitar, and you won’t...