Archive for March 2010

DPA Microphones have announced the newest addition to their 4099 clip mic series with the 4099B for upright bass. The new model sports a clip design which attaches to the E and G- strings below the bridge and a gooseneck design for optimum mic placement. The 4099B is a condenser microphone featuring a supercardioid polar pattern to enhance gain before...

Q: Preston Dickens writes: “I’m a self-taught woodshedder and am about to start playing with a live band at a church. Having never played with a live drummer, what advice can you offer?” A: We come from the same school, actually! I spent my youth in the shed by myself working everything out and feeling like I had to just...

Here’s a great video featuring bassist John Goldsby with saxophonist Jacob Duncan and drummer Jason Tiemann performing “Ligeti Split”. The tune will be on the group’s upcoming album The Innkeeper’s Gun. Look for the album on June 1, 2010.

Dave Holland starts his world tour in April, performing with different groups along the way. Holland recently released Pathways, the first album with his new octet, and a new Archive Series of albums. Tour Schedule April 16, 2010: Regattabar – Cambridge, MA (Quintet) April 17, 2010: Regattabar – Cambridge, MA (Quintet) April 18, 2010: Buckley Center – Amherst, MA (Quintet)...

Meet Maurizio Rolli, our bassist in the spotlight for March 30th, 2010. Bio: Maurizio Rolli is a graduate in double bass and jazz music studies. He is currently teaching electric bass and double bass as well as jazz harmony studies at the Accademia Musicale Pescarese in Pescara, Italy. He has worked with: Jim Hall, Mike Stern,Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, Alex...

There is a special symbiosis that occurs when a bassist and drummer work together on projects for significant lengths of time. When those musicians are as great as the ones on this record, the results can be wonderful. Mazurka for a Modern Man, in part, is a documentation of such a symbiosis. It’s a wonderful contemporary jazz record, imbued with...

Here’s amazing French bassist Albin Suffys, playing a solo piece from a private demo at American producer Candace Forest’s house. Prepare to be impressed.

Mike Dirnt and Green Day will be coming back to North America for summer tour dates after they complete their overseas trek which wraps up in July. The group is still touring in support of their latest Grammy award winning album, 21st Century Breakdown. A musical inspired and featuring the music of Green Day will be opening on Broadway on...

The Ansir Bravura prize bass is complete and ready for the lucky winner to be announced on 3/31. Check out bassist Warren Harris (aka Hanna), giving the bass a good trial run: If you haven’t entered the contest, you still have time. The drawing will be held on March 31st. Enter here.

Recently I got a series of questions from a upright bass player in Norway regarding amplification of the double bass and the use of electronic effects (EFX). Since I get these sorts of questions often, I thought I would print some of my thoughts here as part of the lowdown. If you have your own questions, feel free to send...

Check out this great video of Michael Manring playing his solo bass arrangement of Stanley Turrentine’s song “Sugar”. The clip comes from Hudson Music’s “Bass Day 1998” DVD, which also features Victor Wooten and Rocco Prestia.

Here are the top 10 articles from No Treble for the week of March 21st, 2010. 1. Video: Jacogrow’s Funk Groove: Fretless Bass Improv Choi Dong-Ju, who goes by the screen name “jacogrow” posted this cool fretless bass jam, showcasing some of his great Gary Willis-inspired bass playing. 2. Gear: TC Electronic BG500 Combo Amps TC Electronic is introducing the...