Archive for May 2010 - Page 6
Pearl Jam Bassist to Judge Art Contest for Charity
Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament is joining up with the Montana Meth Project’s 2010 Paint the State art contest. The project was started to create community action programs designed to reduce the use of methamphetamine in Montana. Ament grew up in Big Sandy, Montana, where his father was mayor for 15 years and attended the University of Montana, where he...
Jeff Bradetich Releases “Double Bass: The Ultimate Challenge”
Double Bass: The Ultimate Challenge, Jeff Bradetich’s long anticipated book on Pedagogy and Performance for the double bass, has been released. This 12 chapter books covers a wide scope including specific focus on the right and left hands, intonation, bow strokes, pizzicato techniques, standing vs. sitting, fingering concepts, harmonics, vibrato and practice methods. Bradetich has a very distinguished career, including...
Ran Levi (aka Bassran): Bass Solo
Here’s Israeli bassist Ran Levi doing a cool bass solo on his 6-string Ken Smith bass. I like his phrasing a lot.
Aaron Germain: Before You Go
For the last 15 years, bassist Aaron Germain has backed up a wide range of performers, including Yusef Lateef, Stanley Jordon, Andy Narell, Bonnie Raitt and many others. Now Germain has released his debut album, Before You Go, his first as a leader. The album consists of 10 tracks, featuring Germain’s compositions ranging from jazz, funk, blues and reggae. Joining...
Bachman and Turner Give Sneak Peek of New Music
Bachman and Turner, who reunited late last year, have made two new tracks available to their online fans. This marks their first new release together in 20 years. “I’m thrilled to be working on new music with Fred [Turner] and feel a sense of excitement and anticipation,” guitarist Randy Bachman stated. “I feel like I’m coming full circle with a...
Carole King and James Taylor Release Features Leland Sklar
Carole King and James Taylor have recently released a live CD/DVD combo album, Live At The Troubadour. The 2007 performance was part of a 50th anniversary celebration of the venue, but also marked 36 years since King and Taylor played at the Troubadour together. “The Troubadour in 1971 wasn’t the beginning, but it was a big step into the light...
Christian McBride & Inside Straight: Stick & Move
Here’s a live performance by Christian McBride and his band, Inside Straight, performing at the Cotton Club in Tokyo in August 2009. This thing swings! Joining McBride are Tim Green on alto sax, Peter Martin on piano, Warren Wolf on vibes and Carl Allen on drums. The tune comes from the group’s Kind of Brown album (check out our past...
Brad Murray Leaves The Bled
Shortly after the release of their fourth album, The Bled has confirmed that bassist Brad Murray has left the band. Heat Fetish, released earlier this year, has received positive reviews. Murray’s departure comes right at the beginning of their latest USA tour “The Rise” with In Fear and Faith, Of Mice and Men, and The Color Morale. No statement has...
Stone Temple Pilots Bassist: Fatherhood, New Album and Tour
This will be an exciting month for Stone Temple Pilots bassist Robert DeLeo and his wife – they’re expecting their second son to be born in the next few weeks. Stone Temple Pilots will also be releasing a new self-titled album on May 25th – the first since 2001’s Shangri-La-Dee-Da. DeLeo had the following to say in a recent interview...
Dominic Miller Releases “November”, Featuring Level 42’s Mark King
Dominic Miller, the guitarist known best for his acoustic guitar work, has released his first electric album of his solo career, November. The move wasn’t easy, either. “I cleaned house and went back to zero again by putting [my first] four albums behind me,” shares Miller. Miller decided November would be an instrumental album, and knew his choice of compositions...
McCoy Tyner Band Featuring Avery Sharpe, Live
This McCoy Tyner band performance, shot during the mid 80’s at the Harvest Jazz Festival, features a great solo intro by bassist Avery Sharpe. Tyner follows up with an amazing solo of his own. The rest of the band includes Bobby Hutcherson, John Blake and Ronnie Burrage
Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphys Gives Back With Claddagh Fund
Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys has created a nonprofit organization called the Claddagh Fund, to help raise money for organizations helping needy children, veterans and their families, and alcohol and substance abuse recovery. Though it was only recently started, the fund has already raised nearly $200,000 with three events including a family skating session at Fenway Park. One of...