Reader Spotlight: Ryan Madora

Ryan MadoraMeet Ryan Madora, a bassist from Philadelphia, PA and our player in the spotlight for August 31, 2010.

Bio:

Redefining the look of traditional bass players, Ryan Madora is currently lighting up the Philadelphia music scene with old school soul and blues inspired grooves. At the age of 16, Ryan began attending blues jams in the Philadelphia area and quickly decided to pursue an education and career in music. After spending four years studying at New York University and graduating with a degree in Music Business, she has returned to her hometown to play with a number of talented musicians. In addition to working with various bands and playing everything from blues to zydeco to top 40 hits, Ryan teaches private lessons and works in marketing/PR for Summer Music Programs, a music camp located outside of Philadelphia.

Location:

Philadelphia, PA

Day gig:

Professional musician, music teacher, and instructor at Summer Music Programs

Years experience:

9 years

Bands & Gigs:

I currently have two main gigs which keep me busy around Philly, South Jersey, and Delaware. I’m in “The Don Evans Band,” a blues and soul band with guitarist/vocalist Don Evans. I also work with a four piece cover band, “MoFaux,” that typically works the club and casino circuit.

Gear:

  • ’98 Fender Jazz V American Deluxe
  • Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 with 2 12s

Why I play the bass:

After spending a few years fooling around with various instruments and playing drums in the school band, I was looking for something take me a step beyond playing solely a rhythm instrument. I convinced my parents to let me get a bass and spent countless hours in my basement attempting to play along to the Blues Brothers soundtrack and Motown records. I finally realized that I found the one instrument that I heard above all else and everything suddenly “clicked.”

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

Keeping the groove and being a five foot tall female that plays a very large instrument.

My influences:

James Jamerson, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Brian Bromberg, Richard Bona, Mike Richmond, Gerald Veasley, George Porter Jr., Anthony Wellington, Bakithi Kumalo, The Beatles and Paul McCartney, Victor Wooten, Ray Brown, Willie Dixon, Bonnie Raitt, Janis Ian, Jeff Beck, Beethoven, Debussy, Otis Reading, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, Don Evans

More on the web:

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Leave a Reply to Billy Wooten Cancel reply

  1. Skip

    Wow you are really on the fast track – as a bootcamp member I am proud of you. Stay humble…

  2. Billy Wooten

    Skip speaks for all of the BBC Family, Ryan. We are all very proud of you!

    Thanks, Corey.

  3. Catherine Radbill

    Ryan is one of our star NYU Music Business alumni. Ask her about her life-changing trip to Prague. You’re an amazing musician with a fine career in the making.

  4. mojobass

    Hey Ryan Madora….just read this spotlight feature after catching your latest release in 2015… Just love that you are staying the STAX,Motown, Muscle Shoals course ….Can’t go wrong there ?