Reader Spotlight: Mason Nagy

Mason NagyMeet Mason Nagy, a bassist who is carrying on the family tradition of playing bass, from his grandfather to his dad to him. As with many bassists in the spotlight here, Mason is part of a very cool family.

Mason is our player in the spotlight for the week of January 8, 2013.

Bio:

With such achievements as having plenty of playing experience, “fluency” with electric and upright bass, recording experience, live TV time, song writing experience, touring experience (Live 4 Music Tour, Shaun Barrowes, School of Rock All Stars 2010 2011, 2012), played at the NAMM Convention, Red Rocks in Denver, previous endorsements with Lava Cables, Malekko Heavy Industry, Hipshot Products Inc. and many many more things, Mason G. Nagy is a very well rounded, disciplined and driven young musician and will keep it in his life until the end. With plans to study music in college, Mason is keeping on his toes by gigging weekly with multiple bands, and orchestras and practicing every chance he gets.

Location:

Utah

Day gig:

Well I guess my day job would be going to school and studying. I am in three performing music groups at school playing bass and participate in another orchestra and even in musical pit orchestras. By night, I play in a few bands at weddings and restaurants all across the valley. Those wedding gigs and such would technically be my “job” because it earns me money, but that is my only source of income.

Years experience:

Electric for eight years, upright for six.

Bands & Gigs:

I am in several bands that are just for fun with some school friends, but the wedding bands and restaurant gigging groups are more serious. One band has a weekly gig at a sushi restaurant every Wednesday. It is the best gig because we get paid in excellent sushi, and all we have to do is play music.

Gear:

  • Fender Road Worn Precision Bass
  • 1994 Ernie Ball Musicman StingRay
  • Ernie Ball Musicman Sterling Fretless
  • Unknown Upright Bass
  • MarkBass Little Mark III
  • SWR Workingman’s Twelve Combo
  • Fender BXR Combo
  • Hipshot Products Inc. Hardware
  • Lava Cables
  • Malekko Effects
  • Korg Metronome

Why I play the bass:

Ever since before I was born, my dad had played the bass. It wasn’t until around when I was about 9 when I first realized how amazing music was. My dad showed me how he could play some Led Zeppelin and slap in our basement one day. He also played guitar and showed me how my late great Grandpa Albert Muro played bass. I never got the chance to meet him, but my dad and my great grandma told me how great he was. My Grandma Esther Muro told me that when he first opened a set, he would play electric, but after he had a few drinks he would bring out the upright and stand on it and spin it and just party. I always thought that was really cool, and I will never forget that.

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

My bass superpower would probably have to be my ability to “fake” or learn songs on the spot, in a hurry. Sometimes, when a gig calls for it, someone just has to call out a song, and we have to start playing something. Some songs I have never even heard of before. By just using my ears though, I can pick out a chord progression and put my own bass line in, and I am able to find those real tasty notes and lay down a groove.

My influences:

My family, especially my parents and my grandpa, Aaron Hatch, Esperanza Spalding, Larry Graham, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Michael League, Chris Squire, Paul McCartney, Noel Redding, John Paul Jones, Les Claypool, Roger Waters, James Jamerson, Bootsy Collins, Michael Manring, Louis Johnson, Edgar Meyer.

More on the web:

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Leave a Reply to Chris Tinsley Cancel reply

  1. Great bio.I wish I could have known your Gpaw also your story about him made me smile.