Skip to main content

Archive for May 2014 - Page 3

Freekbass: Victoria Thunder
Bass Videos

Freekbass: Victoria Thunder

Tie dye? Check. Disco skating? Check. Funky bass? Check, check, check. Freekbass likes to keep things funky and, well, freeky. Here’s the first video for the track “Victoria Thunder” from his latest album, Everybody’s Feelin’ Real.

Luminlay Introduces M19 Luminescent Knobs
Accessories & Strings

Luminlay Introduces M19 Luminescent Knobs

Luminscent position marker company Luminlay has expanded their product line to include the MA19 series of knobs. The knobs, which come in five colors, are inlaid with luminescent numbers for easy visibility on a dark stage. Similar to their inlays, the knob’s numbers are activated by a Luminlay LED light charger. Suited for a six millimeter shaft diameter, the knobs...

Bass Players to Know: Jack Bruce
Bass Players To Know

Bass Players to Know: Jack Bruce

Time to throw a little rock and roll into the series! This column features Jack Bruce, the classically influenced singing bass player from across the pond. So who is Jack Bruce? Widely known for his work with Cream, Bruce has had an amazing career both as a band member and solo artist. Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, Bruce grew up in...

Gino Vannelli: “Wild Horses” Live
Bass Videos

Gino Vannelli: “Wild Horses” Live

The first time I heard of Gino Vannelli was thanks to Damian Erskine (who now plays regularly with Gino). Back in 2007, Gino and his band at the Java Jazz Festival in 2007, including this tune, “Wild Horses”. The thing that grabbed me most about this performance was bassist Sandin Wilson’s fretless work and tone. See if you agree.

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band Releases “Life in the Bubble”
New Albums

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band Releases “Life in the Bubble”

“Your life will be greatly enriched” by Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band’s sixth album, . Or at least that’s what bandleader Goodwin has to say. The 10-song collection (seven of which are originals) features the Grammy-winning band, featuring Rick Shaw on bass (he also plays with Johnny Mathis, Bill Holman, and Chick Corea,) in top form. Goodwin said the players...

Bass of the Week: Oliver Lang Instruments Limes “Erik”
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: Oliver Lang Instruments Limes “Erik”

This week we check out the Limes bass, a unique singlecut design that’s handmade by Oliver Lang Instruments. The series came as a collaboration between Lang and his customer Michael after meeting at a fretless workshop. Together they created the first of the Limes series, dubbed the “Erik,” which features a five-piece maple and walnut neck, walnut body wings with...

Paul McCartney Hospitalized, Tour Dates Postponed
News

Paul McCartney Hospitalized, Tour Dates Postponed

Paul McCartney has been forced to postpone his appearances in Japan and South Korea this month after being sidelined by a viral infection. The 71-year-old is reportedly hospitalized in Tokyo, although his admittance was not confirmed. “Thank you so much for your kind messages of support. I’m so very touched,” the former Beatle stated on his website. “Unfortunately my condition...

Oscar Pettiford and Attila Zoller: The Gentle Art of Love
Bass Videos

Oscar Pettiford and Attila Zoller: The Gentle Art of Love

I’m a sucker for jazz ballads on bass, so when Christopher Brydge shared this duo of Oscar Pettiford and Attila Zoller playing “The Gentle Art of Love,” I dropped everything to watch. The video is part of some rare footage from a TV program called “Black and White Show no. 2” which aired on June 15th, 1959. Pettiford, who is...

Oz Noy Releases “Twisted Blues Vol. 2” with Will Lee and Roscoe Beck
New Albums

Oz Noy Releases “Twisted Blues Vol. 2” with Will Lee and Roscoe Beck

Bassists Will Lee (The Late Show with David Letterman) and Roscoe Beck (Leonard Cohen, Robben Ford, The Dixie Chicks, Eric Johnson) provide the low end for singular guitarist/composer Oz Noy on his sixth album, . The album is a follow-up to the 2011 release of Volume 1, also featuring Lee and Beck. An Israeli native who has called the U.S....

In Memoriam: Randy Coven
In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Randy Coven

Rock bassist Randy Coven, who toured and recorded with artists including Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai, passed away on May 20th of undisclosed causes. He was 54. Born in Great Neck, New York, Coven was introduced to music at a young age. His parents fostered his love of music by taking him to the Beatles concert at Shea Stadium when...

Getting the Most Out of Music Books
Ask Damian Erskine

Getting the Most Out of Music Books

Q: Do you think you could run through / give some examples of how to make use of rhythm books like Modern Reading Text In 4/4, and theory books like Jazz Theory by Mark Levine or Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns by Nicolas Slominsky? A: Nice selection of books! Generally speaking, my approach is to combine any rhythm exercises...

Ian Trusheim: Stair Steps
Bass Videos

Ian Trusheim: Stair Steps

Get ready to chill out. Ian Trusheim sent in this awesome solo bass tune he wrote called “Stair Steps.” The song revolves around a nice groove that develops into a beautiful harmonic progression to which the bassist adds a simple yet gripping vocal melody.