Archive for 2014 - Page 21

Seeking out some new jazz propelled by a bass player’s sensibilities? Check out Théo Zipper Quartet’s album, . Led by French bassist and composer, Théo Zipper, the quartet also includes tenor/soprano sax player Max Fortin, Yannick Jacquet on piano, Fender Rhodes, and cello, and Lucas Vanderputten on drums. Zipper says his, and the quartet’s, goal, is to create osmosis between...

I love it when a top 10 list makes a top 10 list… more to check out! This one has that and a whole lot more reader favorites, from the week of October 11-17, 2014. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing. 1. Mike Wheeler Band: That’s What Love Will Make You Do Here’s a video that will get you moving...

Federico Malaman has been impressing us with his playing for years. Now he’s teamed up with Laurus to create the new Federico Malaman Signature Quasar Bass. Based on the company’s Quasar, the instrument is a 5-string fretless with its tuning machines at the bridge. One of the most striking features of the model is its chambered body, which has three...

We’ve seen some great grooves and solo bass from Miki Santamaria before. In this video, his incredible playing is in support of vocalist DaBeat, in this duo’s take of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”. Enjoy.

The Melvins have not one, but two members of the Butthole Surfers appearing on the group’s latest album . The Surfers’ Jeff Pinkus, who has also toured with The Melvins, is sitting in for regular bassist Jared Warren, who is on paternity leave from the band. The Sufers’ guitarist Paul Leary is also on the record. The Melvins’ Buzz Osborne...

Vox has upgraded their amPlug line of headphone amplifiers including a bass-specific version. The amPlug G2 Bass plugs into your bass’s output jack and allows you to plug in headphones for silent practicing. Among the new features, the amPlug G2 Bass has had its analog circuit improved with the company’s Bassilator circuit, which Vox says reproduces the low punch distinctive...

One of the stops on Snarky Puppy’s current world tour was the Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival in Boston, on September 27th. Luckily, cameras were rolling. Here’s the band performing “What About Me” at the Festival, from their latest album, We Like It Here. This one has it all, including the great bass faces from Michael League.

bnd Products has introduced the bnd/one, a flexible bass and guitar stand that bends to fit inside a bass or guitar case. The stand, which can support both basses and guitars, features a three-piece design. Its bendable neck snaps onto the base and neck support. The neck support also bends to cradle your bass’s neck. The bnd/one comes in black...

Since Bill Wyman was the focus of the previous Bass Players to Know column, I’ve suddenly found myself excited by the timeless tradition of rock and roll. Whether it’s the loud guitars, eccentric front men, or iconic songs, the great rock and roll bands embody the sound, image, and appeal of “cool.” As a child of the 90’s (when music...

If you haven’t caught on, I’m a big Jonathan Scales Fourchestra fan. The combination of steel drummer Scales, bassist Cody Wright and drummer Phill Bronson gets such a tight yet exploratory sound. Here’s the band performing “Lone Wolf” at a concert in Fairfield, Connecticut earlier this year. Wright kicks things off with some beautiful artificial harmonics before moving into the...

Don’t call the Tommy Igoe Groove Conspiracy a jazz big band. Instead, the San Francisco-based 15-piece band led by Igoe is something else. “We’re a rock band in a jazz band’s body,” said Igoe, a distinguished drummer. And it’s definitely a group with plenty of low end. Dewayne Pate serves as the band’s primary bassist, but on the group’s ,...

Here’s something you’ve probably never seen. The Jackson Steel Guitar Company has introduced the SlideKing Bass, an instrument that blends a bass guitar with a pedal steel guitar. Introduced at Summer NAMM this year, the bass is set up horizontally with pedals and comes in 4- or 5-string models. It’s built with a solid hard rock maple body and neck...