Archive for April 2016 - Page 9

Meet Matthew Girard, who works by day at the Museum of Fine Arts and keeps busy as a working bassist too. While Matthew started out on trumpet, his took his first shot at bass when that became an option. He hasn’t looked back. Matthew is this week’s reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story… Bio: As one of the more...

ESP unveiled the LTD AP-204 at this year’s NAMM Show, calling it a “modernized update of a classic shape for contemporary music styles.” The bass, which comes in Charcoal Metallic and Burgundy Burst finishes, is fitted with a set of ESP-designed P/J pickups. The bass is built with bolt-on construction featuring a mahogany body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard. The...

A little over a year ago, Musicians Institute discovered a video in their vault of Jaco Pastorius’s appearance during a master class, which took place in the mid-80’s. They recently posted the entire video, where Jaco fielded questions from students. “Despite the glitchy video, the bassist’s signature sound rings loud [and] clear as he unveils the secrets of his virtuosity...

Prolific bassist Anthony Jackson, particularly well known for his contrabass playing, has again collaborated with Japanese pianist/composer Hiromi and drummer Simon Phillips on Hiromi’s 10th album, Spark. The trio has played and recorded together for five years, with Spark being its fourth album. The collaboration may last for awhile, according to Jackson (Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Chick Corea, The O’Jays)....

This week we’re checking out the W Minor 5 by Wreck Guitars. Introduced late last year, the model can be fitted with a number of woods and pickup configurations. “This is a modern bass for light right arm playing with bridge moved more to the end of an instrument,” the company writes. “[The W Minor 5’s] balance is perfect for...

“Slow practice is fast practice” they say. To be sure, slow practice is a powerful strategy. Used by itself, however, it is incomplete. Ultimately, to perform fast passages well, we will need to have practiced them at full speed. In fact, if we are not careful, solely practicing a passage under tempo can drive us into a rut. It can...

I love bass and vocal duets, but this one is special. John Patitucci sat down with his daughter Gracie, who goes by Gra Music, for a gorgeous cover of the Beatles classic “I’ve Just Seen a Face.” Patitucci lays down the perfect groove and fills to flesh out the arrangement while allowing Gracie to sing it out. The musical connection...

Sometimes, those long-lost albums are actually released. Case in point: Mike & The Melvins’ Three Men and a Baby. The album, from bassist/vocalist Mike Kunka (godheadSilo, Enemymine) and The Melvins, who toured together in 1998 and decided to record an album together in 1999. A great number of things – everything from whooping cough to gear theft to surgery, according...

Time for your weekly dose of the best of the best from the world of bass. I was thrilled to see readers’ response to our how to columns and lessons – the list starts out with three of them – including the debut of Ted “Blyss” Gould’s “Talking Style” lesson. Of course, the list also includes some epic videos, new...

TC Electronic has expanded their new K-series bass cabinets with a new 1×15″ model. The K-115 Bass Cab is fitted with a custom-made 15-inch driver and a one-inch titanium tweeter to pump out up to 400 watts. Similar to the rest of the lineup, the cab is built as a lightweight design for gigging musicians. Its sturdy plywood construction includes...

Solo bassist Jesús Rico Pérez is back with a brand new video. This one is different than ones we’ve heard from the past, but equally strong in the composition and performance.

Joe Skyward, born Joe Howard, has died after a two-year fight with cancer. He was 57. The former Posies and Sunny Day Real Estate bassist’s passing was announced on the Posies Facebook page. “Joe Skyward, aka Joe Bass, left us last night,” the post read. “He had been fighting cancer for the last 2 years. Positive to the end, he...