Reader Spotlight: Paul Rogalski
Paul Rogalski is a busy bassist and educator living in Longmont, Colorado, which is interesting, considering he made his way to Colorado (after Berklee) to slow things down a bit.
Paul is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story…
Bio:
I headed west from Boston back in 1991 and planted my feet in Boulder Colorado. After studying intensely at Berklee College of Music in Boston it was time to take a break. Seeking adventure through music as a bass player has lead to a life of my own design. At the age of 50 years old I’ve grown my roots in the community and I’m always reaching further. Everything from being a founding member of The Rocky Mountain Bass Slam to releasing a new CD with my band MOJOMAMA to helping organize a teenage music festival, to being the CO Dealer for Pedulla Basses keeps the calendar full. I still find time to practice on a daily basis and try to reach new musical goals.
Location:
Longmont/Colorado/USA
Day gig:
My day job is being the owner and Bass Instructor of Mojo’s Music Academy in Longmont CO. My wife and I opened Mojo’s in 2007 and are still going strong with eight teachers and hosting over a 100 students per week. It’s a rewarding job working with students and families watching their kids grow up and excel in music. We’ve had students come back from Music College and teach for us, how cool is that? I also manage my band Mojomama, booking the gigs and all the website updates and keeping up with the internet stuff.
Years experience:
I got my first bass in 8th grade… Yikes! That’s a long time ago.
Bands & Gigs:
I started a band in 2002 called MOJOMAMA. My wife is the lead singer and we are still going strong. We just released our 4th original CD called Red White and Blues. The band is returning to Memphis for the second time in a row to perform at the International Blues Challenge representing the Colorado Blues Society. Our music is coined as Funked Up Blues.
Gear:
- 1984 Fender P Bass, with added Bartolini jazz pick up by Michael Pedulla
- Pedulla MVP 4 string
- Pedulla Nuance 6 string
- 2016 Rickenbacker 4001s
- Mark King Status 30 year anniversary bass #4
- Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0
- Genz Benz GBE 750
- Galien Krueger 800RB from 1985ish
- Genz Benz 4×10 Uber Cab
- Genz Benz 2×10 XB Cab
Why I play the bass:
When I would go to those school dances when they actually had a live band, I was always drawn to the bass player. Listening to old Cream records or Hendrix, the bass was talking to me. One day mom hooked my brother and me up with lessons. He picked the guitar and I picked the bass, and I was on my way to cranking it up in the house with band practice in the garage.
My bass superpower/claim to fame
My bass superpower is being a solid grounded player and not afraid to jam out a bit and take some chances. I love so many different styles of music I try to bring them to the band with songwriting.
My influences
Stanley Clarke, Bootsy Collins, Victor Wooten, Oteil Burbridge, Phil Lesh, Jaco Pastorius, Larry Graham, John Entwistle…
AAHHH, there’s too many to list.
More on the web:
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