Reader Spotlight: Lawrence Haber

Lawrence Haber

Meet Lawrence Haber, a bassist who performs on electric and upright professionally, and studied privately with Joe Macaro, Gerald Veasley, and John JD DeServio. “I consider myself an amalgam of all three who share discipline, focus, and passion,” he shares.

Lawrence is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story…

Bio:

I am professional electric and upright bass player gigging and recording around the New York Metropolitan area, and the New Jersey shore. I have performed with many different bands and original artists including Bob Steeler (Hot Tuna), JSOUL (NBC’s The Voice), and Hankandbezzy. I’ve recorded extensively for the award-winning international children’s music program Music Together, where I also work as a Licensing Manager supporting their In-School curriculum. For over a decade, I was the bass player for The Fever, a popular tri-state area dance band. I am grateful to continue to perform hundreds of gigs each year, write and record with a variety of projects, and work with Music Together to bring the joy of music to families around the world, including to those that are underserved.

Location:

Freehold, NJ US

Day gig:

Licensing Manager for Music Together LLC, Professional Bass Player

Years experience:

20 years

Bands & Gigs:

Currently, my schedule mainly consists of four bands who play mostly around New Jersey and New York – Skinny Amigo, Funk Point 5, The Gammon Brothers Band, and Hankandbezzy. These projects keep things interesting! Depending on the gig I may play electric, upright, sing lead, or even run sound. I also freelance and record with dozens of bands in every style.

Gear:

My current lineup covers all of my gigs and sessions:

  • Lakland 55-02
  • Frankenstein Mexican Fender Jazz
  • Roscoe Century Standard 6
  • Christopher plywood double bass
  • Gollihur Brazilwood Bow
  • Aguilar TH500
  • Aguilar SL 112 cabinets
  • Elixir Strings
  • Darkglass Microtubes B7K
  • Digitech Bass Synth Wah
  • Electro-Harmonix Bassballs Nano
  • TC Electronic Flashback Delay
  • Dunlop Straplocks
  • Fishman BP-100 pickup
  • Fishman BII preamp

Why I play the bass:

My friends in High School moved from playing collectible-card games to playing music. I was DJing at parties with my father at the time, and loved rhythm and making people dance and sing. I decided I would play bass with my friends, and lessons with legendary New Jersey instructor Joe Macaro soon followed which started me down a more serious path pursuing music.

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

I am primarily known as someone who learns the material and can fit right into an existing situation seamlessly. Before a gig, I go over a band’s song list, chart out specific nuances, and recall any arrangements. I always try and lock in with the drummer right away, focusing on making things feel familiar and solid for the whole band.

My influences:

I’ve had the privilege of studying privately with Joe Macaro, Gerald Veasley, and John JD DeServio. I consider myself an amalgam of all three who share discipline, focus, and passion. I’m also influenced heavily by Pino Palladino, Victor Wooten, John Entwistle, Jaco Pastorius, Anthony Jackson, Paul Jackson, Janek Gwizdala, Louis Johnson, and my dad.

More on the web:

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