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Archive for August 2018

Conversations: An Interview with Darryl Anders
Interviews

Conversations: An Interview with Darryl Anders

Agapésoul has just released their sophomore album, Conversations, featuring a host of guest artists supported by a core group of musicians. In the center of that core is bassist and bandleader Darryl Anders. Originally from Florida, Anders grew up in a musical family and picked up the bass after starting on trumpet in third grade. One listen to the monster...

Esperanza Spalding: I Adore You
Bass Videos

Esperanza Spalding: I Adore You

Esperanza Spalding performed at the International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert in Havana, Cuba in 2017. Joined by Yaroldi Abreu (percussion), Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), Bobby Carcasses (vocals), Antonio Sanchez (drums), and Christian Sands (piano), here’s their stunning performance of Spalding’s tune “I Adore You.”

Janek Gwizdala Releases “Last Minute World Tour Live”
New Albums

Janek Gwizdala Releases “Last Minute World Tour Live”

Last year, Janek Gwizdala did something a little crazy. He took off on a musical trip around the world at the drop of a hat. “The Last Minute World Tour took place throughout 2017, and included over 30 live concerts,” he explains. “From theatres and concert halls to private houses and intimate clubs, this was one of the most intimate...

Seymour Duncan Unveils Fooz Analog Fuzz Synthesizer Pedal
Pedals & Effects

Seymour Duncan Unveils Fooz Analog Fuzz Synthesizer Pedal

Seymour Duncan has unveiled a new analog fuzz synthesizer pedal for all instruments called the Fooz. The highly tweak-able circuit dishes out fuzz and filter effects. “Inspired by iconic guitar tones and synth flexibility, Fooz delivers the spirit of synth creativity to guitar and bass players, as well as electronic musicians. It brings everything to the show – Fuzz, Wah,...

Alina Engibaryan with Michael League: The New You (Live at The Jazz Standard)
Bass Videos

Alina Engibaryan with Michael League: The New You (Live at The Jazz Standard)

Back in June, Alina Engibaryan performed at the Jazz Standard in New York. The pianist/vocalist had quite a backing band too, including Michael League, who played bass and Moog and offered up some background vocals. This is their performance of “The New You” from Alina’s album .

John Benítez Releases Vol. 2 of Bass Method Books
Sheet Music & Instruction

John Benítez Releases Vol. 2 of Bass Method Books

Latin jazz bassist John Benítez has expanded his line of bass method instructional books with a second book. The John Benitez Bass Method, Vol. 2: El Sonero del Barrio – A Creative Approach to Salsa expands on book one’s rhythmic aspects by focusing on specific playing contexts from his recording career. “Vol. 2 concentrates on Benítez’s incredibly innovative approach to...

Darkglass Electronics Reveals Hyper Luminal Hybrid Compressor Pedal
Pedals & Effects

Darkglass Electronics Reveals Hyper Luminal Hybrid Compressor Pedal

Darkglass Electronics announced a new pedal to their lineup with the Hyper Luminal compressor, which they say features the first hybrid design with an analog VCA controlled by a digital side-chain. The setup allows for capturing the characters of some legendary compressors while keeping the signal path all analog. Another unique feature are a pair of touch sensors that control...

Percussive Techniques for Bass
Ask Damian Erskine

Percussive Techniques for Bass

For the next few weeks, we’ll be going over some more lesson oriented topics. I’m kicking off the series with a look at percussive techniques on the bass, specifically using your plucking hand. There are some easy techniques to approach as well as some more difficult ones. Work on these slowly with a metronome starting with the basic patterns before...

Marcelo Hormaechea: Dreamland
Bass Videos

Marcelo Hormaechea: Dreamland

Marcelo Hormaechea sent us this video, saying “This is my little tribute to Jaco on one of my favorite tracks he recorded with Michael Colombier. This video is one of a series of demo videos from the music school where I teach.” We always loved this track, and Marcelo nails it.

Tank and the Bangas Announce Fall Tour
Concerts & Tours

Tank and the Bangas Announce Fall Tour

Tank and The Bangas took the internet by storm when they won the 2017 NPR Tiny Desk Concert contest. Their blend of R&B and hip-hop is brought to life by the band’s infectious energy with vocalist Tarriona “Tank” Ball leading the charge and bassist Jonathan Johnson leading the groove. The band has just announced a fall tour that will take...

Reader Spotlight: Jonathan Alvear
Reader Spotlight

Reader Spotlight: Jonathan Alvear

Meet Jonathan Alvear, a student of bass who also spends his time outside of school as a studio and solo bassist. Jonathan is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story… Bio: I’m currently a bachelor bass performance student at Musicians Institute. I play mostly 6 string bass. My specialty is playing looped solo bass compositions as...

Tedeschi Trucks Band: I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)
Bass Videos

Tedeschi Trucks Band: I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)

Tedeschi Trucks Band paid tribute to Aretha Franklin with the first tune of their 2018 LOCKN’ Festival set. They nail a soulful performance of “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)” with Tim Lefebvre laying down the low end. RIP, Queen of Soul.