Reader Spotlight: Lucas Fernandes

Meet Lucas Fernandes, a bassist from Brazil who first picked up the bass in school and said it was “love at the first low note.”

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

Bio:

I have studied bass with some great names of the local scene, like Oswaldo Amorim, Hamilton Pinheiro, and Alexandre Macarrão. I had participated on several Summer Courses of the Brasília Music School, studying with names like Sizão Machado, Jorge Helder, and Thiago Espirito Santo. Also, I had the great opportunity on taking single lessons with Marco Panascia and Jeff Andrews in New York City.

I’ve been playing with great names of the local scene. Besides it, I had produced some workshops with great Brazilian bass players.

Location:

Brasília/DF/Brazil

Day gig:

I’m a master of science with statistics specialization, working on a Brazilian government company.

Years experience:

Since 2005.

Bands & Gigs:

I have been working with Funqquestra, an 8-piece jazz-funk-Brazilian music ensemble. This band has two drummers, which is super fun to play. We have been playing on some greats Brazilian jazz festival.

Besides this, I play a lot with Iara Gomes, a gifted pianist, composer, and arranger, and recently I became a member of De Vento em Popa, a 6 flute + band ensemble the toured recently on France.

Also, I play weekly with my trio, playing jazz and pop songs with instrumental arrangements.

Gear:

• Black Olinto by La Bella 60’s PBass with Roundwound Strings
• Golden Olinto by La Bella 50’s PBass with Flatwound Strings
• Carvin SB5000 5-string
• Supro Huntington I Short Scale
• Lakland Skyline Hollowbody Freltess

Why I play the bass:

Friends from school decided to begin a band, and I decided to play the bass. It was my first instrument, love at the first low note.

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

I have not a claim to fame, just want to always play good music and making good friends with the music.

My influences:

Brazilian bass players like Luizão Maia, Sizão Machado, Nico Assumpção, Jorge Helder, Thiago do Espirito Santo, Robinho Tavares.

Outside Brazil: Pino Palladino, James Jamerson, Anthony Jackson, Jeff Andrews, Paul Chambers, Marco Panascia, Dario Deidda, Kaveh Rastegar… There are so many!

More on the web:

• Website
• Instagram
• Youtube