Archive for April 2020 - Page 5

During this year’s NAMM Show, I had a great chat with Gabriel Severn and his dad. His dad said that at a very early age, Gabriel was super interested in the music of Jaco Pastorius. So it wasn’t a surprise when his mom sent me this video of Gabriel performing “Donna Lee.”

Fender will be phasing out ash bodies in their production models due to environmental concerns. Ash trees have been declining at an alarming rate due to an insect called the Emerald Ash Borer, which destroys the trees, as well as flooding due to climate change.

Steve Bailey and Victor Wooten have organized an amazing bass hang, which is happening Thursday, April 16th. The free webinar is open to the public and will feature a conversation with Megadeth’s Dave Ellefson, Tool’s Justin Chancellor, and Billy Sheehan.

Adam Ben Ezra is offering a bit of cheer in this new video, with his take on Bobby McFerrin’s tune, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” Or as Adam said, “Don’t worry, be healthy.”

Though the jam band juggernaut Phish announced their fifteenth album, “Sigma Oasis,” on April 1st, it was not one of the band’s notorious pranks. The new record is their first since 2016’s “Big Boat.”

MOD Devices has unveiled its latest creation, called the MOD Dwarf. The unit is a powerful and compact effect processor with an open platform for “platform for effects, amp simulations, cabinets, virtual instruments, synthesizers, and MIDI utilities.”

Berklee shared this video yesterday, and it is so smoooooth. Check out Dee Dee Bridgewater Billie Holiday’s “Fine and Mellow” with students studying in the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice - including Devon Gates on bass.

Movie Club has released their third EP, entitled “Man O’ War,” which proves to be their grittiest and heaviest yet. The duo of Vince Cuneo and Jessamyn Violet tapped former David Bowie and Tedeschi Trucks Band bassist Tim Lefebvre for the project.

This week we’re checking out the AVJM5 by AV Basses. Built by luthier Aleš Vychodil, this particular build features a swamp ash body topped with a gorgeous poplar burl top with a matching headstock.

My friend Steve Lawson is doing some very cool things right now with video lessons he’s posting to Instagram. The series looks at the 6 string bass and what it has to offer, and this track is a demo showcasing some beautiful music.

Nik West has released a new album called “Moody,” which shows off different sides of her musical personality. The album lays heavy on the funk with moments of tenderness and in-your-face rockers. It also features some funk royalty, including Larry Graham.

In a post on their social media pages, The Band Camino has announced the departure of bassist Graham Rowell. Rowell founded The Band Camino with frontmen Jeffrey Jordan and Spencer Stewart in Memphis in 2015.