Reader Spotlight: Geoff Kluke

Geoff Kluke

Meet Geoff Kluke, a double and electric bass player, arranger, composer, lecturer, and teacher who has enjoyed 51 years (so far) in music.

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

Bio:

From playing bass in the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, (even performing an electric bass concerto many years ago.) to working with some of the world’s leading performers. Both Jazz and non Jazz, Double Bass, and/or Electric bass. Includes, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Phil Woods, The Glen Miller Orchestra Emily Remler, Richie Cole and literally 100’s of others, etc. Non-jazz performers include Cilla Black, The Platters (Motown arranger and producer the late Gil Askey, James Jamerson’s former boss.) and many other popular artists, Session work, Arranger and lecturer in Jazz Studies for 34 years at the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne Australia) until 2016.

Location:

Melbourne, Australia

Years experience:

Since 1969.

Why I play the bass:

Always loved American Jazz and started playing Motown, Soul, R’n’B, etc. then gravitated towards Jazz and more double bass playing.

Gear:

At one stage I had three electric basses and three double basses, and two amps. Now I only have one electric bass, a 4-string P/J model, Fernandez, D’Addario, Nickel Round Wounds, 100-80-60-40. One double bass strung with Dr. Thomastik Spirocore Weich bass strings. A little old Polytone Mini Brute amp used for both basses.

My Influences:

Ray Brown, Ron Carter, N.H.O.P., Buster Williams (whom I’ve had the good fortune to meet), Eddie Gomez, Scott Lafaro. Electric Bass includes James Jamerson, Bob Babbit, Jaco Pastorius, Jerry Jemmott, Duck Dunn, Willie Weeks, and many others.

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

I’m regarded as an excellent double and electric bass player, arranger, composer (many of my compositions have been recorded). Also a lecturer (teaching privately and in institutions, having taught so many students.)

More on the web:

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