In Memoriam: T.M. Stevens
Another bass great has left us. T.M. Stevens has died after a long illness. He was 72 years old.
Born in New York City, Stevens was studying biology in school, but at the suggestion of his professor decided to drop out to focus on music. He got his musical “schooling” by playing after hours clubs around the city. As he became established on the scene he became a session musician.
Stevens was a unique player that was comfortable and excelled in a wide range of genres. As such, he played with an incredible list of musicians. In 1978, he participated in a recording session with Miles Davis. He played with James Brown on the album Gravity, which includes the song “Living in America.” He played on Steve Vai’s Sex & Religion and on Get Close by the Pretenders. He had stints with people from Joe Cocker to Tina Turner to Billy Joel.
His range is mind-boggling, but he stayed humble.
“I’ve had a strange career,” Stevens told Bass Guitar Magazine. “I’ve played with everybody from Tina Turner to Al Di Meola, but I don’t think it’s because I’m a great bass player. I think you can make these things happen if you have the right attitude.”
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of T.M. Stevens.
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
This is a huge loss for all who knew him. Very sad day indeed. RIP TM…