Reader Spotlight: Randy Landau

Meet Randy Landau, a long-time bassist with a seriously impressive resume.

Randy is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight (you could be next). Here’s his story…

Bio:

I began playing bass at 12 years old and never stopped. I started playing Jr and Sr. High School dances, rock bands, top 40 bands, Disco and Funk bands, and I’ve been a freelancer in New York since 1979, playing numerous recording dates, jingles, TV and film soundtracks, concerts, night clubs, Broadway shows, and occasional tours. Primarily, I’ve been multi-TONY winner Jason Robert Brown’s bassist for 30 years, and since 2019, I’ve been the NYC local and touring contrabassist for The Who.

Location:

Harrington Park, NJ USA

Years experience:

I’ve played bass guitar for 58 years and contrabass for 50 years.

Why I play the bass:

I tried guitar for a few months and just never connected with it, but when I picked up a bass guitar (a Kent), I fell in love with the sound.

Gear:

• I love my Fenders (mid-60s Precision and Jazz and a ‘73 Fretless Precision rebuilt and modified by Starz Guitarz and Roger Sadowsky.)
• Sadowsky’s (3 NYC’s, a Metro, and a Satin)
• Fodera Imperial Elite 6-string fretless
• Guild Starfire II
• My uprights are a German Flatback from around 1920, an early 70’s Hofner, and an Alberto Mattos Brazilian 5-string.
• A Maxwell (carbon fiber) and a Le Mer (wood) French bows.
• Gage Realist pickups with a Sadowsky.
• My amps have been Edens or DNA for the past 30 years.
• I also use a Norton pre-amp for recording, especially with the Fenders.

My Influences:

James Jamerson, Carol Kaye, Joe Osborne, Jack Cassidy, Rod Armstrong, Phil Lesh, Carl Radle, Ron Carter, Charlie Haden, Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Louis Johnson, Larry Graham, Doug Rauch, Duck Dunn, Homer Mensch, Edgar Meyer, Erin O’Brien….

The list goes on and on. There are so many great players, and almost everyone brings something unique and special.

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

Love of music, the low notes, versatility, and avoiding the politics of the musician business as much as I possibly can.

I don’t know if this is a superpower or claim to fame, but from the moment I began playing, I wanted to be a bass player, and I’ve been blessed and fortunate to be just that in this life.