Groove Podcast: Linda May Han Oh on Bass as Foundation, Frontier, and Force for Imagination

Linda May Han Oh’s story is as global as it is musical. Born in Malaysia, raised in Australia and now a Grammy-winning bassist, composer and educator in New York/Boston, she has become one of the most distinctive and respected voices on the instrument today.

Her journey began at the piano before the bass called her in, and that foundation of harmony and melody continues to shape her approach whether she’s anchoring the bands of Pat Metheny, Vijay Iyer, Kenny Barron, or Terri Lyne Carrington, leading her own acclaimed projects, or teaching the next generation as an Associate Professor at Berklee.

In our conversation, Linda reflects on the intersections of culture, geography, and sound in her development, how classical training and jazz improvisation have always been in dialogue within her playing, and the delicate balance she strikes between performer, composer, and teacher.

She shares stories about writing for chamber ensembles, percussion trios, and film projects, about stepping into Pixar’s Soul both musically and visually (the bassist “Miho” was modeled on her), and about why she still approaches each project with a spirit of curiosity rather than mastery.

What makes Linda so compelling isn’t just her virtuosity, it’s the clarity with which she connects her instrument to broader ideas of imagination, resilience, and storytelling.

And just as she pushes boundaries in conversation, she continues to do so in her music, with her latest project Strange Heavens — a chordless trio with trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and drummer Tyshawn Sorey. The album wrestles with why we cling to familiar struggles even when they no longer serve us, and listeners can expect both intimacy and daring: music that is at once questioning and grounding, reflective and boldly unmoored.

If you’ve ever wondered how the bass can be both foundation and frontier, this episode (and this artist) make a powerful case. Enjoy the conversation…