John Goldsby Puts the Bass in the Spotlight with WDR Big Band on Big Band Bass
Late last year, John Goldsby wrapped up a 30-year run as a member of the WDR Big Band with a final sold-out performance in Cologne, Germany. The concert, entitled “Bassic Goldsby,” didn’t quite mark the end of the bassist’s relationship with the group.
Together, they’ve just released an album called Big Band Bass that features eight of his original compositions arranged by long-time collaborators Bob Mintzer, Michael Abene, Dave Horler, and Vince Mendoza.
“Working with the WDR Big Band for 30 years has been a joy—and showcasing my original music on this album is a dream come true,” says Goldsby. “With Bob [Mintzer] arranging and playing sax, and contributions from Vince Mendoza and other longtime friends, it felt like a family project.”
The album is a masterclass in the art of walking, which makes total sense. Aside from his tenure with one of the world’s most celebrated big bands, Goldsby literally wrote the book on jazz bass.
“From swinging hard bop and lyrical ballads to Brazilian grooves and brassy dance-party climaxes, Big Band Bass pushes the tradition forward while staying rooted in decades of shared musical history,” a press release states. “At the core of this recording lies John Goldsby’s unmistakable tone and lyrical sensibility—qualities seldom heard from a big band bassist, and rarer still as the defining voice of an entire album.”
Check out Goldsby and the WDR Big Band with Mintzer on his song “The Baron’s Dilemma”:
Big Band Bass is streaming now on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more.
Big Band Bass Track List:
- Sonatinita
- In the Hills
- Blue Balloon
- Kléopatre’s Secret
- You Can Call Him Maestro
- Blue Dahlia
- The Baron’s Dilemma
- Sergio
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.
