Sting’s Son Joins The Police Tour
How lucky can a guy get? Sting’s son Joe Sumner, and his band “Fiction Plane” have joined The Police’s 2007 tour. The announcement follows the release of Fiction Plane’s second CD, Left Side of the Brain. Like his father, Joe is the bassist and lead vocalist for the trio. Check out Fiction Plane in a recent performance on Jimmy Kimmel...
Brian Bromberg: Chameleon, Live
Brian Bromberg, in support of his recent release Downright Upright, has added new dates to his tour. Get a preview of the band live in this awesome arrangement of Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon”:
String Bass / Electric Bass Vacancy: U.S. Army Field Band
The United States Army Field Band is holding auditions through August 22, 2007 for a string/electric bassist. To apply, submit a recent resume and high-quality recording, CD preferred, by August 22, 2007. The recording should contain solos or excerpts of various styles that demonstrate the depth and breadth of your playing ability, with an emphasis on classical music. Applicants selected...
Trio of Doom Reissue
The legendary recording of the “Trio of Doom”, featuring Jaco Pastorius, John McLaughlin and Tony Williams is being re-released on June 26th, by Columbia/Legacy. The release features the group’s live performance on March 3rd, 1979, and includes five tracks recorded the following week at Columbia Studios in New York. Three of the five studio recordings were available on the original...
John Paul Jones at Bonnaroo Super Jam
The Super Jam is one of Bonnaroo’s annual highlights. This year, the Super Jam featured Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, slide guitarist/vocalist Ben Harper, and the Roots’ drummer, Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson. We’ll let the video speak for itself:
Ron Carter Interview
Ethan Iverson has posted a terrific interview with bass legend Ron Carter. Carter has an an upcoming Carnegie Hall concert, in celebration of his 70th birthday.
Basslines for June 1st
Editor’s note: we’re tinkering with an old format we used to run, covering lots of bass news and articles from around the web… A benefit concert for Iron Butterfly bass player Lee Dorman will be held Sunday June 24th in Anaheim, California, to raise money for a heart transplant for Dorman. Bassist Mike Levine of Triumph weighs in on the...
New Hampshire Bass Fest to feature Michael Manring
Michael Manring joins an all-star cast of bassists, including Rufus Reid, Steve Bailey, Seth Horan and Bruce Gertz at the New Hampshire Bass Fest. The four day festival starts on June 20th and features lectures, concerts and master classes. Several luthiers, vendors, and manufacturers will be exhibiting. Registration is $400. Check out the event’s web site for details.
Jack Bruce says Cream may rise again
Jack Bruce, bassist for the 60’s power rock trio Cream, along with guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker, says a reunion may be in the works. Bruce and Baker have been feuding for years and apparently are ready to put their differences aside in order to regroup later this year. This won’t be the first reunion for the trio....
Fender Announces Victor Bailey 5-String Acoustic Bass Guitar
Fender has just announced the release of Victor Bailey’s popular signature acoustic bass in a five-string version. Originally introduced in 2005, the Artist Design Series Victor Bailey Acoustic Bass guitar features an arched back, figured dao body, abalone rosette, tortoise shell binding, a bound 34″-scale neck matching Victor’s signature Fender electric bass, gold Hipshot tuners and Fishman electronics. The MSRP...
David Pastorius & Local 518 Release Debut Album
David Pastorius (nephew of Jaco Pastorius) has just released a new album on P-Vine Records titled David Pastorius and Local 518. Local 518 has released a few live performance videos featuring tracks from the album:
Around Jaco
A new tribute to the late, great Jaco Pastorius has been released, nearly twenty years after his untimely death. Bassist Frederic Monino and his unusual trio consisting of drums, electric bass and accordion – along with some added guests – offers their rendition of many of Jaco’s compositions and recordings. More… All About Jazz’s review. Track listing: Continuum; Round Trip/Broadway...