Gary Willis: “Self Defense” Solo
We came across this great video of bassist Gary Willis playing an incredible bass solo: Willis founded the jazz-fusion group Tribal Tech with Scott Henderson in 1984. He has also worked with other notable musicians including Wayne Shorter, Dennis Chambers, and Allan Holdsworth.
Jade Visions: The Life and Music of Scott LaFaro
Jazz bassist Scott LaFaro is being honored with the first biography on his brief but influential life, Jade Visions: The Life and Music of Scott LaFaro. The biography has been written by LaFaro’s sister Helene LaFaro-Fernandez and includes contributions by notable jazz writers highlighting LaFaro’s contributions to the bass community. LaFaro made his mark on the scene with the Bill...
New Release from Ben Allison: Think Free
Bassist and composer Ben Allison will be releasing his ninth album, Think Free, on October 13th 2009, with Palmetto Records. Think Free features Allison on bass with Steve Cardenas on guitar, Shane Endsley on trumpet, Rudy Royston on drums and Jenny Scheinman on violin. The album consists of eight originals by Allison, and continues his “train of thought” from previous...
Gear Watch: CruzTOOLS GrooveTech
CruzTOOLS has introduced the GrooveTech, a new tool in their line of musician tools for bass and guitar. GrooveTech’s hex key set is matched to virtually all bass makes. The complete feature list for the GrooveTech includes: 6-in-1 screwdriver which includes two Phillips tips (#1 and #2), two slotted tips (1/4” and 3mm tip for vintage-style bridge saddles), and two...
Scott Ford Benefit Show
Bassist Scott Ford (Twilight Singers, the Gutter Twins, Camp Freddy), has been suffering from an advanced bone loss disease making him susceptible to severe blood infections. To help with the rising medical bills guitarist and former The Cult member Billy Morrison decided to host a benefit show. The Scott Ford Benefit Show is today, at The Roxy in Los Angeles....
Robert Trujillo’s HardTimes interview
Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo recently shared his personal views on the environment and taking care of yourself, in a 12 minute interview with HardTimes.ca. The interview took place while Metallica was in Montreal, and also covers topics from Metallica’s band dynamics, veganism, surfing and pre-show rituals. Metallica donated $21,462 to Sun Youth in Montreal from the proceeds from their two...
The Obamas to chair Thelonious Monk International Bass Competition
President Barack Obama and First-Lady Michelle Obama will be serving as honorary chairs at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition and Gala Concert this October. The Gala co-chairs include Madeleine Albright, Herb and Lani Alpert, Quincy Jones, Debra Lee, Bill and Carolyn Powers, and Joseph E. Robert Jr. The Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition features a different instrument and...
Charlie Haden and Rocco Prestia to receive Bass Player’s lifetime achievement awards
Bass Player Magazine is giving out two lifetime achievement awards at their Bass Player Live conference next month. Jazz bassist Charlie Haden and funk bassist Rocco Prestia are receiving the award. The ceremony takes place in Los Angeles on October 24th and 25th, at S.I.R. Studios and the Key Club. There will be a screening of “Rambling Boy,” a new...
Thinking in Minor: Alterations
In the previous lesson I talked about using melodic minor arpeggios to change the sound of an underlying chord structure. This lesson will take that concept a step further and focus on identifying functioning and static dominant seventh chords and how to apply the melodic minor scale in various ways to control multiple degrees of tension. This will also lend...
Ida Funkhouser: Poppy fx solo
Everyone loves funk, and bassist Ida Funkhouser aka Ida Kristine Nielsen brings it home with her slap bass style and cool vocals. Check out this killer solo by Funkhouser: Funkhouser currently plays in Zap Mama and is working on her own music which is “a mix of old school funk, hiphop and ear catching soul. With a lot of Bass...
The Xcerts’ Jordan Smith fractures his wrist as tour begins
A fractured wrist is a nightmare scenario for any bassist. But when it happens right as a tour kicks off with your musical heroes, it is even worse. Bassist Jordan Smith
Chas and Dave Split
Well known London legends Chas and Dave are going their separate ways. The decision was made by bassist Dave Peacock, due to the tragic death of his wife Sue after battling lung cancer. She passed away this July. The duo had topped the charts in the eighties with hits like “Rabbit,” “Ain’t No Pleasing You” and “Snooker Loopy” and have...