Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 222

Brian Bromberg has released a new live video from the 2021 Berks Jazz Fest to celebrate the music of the late Nick Colionne. The jazz guitarist, who passed away on New Year’s Day, was his longtime friend and sat in with Bromberg for the concert.

John Mayer is using his downtime from Dead & Company’s schedule to launch his own tour to support his last solo album, “Sob Rock”. Returning to Mayer’s touring band is his longtime bassist and session legend, Pino Palladino.

The Temptations are one of the greatest vocal groups of all time. After six decades in the business, they’re taking a victory lap with their newest album, aptly entitled “60”. They’ve recruited a stellar cast of bassists too.

Aron Bach built basses under the Tuli name when he lived in Finland. Now he’s settled in the US and has restarted his instrument building. This week, we’re checking out his 4-String Double Cut with a Transparent Faded Blue finish.

The mighty Jethro Tull have returned with their first studio album in nearly 20 years. The Zealot Gene has been in the works since 2017 when the band’s hiatus came to an end. It also marks David Goodier’s first studio album with the group.

It’s been forty years since Fender launched the Squier brand and they’re marking the occasion with a line of 40th Anniversary instruments. There are four basses, including versions of the Jazz Bass and Precision Bass in Gold and Vintage editions.

Boris Kozlov has released a new solo album that is his first for the Posi-Tone label. “First Things First” features an incredible cast of musicians including Art Hirahara, Donny McCaslin, Behn Gillece, and Rudy Royston.

Although they’ve been musical compatriots since the late ’70s, John Zorn and Bill Laswell have teamed up for their first recorded duo project. The Cleansing features the artists on just also saxophone and bass.

Fodera is kicking off 2022 with the mantra “new year, new model.” They’ve just unveiled a new edition of the Emperor 4 Standard that features a 34-inch scale and 24 frets.

Former Sonic Youth bassist Kim Gordon has unveiled an international solo tour in support of her 2020 album, “No Home Record”. She initially announced a tour for the record in March of that year, which was canceled due to the pandemic.

I love seeing collaboration between bassists, especially with players of this caliber. Manou Gallo, aka the Queen of Afro Groove, recruited jazz icon Christian McBride to lay some foundation for her latest song, “Emotion.”

Drummer Jimmy Branly has returned with a new album called “The Meeting”, which features his trio with guitarist Will Brahm and bassist Sezin Ahmet Türkmenoglu.