In Memoriam: Remembering the Bassists We Lost in 2017
It’s the end of the year and once again time to reflect on 2017. The world lost some incredible members of the bass community this year from prog-rock legends to luthiers to bass amp innovators. As always, they may be gone but their memories will live on through their work. Join us as we remember the lives and legacies of...
Warwick Introduces Red Series Strings for 8-String Basses
After releasing the RockBass Corvette Basic 8-String bass earlier this year, Warwick is now offering a set of strings for 8-string basses in their Red series. The Warwick Red 8-String set includes four strings plus four-octave strings suitable for all long scale eight-string basses. “The strings of the Warwick Red 8-String set are Roundwound, medium gauge (.017″, .040″, .025″, .060″,...
Fernando Molinari Trio: Hidden
Fernando Molinari has just released a new single with his trio featuring guitarist Davi Filho and Bruno Valverde. “Hidden” showcases the musicians locking in as the song melds between fusion and prog-rock. Molinari gets a killer tone to match his rock solid playing and tasty fills.
Omar Vazquez Castro & Simon Sammut: Mar
Bassists Omar Vazquez Castro and Simon Sammut teamed up for a bass duo composition called “Mar”, which translates to “sea.” “Omar composed the track and plays bass chords and harmonics. I play the fretless and upright bass,” Sammut explains. The track reflects the feeling of the sea with an ambient atmosphere, thanks to the harmonics and tones each player pulls...
Bassists Alliance Teams Up For “Crush”
If you’ve felt the ground rumbling late, it’s probably because bassists from all over the world have teamed up for the Bassists Alliance. The project, which features thirteen bassists and one drummer, has released their debut album, Crush. Formed by Alberto Rigoni and Six Feet Under bassist Jeff Hughell, the group’s new album is as varied in style as it...
Sleep Expands 2018 Tour Dates
Doom metal legends Sleep expanded their 2018 tour dates with a new handful of concerts in January. The trio, which is anchored by the mighty Al Cisneros, will be visiting Utah, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas in addition to their previously announced spring shows. In other news, the band spent part of this past year working on a new album with...
John Ferrara and Seth Moutal: Mouth Say Tongue
Bassist John Ferrara and percussionist Seth Moutal have released their second composition, and it’s mesmerizing. “This one is an original composition with me tapping polyrhythms and doing auxiliary percussion with my feet, and Seth playing a hand drum and aux percussion with his feet,” Ferrara shares. While that sounds complicated, it’s a natural and great feeling groove. “Mouth Say Tongue”...
Bass of the Week: Ray Ross Bass No. 27
Luthier Aaron “Ray” Ross has been cooking up a new style of bridge this year, and he’s created an amazing bass to showcase it. His 27th bass features the new saddle-less “universal bridge.” “Coming up with something new is a violent, painful way to create, this took 4 months of agony and hand work,” Ross writes. “I was a little...
Oz Noy, Will Lee, and Stefano Volpe: Wisps
Will Lee is rounding out 2017 with a funky little video for the song “Wisps”. Written by drummer Stefano Volpe, it also features Lee’s jamming buddy Oz Noy on guitar. The bassist kicks off the video with his signature brand of humor before laying down a nicely syncopated groove. Volpe shared his gratitude on Facebook by writing, “Mr. Will Lee...
Jayme Lewis: This Christmas
Jayme Lewis knows how to celebrate the holidays with some killer cover songs. After tackling “Thriller” for Halloween, the bassist is back with his band and a funky rendition of Donny Hathaway’s classic “This Christmas.” “Merry Christmas! 2017 was a stellar year here at TheBassist.net and I hope it was full of joy and blessings for you and yours!” Lewis...
In Memoriam: Lenny Stallworth
David “Lenny” Stallworth, who anchored Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor and toured with Maceo Parker, has passed away. Raised in Moss Point, Mississippi, Stallworth started playing bass at 11 years old and one year later joined his first band: The Super Soul Movement. At eighteen he joined the show band Poo Nanny and toured the Chitlin’ Circuit where he got the...
Royal Blood Announce U.S. Headlining Tour
Bass and drum duo Royal Blood have announced they’ll be coming to the U.S. for a headlining tour in 2018. Fronted by bassist/vocalist Mike Kerr, the band will be hitting the road in support of their latest album, How Did We Get This Dark? The tour kicks off in Brooklyn, New York before heading to Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, Florida,...