Nenad Vasilic: For Luis
Nenad Vasilic doesn’t need a whole band to fill out a song. He uses his upright as a bass and as drums in his latest video, “For Luis.” The bassist starts the groove with a syncopated rhythm tapped out on the body of his bass before digging into the bass line and melody. “This piece is inspired by ‘Ne kuni...
Ida Nielsen and Jan-Olof Strandberg Team Up for Funk Project
Jan-Olof Strandberg has a great tradition of collaborating with fellow bassists, including Paul Jackson, Dominque DiPiazza, Michael Manring, and more. Now he’s teaming up with funk powerhouse Ida Nielsen for a new project. “The group will be in the studio to record new material and performing a few live shows in Finland between March 7th and 12th!” Strandberg writes. “The...
Jens Ritter Introduces Two New Bass Models
German bass building artist Jens Ritter has revealed two new bass models for 2017, which will debut at the Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California. The Princess Isabella Bass and Cora Concept are riffs on previous instruments with a fresh take that have been introduced as part of the Royal Family due to their uniqueness. The Princess Isabella Bass is...
In Memoriam: Jim Mouradian
Bassist and luthier Jim Mouradian has passed away after a massive heart attack following a performance with Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters in Connecticut. Mouradian grew up in a family of musicians, picking up the bass in junior high school. His family owned a rug business, which he worked at around college. He created a rug with his favorite band...
Bass of the Week: Serek Basses Midwestern
Jake Serek of Serek Basses has a unique way of blending old school and new school to create a fresh looking bass that remains rooted in the instrument’s history. This week we’re checking out the Midwestern, which blends aspects of Fender and Gibson basses. “The Midwestern is a short-scale powerhouse that is compact in size, but does not lack in...
Fernando Molinari: Tropical Rain
Fernando Molinari has released another video for a track from his album, , and it’s heavy. “Tropical Rain” blends jazz and metal elements for a song that teeters between introspective and in-your-face.
Bill Laswell Collaborates with Gnawa Musicians For “TAGNAWWIT”
Bill Laswell has always been about mixing different cultures in his music, and his latest release is a stellar example of why it works so well. The bassist/producer teamed up with Maâlem Mokhtar Gania to create TAGNAWWIT – Holy Black Gnawa Trance, an album that fuses Gnawa from Africa with Western music. “GNAWA (or Gnaoua) MUSIC is a rich North...
Genzler Amplification Expands Magellan Amp and Bass Array Cabinet Lines
Genzler is gearing up for the 2017 Winter NAMM show by unveiling the expansion of their Magellan bass amp line and Bass Array cabinet series. The Magellan 350 and Bass Array BA10-2 will each debut at NAMM as separate pieces as well as a combo unit. The Magellan 350 pushes out 350 watts while weighing a mere 3.5 pounds. The...
Marek Bero: Beef It
Bassist Marek Bero sent us this heavy slap groove reminiscent of an early nineties alternative rock, and the back story is one that many of us can relate. “I’ve started playing bass as a teenager, and nobody around me was taking me seriously,” he wrote. “At the beginning, my attitude was ‘let’s have some fun’ but later on I began...
Peter Hook Announces U.S. Book Signing Tour
Former Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook will be heading to the U.S. for a book tour at the beginning of February. The intimate outing is in support of his new book Substance – Inside New Order, which documents the formation and story of the influential band, known for their smash hit “Blue Monday.” Hook’s tour will include...
Ibanez Revamps BTB Basses For 2017
Ibanez’s BTB Standard series is getting a facelift for 2017 with several new features across the line. The BTB845, BTB846, BTB745, and BTB746 all have a new refined body arch, a zero fret, and come standard with D’Addario NYXL strings. Each of the basses are still constructed with a neck-through design featuring a five-piece maple/rosewood neck and an Ash body....
Carol Kaye Autobiography Now Available
Session bass legend Carol Kaye has plenty of stories to tell from her many years in the business, and now you can read them in her new autobiography. Studio Musician: Carol Kaye, 60s #1 Bassist, Guitarist is now available directly through her website. The 503-page book documents Kaye’s life and career, which started on guitar in nightclubs around Los Angeles....