Rufus Reid Releases “Hues of a Different Blue”
Jazz bassist Rufus Reid has teamed up once again with pianist Steve Allee and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca for Hues of a Different Blue, a 14-track album that also features the talents of saxophonists JD Allen and Bobby Watson, trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, and Brazilian guitarist Toninho Horta. The songs are a nice combination of Reid’s originals with standards mixed in,...
VOX Announces AC1 RhythmVOX Mini Bass Amp
The amp makers at Vox have translated their mini guitar amp to the bass world with the introduction of the AC1 RhythmVOX Bass, a portable practice combo that weighs in at only 19.4 ounces. Similar to its predecessor, the new model includes 66 built-in rhythm/song patterns including 8-beat, blues, funk, reggae, irregular patterns, and more. The tempo and level for...
Custom Shop: JC Basses
Meet Jared Carpenter, the sole proprietor of California-based custom shop JC Basses. We first discovered his work after watching Seth Horan, whose custom bass features fanned frets and an eye-catching red finish. After picking up bass, Carpenter quickly realized he couldn’t get what he wanted from a production instrument and boldly decided to make his own, even without much woodworking...
Nikki Sixx Releases “This Is Gonna Hurt,” with Book Signing Tour
Motley Crue/Sixx A.M. bassist Nikki Sixx has just released his second book, entitled This Is Gonna Hurt: Music, Photography and Life Through the Distorted Lens of Nikki Sixx. The 224-page book is a mixture of his photography and a journal that dives into his inner thoughts. “It’s definitely not an autobiography,” he told Billboard.com. “I don’t write with an editor...
Marcus Miller Featured on Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band’s “That’s How We Roll”
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band has released their fifth album, That’s How We Roll, on Telarc International. The collection has the 18-piece band showcasing 9 new original tracks from band leader Goodwin, as well as his arrangement of the classic Gershwin tune, “Rhapsody in Blue.” Bassist Rick Shaw holds down the low end throughout the album with the exception of...
Warwick Introduces BC Combo Series
Warwick has introduced the BC Combo series, a 5-model line ranging in strength from 20 to 300 watts. The company explains the new combos are good for when you need to be heard, but not “bend people’s eardrums.” The pinnacle of the series is the BC300, a 300-watt amp combined with a 15” driver and 4” HF horn. The combo...
Dark Matter Audio Unveils DMA1 Smart Audio Hub
Dark Matter Audio has unveiled details of their premier product, the DMA1. The DMA1 is an app-enabled smart device tailored for musicians, featuring a color touchscreen, internet capability and tons of connectivity. It’s capable of effects processing, multi-track recording, playing MP3 files and more. Similar to a smartphone, users will be able to wirelessly download apps, including drum machines, loops,...
Jazz For Japan Benefit Album Features Top Name Bassists
A new album, entitled Jazz for Japan, has been released on iTunes, with proceeds going to the International Red Cross in Japan in an effort to benefit Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims. The project, which was recorded in merely two days last week, features a who’s who of the jazz community, especially jazz bassists. Low-end contributors include Marcus Miller, Christian...
Warwick Announces Steve Bailey Signature Bass
Fretless bassist Steve Bailey has joined up with Warwick as an endorsing artist, and the company has just unveiled a new Steve Bailey Signature Bass. The model is a 6-string fretless based on their Streamer, though the design has been modified for better access to the upper register of the neck. The Steve Bailey Signature bass features bolt-on construction and...
Earth, Wind and Fire Announce 40th Anniversary World Tour Dates
Earth, Wind and Fire is celebrating their 40th anniversary with an extensive world tour. Originally formed in 1971, the group has released 23 albums, selling over 90 million copies worldwide. The band’s current lineup features three of the founding members including bassist Verdine White, whose on-stage persona and bass lines inspired an entire generation of bassists. With a few international...
Evan Brewer Joins The Faceless
Technical death metal band The Faceless has added bassist Evan Brewer to their ranks. The position had been vacant since founding member Brandon Griffin left the group last year. They made it official through their social media pages. “The sickest bass player in the game, Evan Brewer (Animosity/Reflux) has officially joined The Faceless,” the band wrote. “See his videos on...
An Interview with Victor Wooten
Fifteen years ago, Victor Wooten released a solo electric bass album that inspired countless bassists to push themselves to new limits. Today, you’d be hard pressed to find a “best of” or “reader’s choice” list of top bassists without him. Victor is a busy bassist, teacher, and more recently, record label owner. We caught up with him during one of...