Jack Bruce: “Cream is over”
In an interview with BBC 6Music, Jack Bruce announced that another Cream reunion is out of the question. “There’s a new story now – Cream is over,” he stated. Cream, who originally broke up in 1968, last reunited in 2005 for seven shows, split between London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York’s Madison Square Garden. Tensions rose again between Bruce...
Roger Waters Announces New Web Site and The Wall 2010 Tour
Legendary Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters has just launched his new web site and announced a 2010 tour schedule for live performances of The Wall. Beginning in September and ending in December, the 35-stop trek will stretch all across the U.S. and Canada, finishing up in Anaheim, California. Roger’s new site includes an explanation as to why he is doing...
Gear Watch: Ashdown Valve Series Tube Amps
Ashdown Engineering has released a new line of tube amplifiers. The new valve bass amps include the BTA 200, 300, and 400, the 550 Spyder head and touring combo, the 427 small block head, and the “Little Bastard” head. All of the new products are hand-made in the UK. BTA Line The BTA (Big Tube Head) combines one of Ashdown’s...
Atlanta Jazz Fest to Feature Free Performances by Marcus Miller, Esperanza Spalding and Stanley Clarke
The 33rd annual Atlanta Jazz Festival will feature many great jazz artists, including bass greats Marcus Miller, Esperanza Spalding and Stanley Clarke. The event takes place on over May 29-30 at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Best of all? It’s all free. Swing Streets to Swing Beats featuring Esperanza Spalding and Raydar Ellis performs on the 29th, at 7:00 PM....
Bryan Beller Band Northeast Tour in May
Bryan Beller has announced his first ever full-band tour of the Northeast. The trek, which is in support of the Mike Keneally Band, is called the “They’re Both the Same Band Tour”… and for good reason. Beller leads a set, and then Keneally leads a set, but the personnel stays the same. Keneally plays guitar, keys, and vocals, Beller holds...
Level 42 Announces International Tour; U.S. Dates Included
Level 42 bassist Mark King announced a summer 2010 tour for the band, which stretches the globe. Most exciting is the return to the U.S., which will be the group’s first visit in a little over two decades. King notes that the dates are confirmed early, so “there’s no excuses for you not to be there…” The band is celebrating...
Gear Watch: Luminlay Luminous Inlay Position Markers
Ever had trouble seeing your position markers on a dark stage? A Japanese company has created a solution called the Luminlay. Available in green or blue, the Luminlay is a highly luminous material that you inlay into the side of your neck where you want your markers. The material is then charged in seconds by an LED flashlight (also available...
Wailers Celebrate 40 Years of “Family Man” With Tour
The Wailers, who played with Bob Marley during his lifetime, are on the road in a trek that takes them across the U.S. The legendary reggae band is on tour in celebration of bassist Aston “Family Man” Barrett, who co-founded the band and has stayed with the group for 40 years. It was Barrett’s musical leadership that helped Marley and...
Slayer Announces Rescheduled Dates After Araya’s Surgery
In early January, we reported that Slayer frontman Tom Araya was scheduled to have back surgery, and that the band’s American and Canadian Carnage Tour had to be rescheduled. Araya had his procedure on May 20th, and the masters of metal have announced their make-up dates, which will occur after a European trek. In his first interview since going under...
Melissa Auf der Maur Releases “Out of Our Minds”
Ex-Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf der Maur has just released her new album/multimedia project, Out of Our Minds. The project consists of the music album, music video, film, and comic. You can order variations on the package at Melissa’s web site. “OUT OF OUR MINDS | OOOM began as a song,” Auf Der Maur writes on her web...
Three-Bass Supergroup Freebass Releases EP
Freebass, the three-bass supergroup hailing from Manchester, has released their debut EP entitled Two Worlds Collide. The band consists of Peter Hook (Joy Division/ New Order, Gary “Mani” Mounfield (The Stone Roses/Primal Fear), and Andy Rourke (The Smiths). The album also features guest vocals by Tim Burgess of the Charlatans, Pete Wylie of the Mighty Wah, and Howard Marks. The...
Bakithi Kumalo Joins Simon and Garfunkel Tour
South African bassist extraordinaire Bakithi Kumalo will be touring with folk duo Simon and Garfunkel in their North American ‘Old Friends’ tour. The tour focuses mostly in Canada, with about seven U.S. dates. Kumalo joined Paul Simon for his classic 1986 album Graceland, and has worked with him since. Kumalo has also worked with many pop and jazz musicians, including...