Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 846

Funk master Bootsy Collins has just announced that he will be opening the “Funk University,” and that the first semester of classes will begin on July 1, 2010. Professor Bootsy will lead a group of outstanding musicians in teaching funk to intermediate and advanced players in an online setting. The Funk University classes will be held over the web via...

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke has announced the name of his new supergroup, which includes Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and tour dates for the band. The group, Atoms for Peace, also includes Joey Waronker of R.E.M., Mauro Refosco of Forro in the Dark, and Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich. They have announced a 9-date tour, beginning in New York and...

DR Strings has announced a new line of strings called the DDT. Designed specifically for drop tuning, the strings feature specific technologies and heavier gauges to help maintain tuning consistency, even way down low. They also attempt to reduce that floppy string feeling and fret buzz. The Bass DDT’s are available in the following sets: Medium DDT-45 (45, 65, 85,...

The Playboy Jazz Festival promises to be another bass player’s favorite, featuring performances and appearances by Esperanza Spalding, Marcus Miller, Dwayne Burno, John Clayton’s Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, Chick Corea’s freedom band with Christian McBride, and many more. Hosted by comedian Bill Cosby, the festival will take place June 12-13 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. “It’s a party with...

Ever wanted to play along side Billy Corgan in the Smashing Pumpkins? Well your big chance has arrived! Corgan has announced that the band will be having open auditions for a new bassist, as well as a new keyboardist. Smashing Pumpkins bassist Ginger Pooley just had a baby and wants to raise her child without being on the road. She...

Motema Music just released Rufus Reid’s new album, Out Front. The album features Reid in a piano trio setting, with pianist Steve Allee and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca. “Out Front suggests several connotations,” Rufus explains. “In addition to being ‘out front’ as the leader, my playing in this setting is somewhat atypical in that this music stretches far beyond the...

Bassline Publishing has recently released the Mark King Bass Book, which contains transcriptions of the Level 42 frontman’s bass lines, as well as live bass solos with detailed performance notes. The 139-page book, which was written by Stuart Clayton, also includes a biography, extensive bassography, and an exclusive interview. Included Transcriptions: Sandstorm Theme To Margaret Mr. Pink 88 43 Dune...

Rees Electric Guitars has introduced a new addition to their F-Light Lightweight bass series called the Big-F-Light. Weighing in at 7.5 pounds, this bass differs from the company’s original F-Light in that it features a full size body. They reduce the weight by keeping the center of the bass thick while shaving down the sides and adding extra comfort carvings...

Phish bassist Mike Gordon has released a new double disc album with his own band. The album, which is available at livePhish.com, is a live recording from Gordon’s performance at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo, NY on October 3, 2009. This is the second release from Gordon’s five-piece band, which includes Scott Murawski on guitar, Craig Myers on percussion, Tom...

Warwick is celebrating its new affiliation with Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo by introducing the Robert Trujillo Streamer Signature Bass. The bass has a shiny coat, with a quicksilver or turquoise blue chrometone finish. The bass, which was designed for Trujillo over the course of two years, is based on Warwick’s Streamer model. Features include an increased mass of the neck,...

Black Sabbath/Heaven and Hell bassist Geezer Butler has relaunched his web site with a brand new design. To help celebrate the occasion, he is giving away a rare track called “Beach Skeleton,” which was only ever released as a bonus track on the Japanese version of his 1997 solo album Black Science. The track was released under the “Geezer” banner,...

Jack Bruce will be pairing up with a new direct to fan platform called Pledge Music to give fans a chance to be part of the release of a new live album and win lots of goodies. The album is an awesome live performance of his band The Cuicoland Express at the Melkweg (Milkway) in Amsterdam. The project works by...