New Release: Michael Janisch’s “Purpose Built”
Jazz bassist Michael Janisch has just released his new album, Purpose Built on Whirlwind Recordings. This is his first album as a bandleader and features Aaron Goldberg (piano), Jim Hart (vibraphone), Jason Palmer (trumpet), Paul Booth (Tenor Saxophone), Mike Moreno (guitar), Patrick Cornelius (alto saxophone), Phil Robson (guitar), Walter Smith III (tenor saxophone), and Johnathan Blake (drums). Preview and download...
James Jamerson’s widow sues La Bella Strings
According to the Detroit Free Press, the widow of Motown’s master bassist James Jamerson is suing La Bella Strings for using his name and image in its marketing. The suit is seeking at least $25,000. Annie Jamerson, 68, is filing the suit against La Bella, which “touts James Jamerson in the packaging and ads for a set of bass strings.”...
Coachella Festival line up announced
The massive line up for the three day Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has been announced, boasting over 120 performing artists. The headlining artists for each night are scheduled to be Jay-Z, Muse, and Gorillaz. Bass players will be happy to hear from the likes of Les Claypool, Them Crooked Vultures, Sly and the Family Stone, and many more....
Gear Watch: Korg Wi-Tune Wireless Tuner
Korg has released a new addition to their expansive selection of tuners called the Wi-Tune Chromatic Tuner. Utilizing the Korg’s new “Wireless Tuning System,” it allows players freedom from swapping cables and needing to patch in and out of a tuner during performance. The tuner is made up of two pieces: a transmitter module that attaches to the instrument, and...
Gear Watch: Peavey introduces bass guitars to its PXD series
Peavey has introduced two new basses guitars to their modern metal inspired PXD Series: the Tragic 4 and Void 4. Both the Tragic and Void are 4-string neck-through-body basses that feature an alder body, maple neck, and ebony fretboard. Both models also enjoy the incredible tonal control of Peavey VFL active pickups, which are the same proprietary electronics that Peavey...
Paul McCartney “could have been” in Them Crooked Vultures
According to an article in British newspaper The Daily Mail, former Fab Four member Paul McCartney was interested in being in the successful supergroup Them Crooked Vultures. The band of course now features bassist John Paul Jones. After the Grammy awards last year, Paul had dinner with drummer Dave Grohl and the conversation turned to Grohl’s new project. “We went...
Rob Wasserman to rejoin RatDog for special event
Rob Wasserman will rejoin former Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir and his band RatDog for an event called the RatDog Daze, which will be taking place in Negril, Jamaica. The event begins January 23. Current RatDog bassist Robin Sylvester cannot make the gig for unspecified medical reasons. The band gave a statement, saying “The entire Bob Weir & RatDog family...
John Patitucci with Mark O’Connor and Julian Lage live
Here is a cool video of John Patitucci’s latest project with violinist Mark O’Connor and guitarist Julian Lage. The trio debuted January 7th at the Blue Note in NYC.
Jack Bruce: Composing Himself; The Authorized Biography
Jack Bruce recounts tales of life on the road, drug addiction, management problems, and family tragedies in the upcoming book, Jack Bruce: Composing Himself. Penned by Henry Shapiro, the book takes a detailed look at the life of one of rock’s most influential bassists, beginning with his study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama as a child...
Gear Watch: VOX Pathfinder Bass 10
VOX Amplification has added a new product to it Pathfinder amplifier series. The new Pathfinder Bass 10 is a portable combo that boasts 10 watts of power with its two 5-inch VOX Bulldog speakers. Along with its treble and bass controls, the amp has a Bright switch, which adds an edgy boost to upper harmonics. The Pathfinder Bass 10 also...
Victor Wooten offering free library concerts in L.A. this week
The ever busy Victor Wooten will be launching his first ever library tour around Los Angeles, California this week (the tour started yesterday and runs through the 23rd). Wooten will be performing for library goers and talking about his own book, The Music Lesson. Admission to the events is free. RSVP at the Los Angeles Music Network’s web site. Appearance...
Gear Watch: Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner
Boss has announced the newest version of their stompbox tuner, the TU-3 Chromatic Tuner. The pedal is an update from their TU-2 and has all the same features and then some. Built in a tough stompbox chassis, this pedal is tough. A new high-brightness meter mode allows for better visibility under bright sunlight, and it also has a 21-segment meter...