Buzz
EarthQuaker Devices Releases Avalanche Run Pedal
EarthQuaker Devices has introduced the Avalanche Run, a stereo delay and reverb pedal built on their new high-powered DSP platform. The model is based on requests for the company to make a stereo and tap tempo version of their Dispatch Master. “While it is a delay and reverb just like the Dispatch Master, the style of delay and reverb is...
The Lightbulb Moment: Major? Minor? Why Bother?
Being a bass player is awesome. Not only do you get to hang in the back and groove, but you get to skate by on all of that “theory” stuff that guitar players have to deal with. You know… like chords and whatnot. We only have to play one note at a time! That’s like… way easier. I wouldn’t want...
Ian Pettersson: Kiss (Solo Bass Prince Tribute)
Over the years, Ian Pettersson has offered some great video suggestions to us. Now he’s shared one of his own: a solo bass tribute to Prince. Here’s Ian’s take on Prince’s hit, “Kiss”.
Gregory Porter Releases “Take Me to the Alley”
Jazz singer-songwriter Gregory Porter has released Take Me to the Alley, his followup to 2013’s Grammy-winning album Liquid Spirit. Just as on Liquid Spirit, the new album features the bass work of Aaron James, who also played on Porter’s 2010 record Water and 2012’s Be Good. Here’s a taste of the album, via Porter and his band in a one...
Sinasoid Introduces Signature Slate Coil Instrument Cable
Audio cable company Sinasoid has announced that their OEM Sinasoid Signature Slate instrument cable will now be available in a coil version. The Sinasoid Signature Slate Coil is a 35-foot cable coiled into a seven to fifteen foot extender in a semigloss vintage cream jacket. The cable, which is made in the USA, features Double Reussen shielding and a stranded...
Gear Review: Gallien-Krueger MB410 Bass Combo Amplifier
Gallien-Krueger’s latest line of combo amps, the MB combo series, has all the GK tone and power you’d expect from GK and some features that will really appeal to the “plug and play” musician. The 500 watt GK MB410 is relatively light weight at 49 lbs and has a streamlined black box presence. All controls are on the top and...
Harbouring Oceans: Enso
Bassist Ken Farrell shared this video of his band, Harbouring Oceans, performing their debut song “Enso”. “I think our sound is quite similar in parts to Maddie Jay and the PH Collective, who I discovered through your site,” Ken shared. “I’m playing a Musicman Bongo 6 on the track, which was recorded in Windmill Lane Studio 1, Dublin, Ireland.” We...
Pair of Christian Fabian Live Albums Released
Christian Fabian, a versatile jazz bassist and co-leader of the New Lionel Hampton Big Band, has released two live albums this year. The first, Live at Trumpets, sees him playing alongside pianist Matt King and guitarist Paul Meyers. Fabian, who originally hails from Sweden, is a fixture on the U.S. jazz scene and is also the co-founder of the Native...
TC Electronic Introduces Sub ‘N’ Up Octaver Pedal
TC Electronic has introduced the Sub ‘N’ Up, an octaver pedal that features their next-generation octave engine. The unit has one octave up control and two sub-octaves with a dry control to dial in your direct signal. The first sub control mixes in an octave down signal while the sub 2 control mixes in a signal two octaves lower for...
How to Reharmonize a Song
Q: I’ve heard jazz musicians talk about “reharms”, which are just reharmonization of a song (or so I’m told). Can you explain how to “reharmonize” a song? A: There was a time where I was also mystified by whatever the process of reharmonizing a tune might be. I figured that it must require some deep, deep level of understanding of...
Miles Mosley: How I Got The Gig
Bass monster Miles Mosley’s impressive resume is a who’s who of popular music. He’s shared the stage and studio with Chris Cornell, Common, Christina Aguilera, Jonathan Davis, Herbie Hancock, Gnarls Barkley, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Mosley recently opened up to Jammcard during their “How I Got the Gig” interview series about how he landed the role...
Matthew Garrison Gets Personal in Trio With Jack DeJohnette
Bass virtuoso Matthew Garrison; drummer, pianist and composer Jack DeJohnette; and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, son of the legendary sax player/composer John Coltrane, have combined their talents as a trio. DeJohnette, who also happens to be Matt’s godfather, played with both Matthew and Ravi’s fathers a half-century ago, when he guested with Coltrane’s group. Matt’s father, Jimmy, was Coltrane’s bassist for...