Buzz
Electro-Harmonix Introduces the Nano Bass Big Muff Pi
Electro-Harmonix has expanded their bass offerings with the announcement of the Nano Bass Big Muff Pi, a distortion/sustainer pedal that blends features of its predecessors into a smaller package. The new pedal is voiced like the EHX Russian Big Muff but has a classic Big Muff Pi control layout with Sustain, Tone, and Volume knobs. Electro-Harmonix says the pedal dishes...
Geezer Butler: Another Black Sabbath Album Possible
Less than a year after scoring their first number one album in the United States with 13, the metal pioneers in Black Sabbath may be getting ready for a followup, says bassist Geezer Butler. “We’ve still got four tracks left over from the album,” he told Time Out Dubai, “so maybe we’ll fill in the other four or five tracks...
Victor Wooten & Federico Malaman: Isn’t She Lovely
During the 2014 Musikmesse show in Frankfurt, two remarkable bassists – who have wowed us all with their solo performances – got together to perform one iconic song. Those bassists are Victor Wooten and Federico Malaman. The tune is Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely.”
Martin Wind Quintet Releases “Turn Out the Stars – Music Written or Inspired by Bill Evans”
Bassist Martin Wind and his quartet are back with an album that pays tribute to the great jazz composer/pianist Bill Evans. The quartet includes Scott Robinson on tenor sax, Bill Cunliffe on piano and Joe LaBarbera on drums. LaBarbera also played in a trio with Evans. The album, , sees the quartet working with the Italian Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana and...
Weekly Top 10: The Top Bass Stories, Videos & More for the Week of May 18th
This past week wasn’t all great in the world of bass. First, we reported the passing of Randy Coven, who left us far too soon at the age of 54. We also learned that Paul McCartney had to postpone his tour due to health issues. On a happier note, we enjoyed some terrific videos by Ian Trusheim, Joe Dart with...
Victor Wooten Announces Summer 2014 Tour and Clinic Dates
Victor Wooten is coming off a tour of Europe, but that’s not stopping him. The bassist isn’t known for taking it slow. Vic has just announced a tour which will cover 14 states in the U.S. this summer, including some free clinics along the way. And if that wasn’t enough, VixCamps has announced their summer and fall programs at Wooten...
Deltron 3030 Featuring Juan Alderete: City Rising From the Ashes
Juan Alderete has such a singular voice on the bass, and yet he can be so versatile. He got his first break in the metal scene, spent plenty of years with innovative rockers Mars Volta, and has his own experimental duo Big Sir with vocalist Lisa Papineau. Through it all, he’s always been about hip hop. “When [I joined Racer...
Hal Leonard Publishes Dream Theater Bass Anthology
John Myung’s playing in Dream Theater is hard to duplicate, but the from Hal Leonard aims to help you do just that, with transcriptions of 14 of the progressive metal band’s most popular songs as played by the iconic bassist. You can try your hand at replicating his technique, particularly his tapping style on “Metropolis-Part 1”, with the help of...
Freekbass: Victoria Thunder
Tie dye? Check. Disco skating? Check. Funky bass? Check, check, check. Freekbass likes to keep things funky and, well, freeky. Here’s the first video for the track “Victoria Thunder” from his latest album, Everybody’s Feelin’ Real.
Luminlay Introduces M19 Luminescent Knobs
Luminscent position marker company Luminlay has expanded their product line to include the MA19 series of knobs. The knobs, which come in five colors, are inlaid with luminescent numbers for easy visibility on a dark stage. Similar to their inlays, the knob’s numbers are activated by a Luminlay LED light charger. Suited for a six millimeter shaft diameter, the knobs...
Bass Players to Know: Jack Bruce
Time to throw a little rock and roll into the series! This column features Jack Bruce, the classically influenced singing bass player from across the pond. So who is Jack Bruce? Widely known for his work with Cream, Bruce has had an amazing career both as a band member and solo artist. Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, Bruce grew up in...
Gino Vannelli: “Wild Horses” Live
The first time I heard of Gino Vannelli was thanks to Damian Erskine (who now plays regularly with Gino). Back in 2007, Gino and his band at the Java Jazz Festival in 2007, including this tune, “Wild Horses”. The thing that grabbed me most about this performance was bassist Sandin Wilson’s fretless work and tone. See if you agree.