Buzz
Care Fund Set Up for New Orleans Bassist Left in Coma
The music community is coming to the aid of jazz bassist Doug Potter, who was left in a coma after a brutal attack in New Orleans. Potter had just finished playing a gig at Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street when two men assaulted him as he carried his bass back to his car. The incident was caught on video and...
Yamaha Now Shipping TRBX Basses
Yamaha was showing off their new TRBX series of basses at this year’s Winter NAMM show. Combining elements of their former TRB and RBX lines, the new basses come in 300 and 500 levels with differing controls and pickups. All of the instruments sport a mahogany body and a five-piece maple/mahogany neck. The 500-level basses include the TRBX504 and TRBX505,...
Manuel Jiménez Gastélum: “Fine China” Bass Cover
It’s always great to discover cool bass lines that you wouldn’t normally hear. I don’t listen to much pop, but Manuel Jiménez Gastélum sent in this cover of Chris Brown’s “Fine China,” and I dig it. The song has a funky distorted bass line that he absolutely nails and his tone is killer.
Etienne Mbappe Returns with “Pater Noster”
Silk-gloved bassist Etienne Mbappe’s album combines the Duala language of his native Cameroon, a huge groove and blazing bass. Mbappe, known for his work with legendary guitarist John McLaughlin, as well as his own solo music, is also the vocalist on the collection of joyous, danceable tunes. The groove on “Wondja” from Pater Noster is worth checking out, even if...
Weekly Top Ten: The Best in Bass for the Week of January 26th
This week’s top 10 features more gear news and videos from the NAMM Show. But it was Damian Erskine’s new column that reigned supreme. One person asked about modes and scales thousands of bassists apparently wanted to know more about the topic as well. One of our favorites here at NT HQ also made the list: the latest Profiles in...
Rickenbacker Announces 4003W Bass
Rickenbacker has introduced the W Series of guitars and basses for 2014. The lineup is a spin on their classic models, including the 4003 bass, but are made with walnut bodies. Though the company states that it’s careful not to change too much from the formulas they use to make instrument, they say the walnut adds strength and natural character....
Doug Johns: Booty Groove
When Doug Johns got together with drummer Jordan Simmons, he described it as “just groovin’.” Here’s some of that groovin’, titled “Booty Groove”. Oh yeah.
Arild Andersen Releases “Mira”
Norwegian jazz bass great Arild Andersen has produced a studio album of ballads with drummer Paolo Vinaccia and tenor sax player Tommy Smith – the same trio responsible for the Live at Belleville album. features mostly work written by Andersen, but it does include a cover of Burt Bacharach’s classic, “Alfie.” In an interview with Jazz Times reproduced on his...
Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in January
Thanks to the Winter NAMM Show, January is always a huge month for new gear stories. (So much so, we’ll still be covering the NAMM news into February). Here are the top 10 most popular gear stories in January, based on readership. Thanks as always for reading, commenting and sharing. And here’s to lots more gear news! 1. Cort Jeff...
Troy Roberts’ Nu-Jive 5, Featuring Eric England: Stoner
A couple of weeks ago, we featured a video of Dane Alderson playing with Troy Roberts’ Nu-Jive, and it led me to check out more of the saxophonists videos. Mr. Roberts obviously has a knack for picking great bassists, because I was blown away by Eric England in this video for the song “Stoner.” The bassist floats a nice big...
Angelique Kidjo Releases “Eve”, Featuring Christian McBride
The queen of African music and one of music’s most extraordinary bassists have joined forces. The record is Angelique Kidjo’s album, . She’s the queen, of course, and the bassist is Christian McBride, who has worked with everyone from Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock to pop/rock stars Sting and Don Henley. McBride is a longtime fan of Kidjo and he...
Makers of the Melody: Part 1
As we begin our journey as bass players, we are drawn to particular types of grooves. Perhaps our ears perk up with a soulful R&B line, the sound of a walking upright, or a rock tune where the bass is pedaling the roots. Many of us are intrigued by vibrant staccato grooves, the slaps and pops of 70’s funk, or...