Buzz
Herbie Hancock with Marcus Miller: Actual Proof (Live)
In 2005, Herbie Hancock took the stage at Tokyo Jazz with a special Headhunters line up that featured Marcus Miller on bass. The band also included Terri Lyne Carrington on drums, Roy Hargrove on trumpet, Munyungo Jackson on percussion, Lionel Loueke on guitar and vocals and Wah Wah Watson on guitar. Here they are performing the tune “Actual Proof”. Marcus...
The Blues: It’s Not “Just a Blues”
Believe it or not, I’m a huge fan of the blues. This particular genre caught my attention at a young age and it has taken years (and, I expect, will require many more) to appreciate some of its subtleties. If you’ve had an opportunity to check out my series on blues bass playing, then this column acts as a quintessential...
Fernando Molinari: “Taffontry 20mg” Country/Fusion Slap Bass
Yes, you read that right: Country/Fusion slap bass. Brazilian bassist Fernando Molinari posted this play-along of the song “Taffontry 20mg” from his album Identidade, which is kind of like a honky tonk song on speed. More of the fusion part of the equation comes out at 1:55 when Molinari plays some blazing tapping lines in unison with the guitar. I’m...
BC Bass Relay Raises Money For Cancer Research
Here’s another reason why the bass community is the best: bassists in the United Kingdom are donating to a good cause as part of the BC Bass Relay. Started in mid-January by James Ryan, a member of the online forum BassChat, the relay includes a single Stagg BC300 Fusion bass being used as a “baton” for gigs to raise money...
Bass of the Week: Lipe Guitars Lupara
The Lipe Guitars Lupara bass is handmade in California by veteran luthier Mike Lipe. Based on his guitar models, the Lupara comes in 4- and 5-string versions with a choice of P/J, J/J, and humbucker pickup configurations. The bass comes standard with an alder body that’s contoured for comfort. Several choices for exotic tops are available including mango, quilted maple,...
Seeing the Light: An Interview with Peter Hook
Peter Hook is a man who marches to the beat of his own drum, and that beat will lead him on a world tour this year as he and his band The Light present New Order’s Movement and Power, Corruption, & Lies in their entirety. The group will dig deep to play all the singles and B-sides in order as...
Henrique Corrêa: Solo Slap Bass Groove
Bassist Henrique Corrêa sent us this video of him laying down a sweet groove. What more needs to be said?
In Memoriam: Chris Friedrich
Chris Friedrich, bassist for post-rock outfit Caspian, has passed away. The band made the announcement on their website. “We write to you today with heavy hearts and indescribable sadness to tell you that our bass player, Chris Friedrich, died unexpectedly Sunday afternoon,” they wrote. “We have lost a close friend, a true brother, and a presence that can never be...
Fender Custom Shop Introduces Sean Hurley Signature 1961 Precision Bass
The Fender Custom Shop has unveiled the Sean Hurley Signature 1961 Precision Bass, available in Three-color Sunburst, Olympic White and Charcoal Frost. The model replicates the renowned session bassist’s own vintage Precision bass down to the piece of foam he stuffed under the strings in front of the bridge to deaden the strings. That led the company to create a...
Life as a Working Bassist: Where Does the Money Come From?
Q: What is the reality of how guys like you earn a living? I don’t mean to imply that you are “rolling in it,” but how do bassists who focus on freelance work actually make ends meet? A: Great question! Although I’ve talked about the various ways to make things happen in a career or in a scene, I don’t...
Joe Osborn Birthday Celebration: Two Great Videos
Today is birthday of legendary bassist Joe Osborn, so we thought we’d share a couple of videos to help celebrate. The first one is an isolated track – vocals, drums and bass on the Carpenters hit “Close to You”. This one offers up a pretty simple bass line with some tasty licks throughout. But as the case with all great...
Linda Oh Releases “Sun Pictures”
Jazz bassist Linda Oh has returned with her third solo album, entitled Sun Pictures. While the effort’s title is taken from an historic outdoor movie theater in her sister’s hometown of Broome, Australia, its concept is based on the bassist’s journeys abroad. “Each one of these tunes is a tiny snapshot of my recent travels and of my experiences playing...