Buzz
Focusrite Introduces Scarlett 2i4 Audio Interface
Focusrite has a new USB audio interface dubbed the Scarlett 2i4. Featuring two inputs and four outputs, the 2i4 is housed in an anodized aluminum unibody chassis. The two combo XLR inputs allow for plugging in your bass, guitar, or microphone. Each input’s gain knob has a signal halo around it that changes color to inform you about your signal....
Pablo Elorza: “Havona” Lesson and Analysis
Bassist Pablo Elorza has started a new series on YouTube he’s calling “Deep Into Electric Bass Classics” with the infamous Jaco Pastorius tune “Havona.” Elorza rips through the tune, then breaks it all down for everyone trying to learn. He speaks in Spanish, but don’t worry, there are English subtitles for his in-depth analysis. Time to hit the woodshed!
Julie Slick Releases “Terroir”
Two years after her self-titled solo debut, Julie Slick has returned with Terroir, which is now available on BandCamp. Full of lush soundscapes, inspired compositions, and incredible bass playing, the 10-song album’s title offers several dimensions to the album’s meaning. ”Terroir is a French word, meaning ‘from the earth,’” she explains. “It is used to describe the qualities of a...
Fodera Introduces Monarch 4 Standard Bass Guitar
Fodera is finishing out their Standard series of basses with the Monarch 4 Standard. Similar to the Matt Garrison, Emperor 5, and Yin Yang Standard basses, the new model is built in batch and offered in a single configuration with no options in order to keep the price and wait time down. The Monarch 4 Standard is built with a...
25 Years Later: The Continued Influence of Jaco Pastorius
Usually when we mark an anniversary, it is cause for celebration. Today isn’t one of those anniversaries. Twenty-five years ago today, the world lost a man many say was the greatest bass player ever. Jaco Pastorius, at the age of 35, died days after a violent altercation at a Florida bar. In the 25 years since Jaco’s passing, a lot...
Wood Brothers Release “Live 2: Nail & Tooth”
The Wood Brothers have released the second installment of their live set with the release of Live, Volume 2: Nail & Tooth. The duo recorded the live sets during their 20-date U.S. tour, featuring covers from some of their biggest influences, including songs by Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Allen Toussaint. Bassist Chris Wood, who also handles vocals and harmonica and...
Bass of the Week: Shuker Singlecut Elite
The Shuker Singlecut Elite is one beautiful instrument. Built by luthier Jon Shuker in the UK, the bass is highly customizable with options running from number of strings to top wood to construction type. Standard features include a 7-piece laminated neck made of maple, wenge, and padauk, a walnut body core, and a fingerboard of either Rio Rosewood, ebony, or...
Playing with Words and Music: An Interview with Victor Wooten (Part 1)
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” might be a familiar phrase to most of us, but Victor Wooten has evidently never heard of it. Or, if he has, he’s never heeded its advice. With his ground-breaking A Show Of Hands CD, Wooten launched himself into the limelight of the bass community (and the greater music community too), proving himself...
Peter Kastner: Nardis
Alistair Lasken sent in this video of Peter Kastner playing a funky version of the jazz standard “Nardis.” Peter has a simple drum track to accompany him and his Rob Allen MB-2 fretless bass. (Check out our Bass of the Week feature on the MB-2.)
Fourplay Releases “Esprit De Four”
Contemporary jazz quartet Fourplay have released their thirteenth album, entitled Esprit De Four. Originally formed in 1991, the band currently consists of bassist Nathan East, drummer Harvey Mason, keyboardist Bob James and guitarist Chuck Loeb. This is Loeb’s second recording with Fourplay and the band is taking advantage of the new direction. “In the songwriting and recording process, we were...
Led Zeppelin Announce New Live DVD, Celebration Day
Led Zeppelin has confirmed the release of Celebration Day, a film of the one-off reunion concert they performed at London’s O2 Arena in 2007. The film will be shown in theaters worldwide October 17th with CD, DVD, Blu-ray and LP formats and hitting shelves on November 19th. Anchored by bassist John Paul Jones, the band reunited for the concert to...
Life as a Bassist: Balancing Art and Income
Q: I do regular cover gigs, but I also play with a few original artists and I’m worried about them conflicting. I was wondering how you balance your “work” gigs with your “fun” gigs? A: I have touched on this in previous columns, but this is a topic worthy of its own dedicated discussion. For starters, this is a subjective...