Buzz
Nathan Williams: Pick Up The Pieces
Yesterday, we featured a performance by Average White Band, performing “Cut the Cake” live. Today, another AWB tune – “Pick up the Pieces” – this time performed as a solo bass looper arrangement by Nathan Williams.
Harriet Tubman Releases “Ascension”, Featuring Melvin Gibbs
Harriet Tubman, the group formed in 1998 by bassist Melvin Gibbs, guitarist Brandon Ross and drummer J.T. Lewis has released their latest effort, entitled . The album, recorded live in 2000, is an interpretation of John Coltrane’s 1966 release of the same name. True to form, the group pushes the musical boundaries with this release, expanding to a “Double Trio”...
Bakithi Kumalo to Tour with Paul Simon
Bassist Bakithi Kumalo will be joining Paul Simon once again for a global tour in support of the new album So Beautiful or So What. The trek will take them from coast to coast in the U.S. before heading to Europe in June. Kumalo and Simon first worked together when the singer recruited a band for his classic album, Graceland....
Lessons Learned from Scott LaFaro: Playing the 1825 Abraham Prescott Bass
Recently, I had an experience that changed the way I think about instruments. Years ago, I used to get nervous sitting in on other people’s gigs for fear of not being able get “my sound” out of their bass. You know what I’m taking about, right? You grab someone else’s bass, play a few notes, then think “uh-oh, this action...
Average White Band: Cut The Cake Live
Here’s Average White Band, getting funky and getting the crowd going during Sinbad’s Summer Jam. Eliot Lewis is the bassist holding down the groove (and taking a quick solo break).
RIP: Gerard Smith
TV On The Radio bassist Gerard Smith passed away yesterday, following his battle with lung cancer. He was 34. The news came via an announcement from the band. “We are very sad to announce the death of our beloved friend and bandmate, Gerard Smith, following a courageous fight against lung cancer,” the band said in a statement. “Gerard passed away...
Phil Jones Pure Sound Releases D-600 Dual Channel Digital Bass Amp
Phil Jones Pure Sound has a new bass amp on the market, the D-600 Digital Amplifier. Taking after their D-200, the new model is rated at 600 watts while weighing in at merely 7 pounds. The dual channel setup give each path it’s own 5-band EQ and mute switch. Other features include an optical limiter and front-facing aux-in with separate...
Playing Pain Free
Q: As someone who wants to practice for hours each day, what advice would you give to prevent injury? Do you have any warm up routines or other advice? A: You know, I’ve been lucky. I’ve never consciously warmed up when practicing, and I’ve never had any pain issues. However, I’ve noticed more recently that it takes my hands and...
Jaco Pastorius: Unreleased “Teen Town” Live Video 1978
Here’s some amazing and really rare footage of Weather Report performing Jaco Pastorius’s “Teen Town”, filmed live in Reading, PA in 1978 by Dr. Fred Erskine (drummer Peter Erskine’s father). While the video isn’t very good quality, the performance is top notch, with the quartet of Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Peter Erskine and Jaco.
Legoland Empire Releases EP Featuring Trip Wamsley
Bassist Trip Wamsley shared on his Facebook page that Legoland Empire has released Guard the Point, a new 4-track EP on Bandcamp. Wamsley, whose playing on the album ranges from funky grooves to gnarly distorted riffs, describes the album as masterminded by former Wild Cherry bassist Allen Wentz. The group also includes Neil Alexander on keys and guitarist Rob Michael....
Reader Spotlight: Jeanette Jones
Meet Jeanette Jones, a busy person and busy bassist from Staten Island, NY, and our player in the spotlight for April 19, 2011. Bio: I am an overextended mother of four who fits playing with multiple bands into my life because of how important it is for me to be connected to music. I stopped playing for quite some time...
Berthold Basten: Streets of Montreal
Berthold Basten‘s love for his Godin fretless bass inspired him to write a tune. We thought you’d enjoy it too.