Buzz
Ray Riendeau Announces North American Tour with Dream Theater’s James LaBrie
Bassist Ray Riendeau will be touring with Dream Theater singer James LaBrie, on a winter tour of the U.S. and Canada. The tour is in support of LaBrie’s new album, Static Impulse, released on September 28, 2010. The album debuted at #14 on the Billboard Heatseekers, for top new artists. Tour Dates: Nov. 26, 2010: Charlotte, NC – Tremont Music...
Gear Watch: TASCAM TC-1S Solar Powered Tuner
TASCAM has unveiled the world’s first solar-powered tuner, the TC-1S. The tuner, which comes in six colors, runs on a battery charged by a bank of solar cells, but a USB input is included to quickly charge up in case you’re in the dark. A strap and clip are built on to the shockproof silicon cover so you can keep...
Jeff Beck with Tal Wilkenfeld: Big Block, Live at Ronnie Scott’s
Taken from the Performing This Week… Live at Ronnie Scott’s DVD, here’s Jeff Beck, Tal Wilkenfeld (bass), Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) and Jason Rebello (keys) performing Beck’s “Big Block”.
YellowJackets Sign to Mack Avenue, Plan New Album
The contemporary jazz band Yellowjackets have just signed to Mack Avenue Records, and will be making their label debut in 2011 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their first album. The release will be their 21st studio album, following 2008’s Lifecycle. The current band lineup includes founding member and bassist Jimmy Haslip, keyboardist Russell Ferrante, drummer Will Kennedy and saxophonist...
Gear Watch: Fender Announces Roger Waters Precision Bass
Fender has introduced a new Roger Waters Precision to their line of basses, named after the Pink Floyd bassist. The bass features a black-on-black color scheme (black body and black, single-ply pickguard), and is equipped with Seymour Duncan Basslines SPB-3 Quarter-Pound split-coil Precision Bass pickup, knurled black control knobs (master volume, master tone), brass nut, black bridge and strap buttons,...
Should Bassists Be Multi-Instrumentalists?
Q: I’m curious as to your opinion of secondary instruments for bassists. From a well-rounded musician perspective, I can see the value of being a multi-instrumentalist. From a gigging perspective, I would think that a bassist might be more marketable if he or she had show-ready skills on keys, or guitar, or ???… A: I definitely agree that any musician...
Michael Benjamin Plays Charlie Parker’s “Confirmation” on Bass
Michael Benjamin says “Most Bassists attempt ‘Donna Lee’, but to this day I haven’t seen anybody pull out ‘Confirmation’ on the bass. I hope this inspires you bass players out there!” Time to practice.
Alfred Releases “No Brainer: Play Bass” Instructional Book
Alfred Music’s No-Brainer series of instructional books has been expanded to cover the low end with the new No-Brainer: Play Bass edition. The bass method is designed for the beginner interested in becoming a working musician by starting with how to hold the bass up through music theory. It also includes lessons on licks in the styles of famous bassists...
Reader Spotlight: Paul Vienneau
Meet Paul Vienneau, a bassist from Nova Scotia, and our player in the spotlight for October 5th, 2010. Bio: I come from a musical family and started bass at 12 years old, after playing drums for four years. My older brother introduced me to jazz, fusion, funk, etc., while my friends and I listened to AC/DC, Rush, KISS, etc. I’m...
A Review of Scott Colley’s “Empire”
Empire, the latest from Scott Colley, is a very special record and must be a front runner for jazz record of the year. Colley has carefully assembled a great team of musicians to interpret his compositions. Empire builds a range of sustained moods and often intense and slow-building, burning grooves. There’s more than a hint of Americana of the kind...
Tony Franklin: Morning Raga (The Mother’s Call)
Here’s a clip of Tony Franklin playing one of his original songs at Bass Bash in 2006, accompanied by guitarist Greg Koch and drummer John Calarco.
James LoMenzo to Replace Billy Sheehan for Ramones Benefit Concert
Black Label Society / Megadeth bassist James LoMenzo will replace Billy Sheehan for the upcoming benefit concert for the newly created Marky Ramone Drum Scholarship. Sheehan has had to pull out of the event due to commitments in Europe. “I’m a real big fan of the Ramones, and this was unexpected,” Sheehan said “Good luck on this amazing concert!” The...