Buzz

Check out some great upright bass walking and soloing by Red Mitchell, playing “It Don’t Mean a Thing” along with trumpeter Clark Terry, live in 1988.

Victor Wooten has just started a new tour with his band for the summer. The lineup includes Victor’s brothers, Regi Wooten on guitar and Joseph Wooten on keyboards, as well as Derico Watson on drums. The tour will include dates throughout the southern USA and Australia from now through September 26th: July 8, 2010 – Charlotte, NC July 9, 2010...

Gear Watch: AweSome B-35 Bass Guitar

AweSome Musical Instruments has unveiled their line of B-35 bass guitars. Available as a 4 or 5-string, the bass features three J-style pickups with six switches as part of their TW-35 Patented Pickup Switching System. After a little math, it adds up to 35 different pickup tones. The passive pickups are switched between on and off, in-phase and reverse-phase, and...

Passive vs. Active Circuitry?

Q: I’m just getting back into the bass and there’s something I’ve always been curious about: the differences (as well as the different kinds) of passive vs. active circuitry. What are the main differences between them, why are there only active and passive circuits, and what does it mean to have either in a bass? A: Although I am not...

Cassandra Wilson with Lonnie Plaxico: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)

This video features a live performance of Cassandra Wilson with Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Brandon Ross on guitar and Jeffrey Haynes on percussion. They’re playing Astrud Gilberto’s song “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)”. Watch for Lonnie’s solo around the 2:20-minute-mark.

Esperanza Spalding Wins DownBeat Critics Poll

Bassist, vocalist and composer Esperanza Spalding has won the DownBeat Critics Poll, in the “Acoustic Bass, Rising Star” category. Here are the bassists also in the running, with scores: Esperanza Spalding (100) Larry Grenadier (52) Ben Allison (45) Avishai Cohen (31) Scott Colley (28) John Hébert (27) Nicki Parrott (19) Linda Oh (18) Reuben Rogers (18) Drew Gress (17) Ben...

Reader Spotlight: George Radai

Meet bassist George Radai, our player in the spotlight for July 6, 2010. Bio: Born on the planet. In 1960. I’m about 5 foot 9, and I’m average, physically. Among the things I used to do or have done, and things I know a lot about or have a special interest in, are the following: Animals in general, zoos, dogs,...

Duff McKagan’s Loaded has announced that they will begin recording a new album in August. The group has been writing material for the upcoming project during the last few months, during which time McKagan has also been working with Jane’s Addiction. “We have been writing for the last few months and next week we start pre-production on the new LOADED...

Bohemian Rhapsody, Arranged for Bass

Check out Youtuber Allyourbassarebelong doing his bass arrangement of Queen’s classic “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

Dave Holland and Pepe Habichuela Release “Hands”

Jazz master Dave Holland has collaborated with flamenco guitarist Pepe Habichuela to release a Gypsy-flavored album, Hands. Habichuela, who has been on the scene since the ’80s and even worked with Jaco Pastorius, also recruited his sidemen and son, Josemi, for the project. Hands features tons of Gypsy rhythms as well as jazz influence, especially on the Holland tunes, “The...

Ernie Ball Debuts Music Man Reflex Bass

Ernie Ball has released the Music Man Reflex, which they were showing off at their booth during this summer’s NAMM show in Nashville. The bass is an evolution of the 25th Anniversary Bass, and features multiple pickup options. Choose from a standard single humbucker, dual humbuckers, or a humbucker plus two single-coils to suit your tone interests. The bass also...

The Beatles: “And Your Bird Can Sing” Take 2 Session

Here’s a great studio clip of the Beatles during the Revolver recording sessions, performing “And Your Bird Can Sing”. In this “take 2” recording, it is all about the bass (with light drums) and singing, with plenty of laughter. Thanks to Rachel, who shared this with us.