Buzz

For the last 15 years, bassist Aaron Germain has backed up a wide range of performers, including Yusef Lateef, Stanley Jordon, Andy Narell, Bonnie Raitt and many others. Now Germain has released his debut album, Before You Go, his first as a leader. The album consists of 10 tracks, featuring Germain’s compositions ranging from jazz, funk, blues and reggae. Joining...

Bachman and Turner, who reunited late last year, have made two new tracks available to their online fans. This marks their first new release together in 20 years. “I’m thrilled to be working on new music with Fred [Turner] and feel a sense of excitement and anticipation,” guitarist Randy Bachman stated. “I feel like I’m coming full circle with a...

Carole King and James Taylor have recently released a live CD/DVD combo album, Live At The Troubadour. The 2007 performance was part of a 50th anniversary celebration of the venue, but also marked 36 years since King and Taylor played at the Troubadour together. “The Troubadour in 1971 wasn’t the beginning, but it was a big step into the light...

Here’s a live performance by Christian McBride and his band, Inside Straight, performing at the Cotton Club in Tokyo in August 2009. This thing swings! Joining McBride are Tim Green on alto sax, Peter Martin on piano, Warren Wolf on vibes and Carl Allen on drums. The tune comes from the group’s Kind of Brown album (check out our past...

Shortly after the release of their fourth album, The Bled has confirmed that bassist Brad Murray has left the band. Heat Fetish, released earlier this year, has received positive reviews. Murray’s departure comes right at the beginning of their latest USA tour “The Rise” with In Fear and Faith, Of Mice and Men, and The Color Morale. No statement has...

This will be an exciting month for Stone Temple Pilots bassist Robert DeLeo and his wife – they’re expecting their second son to be born in the next few weeks. Stone Temple Pilots will also be releasing a new self-titled album on May 25th – the first since 2001’s Shangri-La-Dee-Da. DeLeo had the following to say in a recent interview...

Dominic Miller, the guitarist known best for his acoustic guitar work, has released his first electric album of his solo career, November. The move wasn’t easy, either. “I cleaned house and went back to zero again by putting [my first] four albums behind me,” shares Miller. Miller decided November would be an instrumental album, and knew his choice of compositions...

This McCoy Tyner band performance, shot during the mid 80’s at the Harvest Jazz Festival, features a great solo intro by bassist Avery Sharpe. Tyner follows up with an amazing solo of his own. The rest of the band includes Bobby Hutcherson, John Blake and Ronnie Burrage

Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys has created a nonprofit organization called the Claddagh Fund, to help raise money for organizations helping needy children, veterans and their families, and alcohol and substance abuse recovery. Though it was only recently started, the fund has already raised nearly $200,000 with three events including a family skating session at Fenway Park. One of...

In a post on Interpol’s website, the indie rockers recently announced that bassist Carlos D would be leaving the band. The band has just finished up a new album and explained that “This separation is amicable, and we whole-heartedly wish him great happiness and success. We will remain, as always, deeply respectful fans of this blazingly talented individual.” According to...

Ask Damian Erskine: Landing Endorsements

Q: I am in the process of getting endorsements, but I want to know what the most effective way to get it done right the first time. I was at NAMM this year and spoke to a variety of people just to meet and greet, but I didn’t ask for artist endorsements. I have an EPK (pics, vids, recordings, and...

Here’s bassist Baba Elefante performing the Mingus classic “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” at the 2009 faculty concert at the National Guitar Workshop in LA. Elefante is joined by Blake Colie on drums.