Buzz

Q: I’ve recently found myself really inspired by guys who play a lot less notes and leave a lot more space in the music, in particular Charlie Haden. I was wondering how you would approach playing less/leaving more space yet still creating a bass line that is interesting, enjoyable and challenging to play? I was also wondering if you thought...

This is the great Keith Horne soloing over the Miles Davis tune “All Blues”. Check out his amazing slap bass technique on that 6-string strung upside down!

Punk legend Mike Watt’s supergroup project, Floored by Four, has announced that they will be releasing a self-titled debut album, due out September 28 on Chimera Records. This will be their first recording together, a little over a year after their first live performance. The other band members include Wilco guitarist Nels Cline, former Cibo Matto keyboardist Yuka Honda and...

Reader Spotlight: Dirk McNasty

Meet bassist Dirk McNasty, our player in the spotlight for June 15th, 2010. Bio: As bassist for The Underground Blues Division, I’ve been fortunate enough to share stages with some of my heroes, such as, Chris Duarte, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and Steve Cropper. After years of playing, I’m finally in the band I’ve always dreamed of and couldn’t be...

A Review of “The Stanley Clarke Band”

In The Stanley Clarke Band, the great bassist has released a record which is the heir to the halcyon days of School Days, Stanley Clarke and Journey to Love. There are some extended, electric fusion pieces and a range of fresh sounding music. As the title hints, it’s very much a band record: Stanley’s line up features exciting young players...

I’ve seen a few renditions of Mozart’s Turkish March done on bass, but this one is my favourite so far. It is performed by Grzegorz Kosi?ski on his Spector 5-string. This must be very tiring on his right arm to play though as he (for the most part of the song) only uses one finger on his right hand!

Eight years since his last solo effort, Ray Riendeau is set to release his latest. Atmospheres will release this summer, after two years of work. The music blends fusion, jazz, rock and electronica and features a big supporting cast, including guitarists Alex Machacek, Nat Janoff, Marco Sfogli, Greg Koch, Jeff Kollman, Ron Jarzombek, Derek Taylor, Rob Michael and Ward Aycock;...

In a recent article by the LA Times bassist Esperanza Spalding revealed how she is teaching young children about jazz in new and engaging ways with band mate Leo Genovese. She has introduced free jazz improvisation to young children with a Cops & Robbers spin: Leo musician plays a lead, and Spalding tries to catch him – if she succeeds...

Pigtronix has introduced their latest analog effects pedal: the EP2 Envelope Phaser. The EP2 is a redesign of the company’s original Envelope Phaser, but still features the option of both envelope and LFO modulation. Among the new features is a “Staccato” function which accommodates tight funk bass by “listening” to your playing and discharging the envelope between your notes. This...

Here’s Percy Jones and his band, live in Shibuya, Tokyo in 1999. Not the best video or audio quality, but worth watching the fretless master do his thing.

1. Video: Jeff Beck Tour: Rhonda Smith Live Bass Solo/People Get Ready Here’s a great look at the new Jeff Beck band line-up with Rhonda Smith performing live at Tokyo International Hall in Tokyo on April 13, 2010. 2. Player News: Mick Karn Diagnosed with Cancer Bassist Mick Karn has been diagnosed with advanced stages of cancer, according to a...

After announcing her work on several upcoming albums, Tal Wilkenfeld revealed that she will be joining Herbie Hancock on the road as he tours in support of his newest effort, The Imagine Project. Wilkenfeld broke the news on her Facebook page, adding that to do so, she will be taking a break from making her new album. The tour will...