Buzz

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.

The recent flash floods in the Southeast have wreaked havoc on Nashville, Tennessee. Damage from this natural disaster has been dealt to nearly every member of the music community in the city, and even landmarks such as the Grand Ole Opry are underwater. To bring relief to those musicians who lost their instruments, gear, and even homes, Sean O’Bryan Smith...

Reader Spotlight: Brittany Frompovich

Meet Brittany Frompovich, our player in the spotlight for May 11, 2010. Bio: I picked up guitar at age 14, and then started playing double bass at age 18. I have a B.A. in Bass from Bloomsburg University. I currently teach 50 – 70 students per week, teach group classes and workshops, and perform in Northern Virginia. I am the...

If you’ve followed Jeff Berlin‘s career, you know he loves jazz and has released quite a few jazz and fusion solo albums. His latest, High Standards, is the first to feature jazz standards and consists entirely of Berlin and his trio’s spectacular take on nine well chosen tunes. The trio includes Berlin on electric bass, Richard Drexler on piano and...

This is a fun video from Fabio Meridiani, showcasing his rig and his funky bass playing.

Joseph Patrick Moore‘s latest album, To Africa With Love, releases today. The album is the Moore’s eighth solo effort, fusing funk, pop, jazz and tribal rhythms together to form his tribute to the people of Africa. Moore set out to create an album for a “continent that has experienced so much injustice and tragedy.” “Music has the power to uplift,...

After holding an open audition for a bassist, Billy Corgan has announced that the new keeper of the low end in the Smashing Pumpkins will be Nicole Fiorentino. Nicole, who’s resume includes work with Spinnerette, Veruca Salt, and Radio Vago, announced on her Myspace page that she was the group’s newest member. According to her post, she will be “keeping...

When approaching a challenging passage, one very useful technique is that of “adding a note.” Adding one note at a time is an excellent tool for improving passages technically. Many people enjoy this technique because it can usually be done at performance tempo, without slowing the passage down. When using the bow: Be sure to use the same amount of...