News - Page 269

We’ve been waiting for this. Robert Trujillo is hosting a “work-in-progress screening” of his Jaco documentary next month at the Mill Valley Film Festival. The film, which has been in production since 2012, is described as one capturing “the story of his restless, indestructible spirit” of Jaco Pastorius. The event is part of MVFF Artists in Residence series, with members...

The live sound of keyboardist Chick Corea’s trio with bassist Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade is what the group’s 3 CD set, , is all about. Recorded around the world as the trio toured, the live triple set features the group in performances recorded in Washington, D.C., and Oakland, CA; in Spain, Switzerland and Austria; and in Slovenia, Turkey...

Robert Plant reevaluates his British roots on . With the band, the Sensational Shape Shifters, featuring longtime Bristol, England-based electric and upright bassist Billy Fuller, Plant has created music somewhat inspired by the landscape in which he called home during childhood and the beginnings of a long and storied career. The former Led Zeppelin frontman’s work with the Sensational Shape...

Swedish metal band In Flames has released its 11th studio album, . The group, which features Peter Iwers on bass, is known for its evolution from its melodic death metal beginnings to a sound that in recent years, has incorporated more alternative and metalcore elements. Siren Charms is available on , and as a digital download ( and ). Hear...

Love 1950s’-style “cool” jazz? You’re in good company. Renowned bassist Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, King Crimson) and his famed keyboardist brother Pete (Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Jaco Pastorius, Wayne Shorter) have always adored it, too, and now the pair have recorded their first album together as a duo, because of their affection for it. As Tony, who also plays cello...

Andy McKee, a jazz bassist nominated for two Grammys for his work with the Mingus Big Band, has authored a book to help others improve their playing. is designed for bassists of all skill levels, offering insight on a wide swath of topics, from improvising, soloing and practicing to instrument care, performance, and right-and-left-hand technique. McKee is also the author...

Let a bassist break down why Big Star was so important. The bassist, by the way, is R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, who penned liner notes for the reissues of two of the power pop trailblazers/originators’ albums — its 1972 debut, and its 1974 followup . Big Star was a band “who made records that sounded like rock and roll bands should...

The author of Billboard Books’ best-selling The Musician’s Handbook has some more advice to offer. This time, Bobby Borg, who has a long career as a musician, educator and author, is turning his eye and pen to going DIY with . Published as part of Hal Leonard Corp.’s Music Pro Series of guides and CDs, the book shares how innovative...

It’s been 17 years since Faith No More released an album, but that streak will be broken in April 2015 according to Bill Gould. The bassist, who will also be producing the group’s untitled seventh album, broke the news to Rolling Stone. The release will be on their own imprint, Reclamation Records. “The name has to do with the fact...

If you missed out on the Avishai Cohen Trio’s Gently Disturbed when it came out in 2008, or you just always wanted a vinyl version of the record, . The work, from the trio featuring the innovative Cohen on bass, Mark Guiliana on drums and Shai Maestro on piano, received a host of accolades for its near-redefinition of jazz. You...

Are you a lover of Charlie “Bird” Parker’s iconic jazz sax solos and yearn to play them on your bass? Then, you need to check out this book — . The 96-page book from Hal Leonard Corp. offers instruction on how to play some of Parker’s most well-known solos. Just take a look at the song list: Anthropology Au Privave...

Swedish progressive metal band Opeth has released the follow-up to its acclaimed 2011 album, Heritage. , featuring the bass work of Martín Méndez, is the 11th album from the group, which originated as a death metal outfit. Méndez and vocalist-guitarist-producer Mikael Åkerfeldt wrote all the songs on the album, which Åkerfeldt says found the group focusing on melodies more than...