News - Page 387

Bassist/composer Michael Janisch, a newcomer to the jazz scene, has just released his first album as a leader, Purpose Built. The 12-track release includes performances by Aaron Goldberg (piano), Jim Hart (vibraphone), Jason Palmer (trumpet), Paul Booth (Tenor Saxophone), Mike Moreno (guitar), Patrick Cornelius (alto saxophone), Phil Robson (guitar), Walter Smith III (tenor saxophone) and Johnathan Blake (drums). Since moving...

A lot can be said about someone who has won an award that has only been given out twice, especially when the other winner was Jaco Pastorius. Nathan Watts, who has played in Stevie Wonder’s rhythm section for the last 36 years and has served as Stevie’s musical director for the last twelve, was awarded the International Bassist Award at...

The Manhattan School of Music and Let My Children Hear Music: The Charles Mingus Institute have come together again to announce the 2nd annual Charles Mingus Festival, to be held February 13 and 14 in NYC. Produced by Sue Mingus and Justin Dicioccio, the festival will include films, clinics, the hugely successful Charles Mingus High School Competition, and performances by...

The rockers in Black Rebel Motorcycle Club posted a message on their web site seeking help in tracking down some stolen gear, including a 1968 Ampeg Scrolltop fretless bass and a 1964 Black Fender Precision. The gear, which belonged to bassist/singer Robert Levon Been’s father, was taken out of band’s personal storage locker. Also taken was a Fender 1954 Esquire...

Larry Graham is back! The original bassist for Sly & The Family Stone and pioneer of the slap-thumb method of bass playing is taking his group, Graham Central Station, back on the road. Graham Central Station was formed in 1973 and performed together until 1979. Graham re-formed Graham Central Station after Sly and the Family Stone’s induction into the Rock...

If your dream is to become the next rock star, you might want to consider attending this year’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Los Angeles. The camp, now in its 12th year, allows musicians to jam with legendary rock stars and play major concert venues. This year, bassists Michael Anthony (Van Halen, Chickenfoot), Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead), and Rudy Sarzo...

We’re still digging up videos from NAMM here and there… Here’s Michael Manring, playing his Signature Bass at the Zon booth during NAMM 2010. Crank up your speakers a little, the audio is a little light.

The new Red Ripper Fuzz for bass from Tech 21 is more than your ordinary distortion box. It actually responds to the dynamics of your touch, so if you play harder you get more fuzz and higher harmonics, and if you play softer you get less fuzz and enhanced lower harmonics. Very nice for dynamic contrast. The Red Ripper’s “R.I.P.”...

Three years ago, keyboardist Alan Pasqua put together a band to honor drummer Tony Williams, who passed away. Pasqua recruited Yellowjackets bassist Jimmy Haslip along with drummer Chad Wackerman and guitarist Allan Holdsworth to the project, and the group recorded throughout their tour. Blues for Tony, originally released on DVD, is now available as a double CD. From the editorial...

Les Claypool has just updated his 2010 tour schedule to include some dates in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas in April: 4/19 at Stubb’s in Austin, TX 4/20 at House Of Blues in Houston, TX 4/21 at Lakewood Theatre in Dallas, TX 4/23 at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, OK 4/24 at The Village in Little Rock, AR Pre-sale tickets are available....

The debut recording for the Dave Holland Octet has been announced, with a release date of March 23, 2010. Pathways features Holland along with Chris Potter (tenor, soprano), Robin Eubanks (trombone), Steve Nelson (vibes, marimba), and Nate Smith (drums). Added to the front-line are other Holland collaborators Antonio Hart (alto saxophone), Alex Sipiagin (trumpet), and Gary Smulyan (baritone saxophone). The...

Jazz bassist Michael Janisch has just released his new album, Purpose Built on Whirlwind Recordings. This is his first album as a bandleader and features Aaron Goldberg (piano), Jim Hart (vibraphone), Jason Palmer (trumpet), Paul Booth (Tenor Saxophone), Mike Moreno (guitar), Patrick Cornelius (alto saxophone), Phil Robson (guitar), Walter Smith III (tenor saxophone), and Johnathan Blake (drums). Preview and download...