News - Page 405

Jamey Aebersold’s latest edition to their bass method library focuses on the importance of scale mastery for electric bassists. Diatonic Major And Minor Scales For Electric Bass includes both major and minor scale exercises, designed to help bassists develop new and creative lines, while learning the entire fretboard and improving technique. The exercises require full use of the thumb and...

Victor Wooten has released A Show of Hands 15, a re-mastered version of his groundbreaking debut solo effort. In addition to 16 original tracks, the 15th anniversary record also includes three bonus songs: two with longtime drummer JD Blair and one unedited tune entitled “Live Solo #2.” The package is available in several varieties, including signed copies and vinyl LP’s,...

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of Weather Report, by Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter. To help celebrate, the Zawinul estate is releasing Weather Report: Live in Berlin 1975, a comprehensive box set featuring the group’s performance at 1975 Jazzstage Berlin. The CD/DVD set features Weather Report’s 1975 line-up, with Alphonso Johnson on bass, drummer Chester Thompson...

Les Claypool and Primus have announced a new spring U.S. tour in support of their upcoming album, the band’s first studio release in 11 years. “The album will come out in late spring/early summer,” an update from the band explains, “so expect to hear a whole batch of new songs this tour.” The trek will focus on taking the trio...

Stuart Clayton has released his latest bass method book, The Bass Player’s Guide to Scales & Modes, through his Bassline Publishing company. The Bass Player’s Guide to Scales & Modes is a thorough reference manual featuring all the scales, modes and arpeggios, from construction to recommended fretboard patterns. “[This] is a book that I have written in response to teaching...

Chris Tarry has released his latest project, Rest of the Story, a multi-media composition including a 100 page book and CD. The Canadian-born jazz bassist is also a writer, and the book includes his short stories as well as unique art. That’s not to say the music is a side-note, as the nine-track album is full of Tarry’s original compositions....

Jack Bruce and the Cuicoland Express’s Live at the Milky Way has been released by EMI and is now available worldwide. The 2-disc album comes from a 2001 performance at The Melkweg in Amsterdam. Bruce’s band, the Cuicoland Express, included guitarist Vernon Reid, Bernie Worrell on organ, drummers Robby Ameen and Horacio Hernandez, and Richie Flores on Congas. Hardcore Jack...

South African rockers Seether have announced an extensive spring tour schedule spanning the U.S. East Coast and Midwest. The trek comes in support of their upcoming album, Holding on to Strings Better Left to Fray, available May 24. Bassist Dale Stewart explains the new record mixes it up by featuring writing contributions from the whole group, but still has the...

The jam masters in Phish have announced a string of summer tour dates spanning the East Coast, starting in Bethel, New York and snaking down to Georgia before finishing up at Portsmouth, Virginia’s Ntelos Wireless Pavilion. The tour will come hot on the heels of bassist Mike Gordon’s solo tour, which wraps up in late March. The tour is a...

After appearing on a couple dates of Prince’s “Welcome 2 America” tour, Larry Graham has announced a string of initial US concerts for his band, Graham Central Station. Though the calendar only includes six dates, the slap bass pioneer posted on his website, sharing the “Funk Around the World” Tour will soon include more shows, including stops at cities around...

Tower of Power, the powerhouse funk and soul band anchored by bassist and original member Rocco Prestia is releasing their long-anticipated 40th Anniversary concert footage. The two disc (CD and DVD) release features the band performing live at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, recorded in October, 2008. The DVD includes bonus footage, including the “East Bay Tour”, with original...

Alligator Records is celebrating its 40th anniversary by releasing a special 2-disc set showcasing the Chicago-based blues label’s past and present talents, ranging from Koko Taylor to Tinsley Ellis. The 38-track collection is a chockfull of great bass grooves and tones, including the songs “Daddy Pinocchio” by William Clarke, “You Can’t Judge a Book By The Cover” by Roy Buchanan,...