News - Page 411

Bassist Alex Bershadsky has released his latest solo effort, Anonymous. The 8-track album is full of Bershadsky’s fusion compositions, with heavy influences from jazz, funk, and R&B. The final two tracks are his arrangements of the traditional song “Ma’oz Tzur,” on which he plays solo bass, and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The band on the album proves its versatility...

As we reported back in March, the original members of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones have reunited to record Rocket Science, released today. Pianist/harmonica player Howard Levy returned to the group for the first time since 1991, with bassist Victor Wooten, percussionist/drummer Roy “Futureman” Wooten and banjoist and leader Bela Fleck. The group wanted to avoid doing the “reunion thing”,...

Peter Hook’s The Light has released their debut 4-track EP on the bassist’s Hacienda Records label. 1102/2011 includes the group covering classic Joy Division songs, including a first ever recording of the previously unfinished song “Pictures in My Mind.” The song was discovered on a recovered rehearsal tape stolen from the band in 1977. Hook, who was the original Joy...

Organizers for The Rocky Mountain Bass Slam have announced their next event will be held on Saturday, May 21st in Boulder, Colorado. The event is “a celebration of Colorado Bass Talent of all styles”, and will feature headliners/clinicians Chuck Rainey, Doug Johns, Bryan Beller and Kai Eckhart. The clinicians will demonstrate various groove and rhythm techniques, offer advice on practicing...

Gov’t Mule frontman Warren Haynes has released a new soulful solo album, Man in Motion. For the project, Haynes explains he made a “wishlist” of band members, including the Meters’ George Porter Jr. on bass. The legendary New Orleans bassist’s groove permeates the album’s 10 soul-laden tracks, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the group. Besides the Meters...

Guitarist Steve Khan has released his latest effort, Parting Shot, a percussion-driven album recorded with the help of bassist Anthony Jackson. Khan, who began his musical career in the 70’s, formed a quartet in 1981 dubbed “Eyewitness”, including himself, Jackson on bass, Manolo Badrena on percussion and Steve Jordan on drums. This recording features the latest line-up for Eyewitness, with...

JaMuzic New York is presenting BassBreak Live! this year on May 14th in Falls Church, Virginia. The event is a day of bass-centric activities including performances, clinics and giveaways. Instructors include Adam Nitti, Ace Livingston, Bryan Beller, Terrance Palmer, and David Dyson, who will all give lectures between one and two hours. Pavel de la Fuente of Pavel Musical Instruments...

Soundgarden has unveiled their full summer 2011 tour dates, which are set to span the US and Canada. Anchored by bass hero Ben Shepherd, the band will be joined by Coheed and Cambria, The Mars Volta, Queens of the Stone Age, Mastodon, and the Meat Puppets. Soundgarden reformed early last year after a 13-year split. Besides a “best of” album,...

Hal Leonard’s 38th book in their Bass Play-Along series, Bob Marley: Bass Play-Along, features eight songs by the legendary singer/songwriter. Each song is presented in tab format. The book ships with an accompanying CD, which can be played in any CD player. The CD also runs on Windows and mac, allowing the player to adjust the recording’s tempo without changing...

Marcus Miller is holding a special concert to benefit Japanese Tsunami relief efforts. The event, to be held at New York City’s Highline Ballroom on May 15 at 7:30pm, features a host of talent, including performances by Raheem DeVaughn, Robert Glasper, Sean Jones, Angélique Kidjo, Gregoire Maret, Raul Midon, Q-Tip, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Kaoru Watanabe, Louis Cato, Alex Han, Federico...

Nikki Sixx and his band Sixx: A.M. have just released This Is Gonna Hurt, the album that accompanies his latest book of the same title. The release is a follow-up to 2007’s Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, which peaked at 62 on the Billboard 100. Joined by the Motley Crue bassist, Sixx: A.M. is rounded out by James Michael and DJ Ashba....

Esperanza Spalding is scheduled to open Prince’s tour on Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7, as part of Prince’s residency-style “Welcome 2 America” tour. The tour is a 21-date event in Los Angeles that began on April 14th at the Forum. Spalding has recruited keyboardist Raymond Angry, saxophonist Joe Lovano, guitarist Jef Lee Johnson and drummer Terri Lynne Carrington...