2020 Reader Favorites

We made it to #1. This one may surprise you, but there’s a very cool story here. The 2020 Reader Favorite Bassist is Juliaplaysgroove, thanks in large part to our interview with her in 2020.

Leland Sklar brought us joy this year during the shutdown, with a run of videos where he shared the back story on so many songs from his career. And if that wasn’t enough, he released a new album with The Immediate Family and published a new book.

Joe Dart has been a consistent favorite over the years, and 2020 was no different. Between his work with Vulfpeck, The Fearless Flyers, and Theo Katzman – as well as Ernie Ball Music Man reintroducing his signature bass – readers responded big.

Tony Levin had big things in the works this year before the shutdown. But that didn't stop the bassist from announcing a new book, a new Liquid Tension Experiment album, and more. Tony takes the #4 slot on this year’s “Reader Favorite Bassists” list.

This year, we finally got to hear Rebecca Johnson’s story, thanks to our interview with her. That, plus a steady dose of videos throughout 2020 placed her at #5 on the “2020 Reader Favorite Bassists” list.

Thundercat released his fourth album this year, had his bass featured as Bass of the Week, and entertained us with videos that show off not only his incredible musicianship but also his humor. He makes the “Reader Favorite” list at #6.

We first met MonoNeon at the 2010 NAMM Show. We didn’t know a lot about him or his music at the time, but once that changed, we were fans for life. MonoNeon had a busy year in 2020, and readers responded. That put him at #7 on this year’s list.

As with many of us, Les Claypool had big plans for 2020 but was forced to adjust. Readers were excited to hear about his “A Tribute to Kings” tour, which thankfully is now planned for 2021. Add in some videos, and a Fearless Flying Frog Brigade reissue, and Les lands on this year's list.

Marcus Miller is no stranger to the annual “Reader Favorite Bassists” list. This year, Marcus made the list thanks to some incredible videos, his work with Sire, and his participation in Nick Wells’s “Beneath the Bassline: Turned Up To 11”.

Over 8 years ago, we shared the first video by Dirty Loops. Readers – like us – were instant fans of the band and bassist Henrik Linder. This year saw more videos coming from the band, and a new album, which landed Henrik on this 2020 list.