Contrabass Conversations

Today's episode is an audio rebroadcast for our 10,000 YouTube subscribers celebration from December 3, 2021.   Enjoy, and thanks to John Grillo , Paul Thompson , Valentina Ciardelli , and Geoff Chalmers for joining me! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.   Listen to Cont...

Orin O'Brien has retired from playing after an unparalleled 65-year career combined in the NY Philharmonic and the NYC Ballet.   To celebrate her remarkable career, we're re-releasing this epic two-hour conversation with Orin from 2017. Enjoy, and check out the original show notes for links to the many topics we dig into! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatica...

My Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course with Discover Double Bass featured compositions from seven of the most exciting composers writing for double bass. In this episode, we talk with the composers about writing for double bass and the stories behind the pieces they wrote for this course.   Enjoy, and be sure to check out these seven great composers through these links: Mason Bynes Dani...

Molly Sharp has written a book for bassists titled Making Double Stops Ring: a guided exploration of Just Intonation .   In this episode, we catch up with Molly and her many activities and dive into a discussion of what Just Intonation is and how it can help to level up your intonation abilities.   Enjoy! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!   Check out...

Allan Jay Santos recently started a new podcast titled Touching Greatness .   We talk about the inspiration for this podcast, Allan's work as a coach to entrepreneurs and artists, the many things that have transpired since our first podcast together in 2016 , and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out the Touching Greatness podcast and follow Allan on Facebook , Instagram , and his email newsl...

Stephen Tramontozzi has recently released a new album titled Home Bass.   We talk about the concept behind this new album, how this project differed from his first album Walkabout , picking repertoire, his "album a year" project, and much more. Enjoy, and check out this new album from Steve on Spotify , Apple Music , and his website ! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to y...

Peter Seymour is the co-founder of PROJECT Trio and recently joined the double bass faculty of the Longy School of Music of Bard College .   We talk about Peter's approach to bass teaching, how he prepares students for a diverse set of career options, his journey through the music world, his Carnival of the Animals "pandemic project," and much more.   You can also find Peter's past appearances on...

Nicole Melrose is the founder of StringRise and has created the world's first buildable Bass Kit for students .   We talk about the story behind these kits, her video with Kate Jones demonstrating how it works, providing access to the bass for more students, and much more.   Be sure to check out the StringRise website to learn more, and be sure to give them a follow on Instagram , Facebook , and Y...

Cole Davis recently released a solo bass album titled Contrabass .   He won the Ron Carter Bass Competition in 2017 and was named a "Future Jazz Master" by the National Endowment of the Arts in 2018.   We talk about this new album, Cole's journey through the jazz world , his impressive artistic output, and much more.   Cole also has a course titled Innovative Thumb Position Techniques and has many...

Alberto Bocini recently released Mi caro Bottesini with pianist Alessandra Ammara.   We talk about this new album, the history of The Bass Gang , Alberto's plans for a tour with Ottava Imports , and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Alberto's new album on Spotify and Apple Music ! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!   Check out our Online Sheet...

Andrew Arceci joins us again on the show, this time to discuss the experience of leading an early music ensemble from the bass, viol, and violone.   We talk about this and much more on this "round two" podcast. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Arcadia Players for more information on Andrew's projects! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!   Check out our O...

Michael T. Geib recently recorded two new albums for Onyx Lane : a historically informed recording of Dragonetti's 12 Waltzes for Solo Double Bass and a jazz album titled Not As They Seem.   We talk about what it was like putting these two albums together, what the recording process can teach you about your playing, and much more.   Enjoy, and be sure to check out Michael's website and his Univers...

Noëlle Marty recently hiked 2100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, going from Tehachapi, California to Canada in 117 days and going through 5 pairs of shoes.   We talk about what it was like doing this and more in today's inspiring episode. Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 250+ wide-ranging titles for bassi...

The Ultimate Music Business Summit will be taking place January 6-8, 2022.   We talk with event coordinators Dr. Garrett Hope , Dr. Heidi Kay Begay , and Arthur Breur about the story behind the summit and what to expect in 2022.   Learn more here , and I hope you can join us! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!   Check out our Online Sheet Music Store w...

Today's episode features Compton College professor Harvey Estrada and Grammy award-winning bassist Kevin "Brandino" Brandon on the topic of five-string basses.   We also dig into the Los Angeles bass scene history and go down many other paths in today's spirited chat. Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!   Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+...

Kevin "Brandino" Brandon is an Eastman artist and winner of multiple Grammy awards.   He is also a longtime five-string bass player, and we dig into that topic and many more in today's episode. Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.   Listen to Contrabass Conversations with...

100% true story!   You can check out the YouTube video for some visuals as well.   Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!   Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.   Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle . Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and I ntermediate t...

Andrés Martín 's Signature Edition double basses are now available through Eastman !   We go behind the scenes with Andrés on the experience of making these basses today. Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.   Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, A...

Elsen Price recently released a new album titled Gastronomy Astrology , which features some of Australia's leading jazz players.   We talk about this latest album and much more in this third interview with Elsen.   Enjoy!   Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!   Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.   Listen t...

Marek Romanowski recently released his first CD.   Titled Contemporary Sonatas for double bass and piano , this release features music by Sofia Gubaidulina, Lowell Liebermann, and Frank Proto. We talk about how he chose the pieces for this release, how the pandemic has been for Marek, plans for the future, and much more.   Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Marek on his website , Facebook , a...

We're reconnecting with Stephanie Patterson today.   Stephanie specializes in teaching adult learners and was featured on the podcast in 2019 , and we dig into what she has learned about teaching adults over the past few years.   We dig into pandemic teaching, lessons, learned through teaching many adults, and much more. If this resonates with you and you'd like to learn more, you can reach out to...

Marc Johnson recently released Overpass , his first solo double bass album.   We talk about the process behind putting this album together, Marc's path through the music world, reflections on his time with Bill Evans, his longtime collaboration with   Eliane Elias , and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Overpass on the ECM website , Spotify , Apple Music , or wherever you listen to music!...

Micah Howard teaches at Carnegie Mellon University , which is one of the nation's leading programs for double bass study.   CMU has recently come on board as a podcast sponsor, and Micah chats about the benefits of the program and what it's like studying at CMU in this sponsored episode.   Enjoy, and you can click here to visit Micah's website and sign up for a free online trial lesson.   Subscrib...

Valentina Ciardelli is now teaching at the London Performing Academy of Music and is accepting applications through the end of September, including scholarship opportunities.   You can visit this link to apply and learn more through this PDF .     This is a great opportunity to study with one of the most innovative bassists active today.   Check it out , and be sure to also follow Valentina on her...

Canadian-born bassist and composer Michael Bates has had a multifaceted career in the jazz world.   Michael and I connected in person during the 2021 Wabass Institute , and it was great to spend some time digging into his musical path in this follow-up interview. We talk about what the pandemic has been like for Michael, his path from hardcore music bassist into jazz, the big influence of the Banf...