Contrabass Conversations

Hannah Marks is a bassist, composer, and educator living in New York City. She has performed at festivals including the Detroit Jazz Festival, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, and Kennedy Center, and currently leads an acoustic jazz quartet featuring NYC's most in-demand musicians. Hannah teaches at prestigious programs including Interlochen, Stanford Dance Workshop, and Jazz Camp West. In this episode, H...

In this episode, San Francisco Symphony Assistant Principal Bassist Stephen Tramontozzi joins Jason to talk about his new solo album Basso Antico . Alongside his orchestral work, Steve has built a wide‑ranging career as a soloist and educator. He has released a series of solo recordings, including Walkabout , Home Bass , Urban Bass , and Basso Novo . In this conversation, Steve shares the musical...

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Kubota , bassist and bandleader of the internationally acclaimed Postmodern Jukebox . Adam shares his musical journey—from studying bass with Barry Green to becoming a key figure in one of the most innovative ensembles reimagining modern pop hits with vintage flair. Enjoy, and be sure to give Adam a follow on Instagram ! Connect with DBHQ Join Our Newsletter...

In this inspiring episode, Stephanie Patterson returns to share a deeply personal journey of resilience and adaptation. After experiencing serious health challenges that made it impossible to continue playing the double bass, Stephanie made the courageous decision to return to the viola—an instrument she hadn't played in over 50 years. This conversation explores the physical demands of playing lar...

In this episode, we dive deep into the creation of Memoirs in Time, a groundbreaking new bass concerto with composer J im Beckel and Indianapolis Symphony Principal Bassist JuFang Liu . This commission represents a significant addition to the bass repertoire and showcases the incredible versatility of the double bass. Watch the world premiere performance with full orchestra of "Memoirs in Time: Co...

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Camacho , a double bassist, tango composer, and ethnomusicologist originally from Buenos Aires and now based in Austin, Texas. Laura shares her fascinating journey from performing with the ensemble Las del Abasto in Argentina—including opening for tango legend Mariano Mores—to pursuing a PhD in ethnomusicology at the University of Texas at Austin. We dive de...

Join us for a conversation with Spanish double bassist Uxía Martínez Botana , who shares her journey from facing skepticism as a woman in classical music to becoming a celebrated soloist, chamber musician, and educator. Based in Amsterdam, she tours internationally with ensembles like the Budapest Festival Orchestra and Sol Gabetta's baroque ensemble, and is the first female double bass professor...

In this episode, Gary Upton , the founder of Upton Bass , joins us for an in-depth conversation about the craftsmanship, innovation, and business of building double basses.  We explore a wide range of topics including the growing popularity of 5/8-sized basses, the development of Kay-inspired plywood models, the economics of bass-making, and Upton's ventures into creating strings, amplifiers, and...

In this episode, we sit down with Edmonton-based jazz bassist and composer Aretha Tillotson to discuss her highly anticipated second album, Kinda Out West , releasing on November 7th, 2025. Following her Western Canadian Music Award-winning debut, Introducing Aretha Tillotson , this new album pays tribute to the musicians and landscapes of Alberta and British Columbia. Aretha's chordless quartet c...

In this episode, we sit down with Andy Anderson , the newly appointed Clinical Assistant Professor of Double Bass at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign . With over two decades of experience performing with some of Chicago's most prestigious ensembles, Andy brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to his teaching role. Enjoy, and check out Andy's past podcast appearances here . Connect wit...

In this episode, renowned bassist and educator Gaelen McCormick joins us to discuss her newly released annotated edition of Franz Simandl's 30 Etudes, published by Carl Fischer . For over a century, these etudes have been a cornerstone of double bass pedagogy. Gaelen's fresh annotations bring new insights and perspectives to this essential collection. Check out Gaelen's past podcast appearances he...

In this episode, we chat with Darren Sacks , a double bass audition coach, UMass Boston Associate Lecturer, and Greater Boston freelance bassist, to discuss winning strategies for double bass auditions. Darren shares insights from his 9 years of coaching experience, during which he's helped students gain acceptance into major youth orchestras like the Boston Youth Symphony (BYSO) and NEC Prep, sum...

In this episode, Jason Heath interviews Rodney Slatford. Rodney is joined by his friend Mike Coombs, who helped facilitate this conversation. Together, they explore Rodney's remarkable career as a performer, educator, publisher, and advocate for the double bass. As founding Chairman of the Yorke Trust, Rodney Slatford has established himself as a renowned double bass player and teacher. His career...

Tim Rinehart is the Principal Double Bassist of the Oregon Symphony. A graduate of Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, Tim studied with Paul Ellison while also earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He is the winner of the 2025 International Society of Bassists Orchestral Division Competition and has performed with numerous prestigious orchestras including the Boston Symphony, Londo...

In this episode, we speak with composer and flutist Dr. Sarah Bassingthwaighte about her groundbreaking Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra, recently recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra with soloist Stephen Schermer . We dig into Sarah's approach to composition, the experience of writing this piece, balancing a solo bass with a full orchestra, and much more. Enjoy, and check out the sheet...

In this episode, Charles Gambetta introduces his innovative bass position system that addresses traditional limitations in fingerboard comprehension. His method combines Roman numerals with Arabic numbers to provide contextual information that enhances physical and mental connections during play. Charles explains how starting students at the 'primary lock' position and focusing on finger placement...

Winston "Jack" Budrow, former ISB board member, passed away on September 4, 2024, at age 79 after a brief hospice stay. Jack retired from Michigan State University's College of Music, where he served as professor of double bass and co-chair of the string area. His distinguished career encompassed both performance and teaching, including positions with the Houston Symphony and as principal bass in...

In this episode, we're joined by Gaelen McCormick , President of the International Society of Bassists , to discuss her groundbreaking book Teaching Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass: Historical and Modern Pedagogical Practices , co-authored with Dijana Ihas and Miranda Wilson. Gaelen shares insights on the historical development of bass pedagogy and how teaching methods have evolved over cent...

In today's episode, Trevor Jones and Jason explore the joys and terrors of subbing in the high-stakes world of musical theater. Read the transcription of this interview with other helpful links and resources. Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!   Connect with us all things double bass double bass merch double bass sheet music   Thank you to our sponsor!...

In this episode, my wife, Courtney, and I share our exciting experiences from the recent Biarritz International Bass Academy in the beautiful coastal town of Biarritz, France. We discuss the unique atmosphere of this bass event and explore why gatherings like this are invaluable for musicians at all levels. Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!   Connect...

In this special episode, Jason Heath shares three personal memories of the legendary double bassist Gary Karr, who passed away this summer. Gary Karr was widely regarded as the world's leading solo bassist who elevated the double bass as a solo instrument during his illustrious career.   Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!   Connect with us all things d...

In this episode, we're joined by UK-based double bassist Olie Brice , a prominent voice in the world of free jazz and improvised music. Olie shares his musical journey, practice approaches, and experiences as a touring bassist working with renowned artists like Evan Parker and Tony Malaby. This episode offers valuable insights for bassists interested in improvised music, as well as listeners curio...

In this episode, we welcome back David Cutler to discuss his new book, " The Savvy Musician 2.0: Amplifying Impact, Income, & Inspiration " (Oxford University Press, July 2025). David shares insights from this comprehensive resource on music careers and entrepreneurship, featuring over 150 case studies of diverse performers, creators, educators, and institutions. Episode Highlights: Evolution from...

This episode features a conversation with Renée-Paule Gauthier , host of the "Mind Over Finger" podcast and a successful violinist who recently won a position in the Lyric Opera of Chicago. We reminisce about past interactions and discuss the power of podcasting and coaching in providing continuous learning and personal growth. Renée shares her journey of integrating disciplined scheduling into he...

In this episode, we speak with acclaimed double bassist James VanDemark about his remarkable musical journey to Ukraine, where he recently premiered two new works with the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Theodore Kuchar. We discuss the commissioning and premiering of two new concerti by Ukrainian composers Maksim Kolomiiets and Mykhailo Shved as part of Lviv's 44th Virtuosos I...