Contrabass Conversations

I had a wonderful time chatting with Peabody Conservatory double bass faculty member Paul Johnson ! About Paul Johnson: Paul Johnson earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1980 from St. Olaf College in Northfield Minnesota before earning his Master of Music degree in 1986 at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University. A "Liberace Foundation Scholar" during his graduate years of study...

We're chatting today with Killer Walking Bass co-author and Mike Stern band member Teymur Phell ! About Teymur Phell: ​" Unbelievable bass player, both electric and upright… Great feel, amazing soloist, love playing with him! " - Mike Stern " A virtuoso, incredible musician! " - Arturo Sandoval Teymur is a virtuoso bassist, proficient in classical, upright jazz and electric bass styles. He graduat...

Today's "best of" episode features bassist and composer Miles Mosley ! About Miles Mosley: Throughout the years Mosley has written, composed, performed live, appeared in videos and recorded for various artists including Chris Cornell, Jonathan Davis, Everlast, Terrence Howard, Joni Mitchell, Lauryn Hill, Gnarls Barkley, Jeff Beck, Common, Christina Aguilera, Lesa Carlson, and Kamasi Washington. A...

This "best of" episode features a conversation with the fantastic Adam Ben Ezra ! About Adam Ben Ezra: Double-Bass phenomenon, multi-instrumentalist and online sensation Adam Ben Ezra; a man seemingly on a mission to bring his instrument from its status as a background note to the dominant front-presence it deserves. For the past few years Adam has been pushing his craft in new, exciting direction...

We're chatting about how to start a podcast on today's solo episode.   This episode is based on a series of articles that Jason published on Artshacker.com in 2016 and includes updates for today's newest publishing and editing tools. Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle! Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by: D'Addario Strings This episode is brought...

We're chatting with Eric Snoza of Fifth House Ensemble on today's episode.   Eric has built a remarkable career for himself as a chamber musician, educator, and entrepreneur, and we dig into the hows and whys of his journey. About Eric Snoza: Eric Snoza has been a double bass performer before he could even properly reach the fingerboard. He received his Bachelors and continuing Masters degrees fro...

We're chatting about the Pareto Principle and how Jason has focused on discovering those "hell yes" moments now that he is out in San Francisco building a new career. Blog post referenced: Unemployment Never Sounded So Sweet Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle! Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by: D'Addario Strings This episode is brought to you b...

We're chatting with violinist Nathan Cole on today's podcast.   Nathan is a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has just released a new podcast called Stand Partners for Life .   Nathan and his wife Akiko (also a member of the LA Phil) have all sorts of exciting plans for this new venture.  We dig into Nathan's journey through music, getting into tech, the motivations behind launching a pod...

This "best of" episode features a conversation with the always inspiring Leon Bosch ! About Leon Bosch: Leon Bosch has an honoured place among the select group of virtuoso double bass players worldwide. Concerto engagements in many parts of the world with the likes of conductors Pinchas Zukerman, Nicolas Kraemer, Nicolae Moldoveanu and Guido Johannes Rumstadt have been matched by collaborations wi...

Today's "best of" episode features Certified Music Practitioner Lloyd Goldstein . About Lloyd Goldstein: When Lloyd was in sixth grade he had a dream. He envisioned playing the double bass in such a way listening audiences would be emotionally moved. He played the double bass through high school, but was unprepared for college and as a result, dropped out. While attempting to cut wood on a table s...

Jason and D'Addario Orchestral social media manager (also a bassist!) Sabrina Brengel answer listener questions about strings on this special Q&A episode. Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle! Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by: Robertson & Sons Violins For more than four decades, Robertson & Sons has specialized in providing the highest quality s...

We take a look back at all the guests we've featured in 2017 on Contrabass Conversations plus thoughts for the future of the show.  Here's the list (in order of appearance): Adam Booker Jeff Bradetich Brandino Dan Styffe David Heyes Eric Steffens Kevin Brown Composed Documentary Ted Botsford Sean Perrin Bernard O'Neill Emilio Guarino Tracy Rowell Patrick Neher Audition Breakthrough Summit Enrico F...

I had a wonderful time talking with Kevin Smith for the podcast!  Kevin is Willie Nelson's bassist and has some of the best stories from the road that I've heard.  You'll love this conversation with Kevin--enjoy! About Kevin Smith: Currently on tour with Willie Nelson and Family, Smith has toured with High Noon, Ronnie Dawson, Dwight Yoakam and the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Smith received a Grammy n...

It was a pleasure to chat with Leigh Mesh for the podcast!  Leigh is the MET Orchestra Associate Principal Bass and teaches bass at Bard College.  This is a fun and wide-ranging conversation with a ton of great advice throughout. About Leigh Mesh: Leigh Mesh, Associate Principal Bass, joined the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in 1993. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, he has taught master...

In this conversation with recent Kansas City Symphony audition winner Nash Tomey , we dig into how Nash overcame a playing injury that threatened to derail his playing career.  This is an inspiring and honest conversation about something that many musicians struggle with during their careers! About Nash Tomey: Philadelphia native Nash Tomey joins the Kansas City Symphony beginning with the 2017/18...

It was a pleasure to chat with Anthony Manzo about his career as a chamber music double bassist, traveling with a bass (always an adventure!), the unique qualities of Anthony's bass, and much more. A special shout-out to Eric Roy of Upton Bass for connecting me with Anthony for this conversation! About Anthony Manzo: Anthony Manzo enjoys performing in a broad variety of musical forums - despite th...

I had such a great time spending a week with Diego at  Andrés Martin's bass festival  this fall.  Diego is one of the most inspiring double bassists I know, and he's doing great things for the double bass both in Spain and in his home country of Uruguay. About Diego Zecharies: Diego Zecharies is a highly dedicated professional musician who has mastered his art globally, branching out as recording...

Today we feature innovate French double bass luthier Patrick Charton .  Patrick has been turning heads with models like his B21, C21, and Suit-Bass  for many years, and it was great to chat with him about how he developed these unique models. About Patrick Charton: Patrick Charton's new instruments have attracted the attention of many soloists and musicians from French and foreign orchestras.  The...

It was a pleasure to meet  Carmen Rodríguez this past summer at the 2017 International Society of Bassists Convention!  She and I talk about growing up in Panama, the experience of coming to the United States to study, her professional ambitions, and much more! About Carmen Rodríguez: Carmen Liseth Rodríguez began her music studies in 2008 at the Instituto Nacional de Música in Panama. In 2016, sh...

Grammy Award-winning bassist and longtime Branford Marsalis collaborator Eric Revis joins Jason for today's deep-dive into growing up in California, being influenced by Parliament and prog rock, gut string explorations, and much more. A special shout-out to Eric Roy of Upton Bass for connecting me with Eric Revis for this conversation! About Eric Revis: One of the most talented and accomplished mu...

Today's conversation with Atlanta Symphony bassist Karl Fenner  is a deep-dive into auditioning, progress, long-term planning, and persevering through adversity.  There's a ton of advice that you can use to help with your preparation for any upcoming performance, audition, or high-stakes event! About Karl Fenner: Bassist Karl Fenner joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in January 2016. A native o...

Catalin Rotaru has just released a new album titled The Lord of The Basses .  This album features Catalin performing on Bottesini's famous 300-year-old Testore bass.  Catalin has also released another project this fall titled Sonic Bridges Vol. 2 . About Catalin Rotaru: Catalin Rotaru was born in Moldova, a province in the far northeast of Romania, in the same region where Romania's most celebrate...

I had a great time chatting with Susan Wulff for the podcast! Susan is Associate Principal Bass of the San Diego Symphony and is a longtime friend of mine.  She is an active Contemporary and Hip Hop dancer and loves to build things as well.  About Susan Wulff: Susan Wulff is the Associate Principal Bass with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a double Bachelor of...

Jack Unzicker and Jason Heath chat about all kinds of topics in today's episode.  This was recorded live at East Side Denton in Denton, Texas in September, 2017. Links to Check Out: Jack's website Jack's past Contrabass Conversations appearance Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle! Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:   D'Addario Strings This episo...

Hans Sturm and Jackie Allen have recently released Rose Fingered Dawn , an album of original compositions written by Hans.  Today's episode is a conversation with Hans about this new album along with excerpts of several selections. About The Album: Rose Fingered Dawn Ten tunes written for Jackie by Hans Sturm, performed by her working band and a three-horn section. John Moulder, guitars Tom Larson...