Contrabass Conversations

Join Barry Green, Frank Proto, Debbie Taylor, and special guest Maggie Cox at their Bass Club Cincinnati live event honoring Francois Rabbath. This episode includes Zoom tributes from Gary Karr, Paul Ellison, Hal Robinson, Dennis Trembly, Patrick Neher, Johnny Hamil, and many more. This episode also includes live performances from: Renaud Garcia-Fons Sandor Ostlund Tracy Rowell Etienne Lafrance Ni...

Today's episode features Brazilian bassist and educator Alexandre Piazza .   Alexandre was a bass teacher Saarbrücken, Germany and has a YouTube Channel with lessons on how to play acoustic and electric bass, equipment reviews, and videos about his life as a musician and music teacher in Germany and Brazil.   We dig into his experiences studying and teaching in Germany, the inspiration for his You...

In today's episode, Yuka Tadano shares her musical journey. Starting with her current gigs, including a new Broadway show, "Swept Away," and preparing for a cast album of "Suffs," she reflects on her extensive experience in musical theater.   Yuka discusses her involvement in several productions, including the Neil Diamond show "Beautiful Noise." She also touches on her passion for jazz, her educa...

This episode is an in-depth and inspiring conversation with 2022 Sphinx Competition winner Kebra-Seyoun Charles (they/them), a classical bassist and composer renowned for overcoming barriers and diversifying the landscape of classical music.   As a modern virtuoso and composer of concerti, ballets, and pop ballads, Kebra's music has been praised for its "buoyancy and verve — pushing the far reache...

We take a look back at 2024 and discuss plans for 2025 in today's episode.   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! Upton Bass  - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each  Upton Bas...

In this episode, acclaimed double bassist, composer, and arranger Sidney King discusses his busy fall filled with outreach events, master classes, and student recitals at the University of Louisville .  Sidney highlights his collaborations, notably with flamenco guitarist Gareth Jones, and shares insights into his compositions for orchestras, educational groups, and church services.  He emphasizes...

In this episode, Roberto Cassani shares his journey into the world of improvised music and his latest project Music for the purpose of Joy , which provides group music sessions to children, young people and adults based on his improvisational approach. Initially focused on mastering his instrument and securing gigs, Roberto discovered a profound sense of joy and connection through improvisation. H...

In this episode, New York Philharmonic principal bassist Tim Cobb discusses his journey from growing up in Albany with a musically gifted family to his renowned career in the New York Philharmonic. Tim shares personal anecdotes about his father's influence, his early experiences in Albany's vibrant music scene, and his tenure at the Metropolitan Opera. He reflects on his time studying with Roger S...

In this episode, I chat with Szymon Marciniak about his newly released album ' Lost Beauty: Music for Double-Bass by František Hertl and Contemporaries .' Szymon shares the recording process, the repertoire's significance, and his experience using gut strings. We discuss the challenges and inspirations behind the project, including the role of early 20th-century performance practices. The episode...

In this conversation, Petru Iuga , a renowned Romanian double bassist, discusses his experiences during the pandemic, his contributions to the ToneBase platform, and the development of the ErgoBass, a product designed to enhance bass playing ergonomics. He reflects on his musical journey, incorporating elements of martial arts into his musical practice, and the impact of physics and mindfulness in...

In this episode, Emilse Rios recounts her journey from studying music at the José Luis Paz Music Conservatory in Venezuela to balancing her academic pursuits in sociology at La Universidad del Zulia. Emilse talks about the challenges and cultural richness of moving to Buenos Aires, her experiences as one of the few female double bass players, and the influence of her sociology background on teachi...

In this episode, the conversation explores the development and launch of Matt Rybicki 's new online jazz bass course, JAZZ BASS 101 , which aims to deepen participants' understanding of fundamental jazz concepts through innovative teaching methods. Rybicki shares the inspiration behind the course, stemming from his 26 years in New York City and his experience in the Juilliard Jazz program. He disc...

Today's episode features Brian Powell , double bass faculty at the Frost School of Music , discussing his recently released album, ' Suite Italienne Double Bass and Piano. ' This album marks the first full arrangement and recording of Igor Stravinsky's Suite Italienne for double bass and piano, approved by Stravinsky's estate and published by Boosey & Hawkes .  It features 8 movements, incorporati...

In this conversation, Nate Sabat , a bassist, singer-songwriter, and arranger based in Brooklyn, NY, discusses his musical journey from joining the Young People's Chorus in New York City to exploring the role of bass in folk and bluegrass music. Nate talks about his inspirations, including Edgar Meyer, and the influences that shaped his debut album, ' Bass Fiddler '. He shares insights into his ed...

In this episode, double bass performer and educator Lauren Pierce delves into the inspiration and development of her new book on intonation titled 'Please Play in Tune.' She shares her personal journey and challenges in tackling the daunting topic! We explore the concepts of ear, technique, and response as key elements in mastering intonation. Lauren covers the importance of making intonation a fu...

In this episode, Jason Heath and Trevor Jones discuss the financial challenges and strategies for young musicians. They draw parallels between financial management and scheduling, emphasizing the importance of planning for unexpected expenses. They share personal experiences from their early freelance careers, highlight the significance of building financial habits, and explore achieving financial...

In this episode, we chat with Ali Watson , a Glasgow-based bassist, who is set to release his debut album, 'Terrarium,' on November 26th. Ali shares his experiences from studying jazz at the Guildhall in London and contrasts it with Glasgow's smaller but thriving jazz scene. He reflects on his musical influences, the process of creating his album, and the unique jazz community in Scotland. We also...

In this episode, Aidan Plank shares his unique journey from attempting nursing school and working with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to becoming a dedicated bassist and educator. Aidan recently joined the music faculty at Bowling Green State University . He discusses his transition from biology to music, the influence of early mentors, and his experiences teaching and playing jazz. Aida...

In this episode, Daniel Chiva Sanz shares his journey of mastering musical auditions by focusing on technical precision and intonation. Two years ago, after a failed audition at the Seattle Symphony, he realized that his practice method needed restructuring. The result is ' The School of Patience ,' an exercise series that develops the intonational security required to develop a professional level...

Today's episode dives into the multifaceted career of bassist and pianist Ernst Glerum , focusing on his recent piano-bass album Détaché . We delve into Ernst's use of gut strings on his mid-19th-century English bass and his shift to a mix including Pirastro Olive strings. Ernst shares his compositional process, the technical challenges and expressive nuances of playing with gut strings versus ste...

photo credit: Marco Borggreve This episode features a conversation with Sasha Witteveen , who recently released her debut album titled ' …Into the Light .' We dig into the creative process behind the album, upcoming concerts, including her upcoming Concertgebouw recital featuring the 'Alice in Wonderland Suite' and Bottesini pieces with a mix of visual elements like stage lights and props. We also...

Giuseppe Bottiglieri 's musical journey spans from his early years in Naples, Italy, where he transitioned from guitar to double bass, to his career development playing on cruise ships and exploring jazz and contemporary music. Currently based in Berlin, Bottiglieri focuses on solo bass performances and experiments with electronics, drawing inspiration from various sources, including visual arts....

In this engaging conversation, Mark Morton shares updates on his well-known educational series for bass, including revisions to his study books on scales, arpeggios, and technical exercises. We reflect on the evolution of bass pedagogy, the influence of past mentors, and the importance of making instructional materials accessible. We also delve into the bass community's rich history and the joys o...

Join Brendan Fitzgerald, Assistant Principal Double Bass for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra , as he shares his comprehensive approach to preparing for and succeeding in orchestra auditions. From practicing at half tempo and balancing practice with a full-time job to managing nerves with beta-blockers, Brendan covers all aspects of his preparation process. Learn how to handle the audition day, ma...

In this episode, Pascale Delache Feldman , Emmanuel Feldman , and Victor Cayres discuss their newly released tango album, ' Let's Tango .' The conversation dives into the intricacies of tango music, its cultural roots, and the creative process behind their collaboration. With stories about their musical journeys, unique tango techniques, and the joy of performing live, this episode offers a rich l...