Guitar and Bass Conversations

I was especially excited when the Buena Vista Social Club documentary was released in 1999. As a longtime fan of Cuban music, I was immediately drawn to the incredible musicians, the music, and the story behind the project. Needless to say, I bought the album, and soon found myself picking up several other recordings connected to the Buena Vista Social Club phenomenon. So when I heard that a Broad...

In January 2024, I had the great opportunity to sit down with Jeff Pilson, bassist, vocalist, and musical director for Foreigner ( You can check out that interview here ). Now, just over two years later, a lot has happened. From the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024 to presently celebrating their 50th anniversary, Foreigner continues to prove why their legacy endures. I...

In this JGT podcast, Bob Bakert talks guitarist Fareed Haque. Go to jazzguitartoday.com  and bassmusicianmagazine.com  more interviews and lessons.

Few musicians have shaped the voice of the electric bass as profoundly as Steve Swallow. A true innovator whose career spans more than six decades, Swallow continues to inspire generations of bassists with his unmistakable sound, boundless creativity, and unwavering passion for music. Many of you may remember our conversation from July 2020 .  Now, at 85 years young, Steve returns to discuss his l...

Adam Russell, bassist for Story of the Year, hasn’t slowed down for a second. With the band’s latest album A.R.S.O.N. dropping on February 13, 2026, they’ve not only delivered new music but also pushed their creativity further through a series of visually striking videos, several of which Adam himself co-directed and edited. In this interview, we dive into the making of the new record, explore how...

Today, we’re joined by one of hard rock’s most accomplished bassists, Johnny Martin of L.A. Guns . Since joining the band in 2016, Johnny has helped drive the group’s modern resurgence, bringing powerhouse musicianship and unmistakable stage presence to both the studio and the concert stage. We’ll be talking about the band’s explosive new live release, Live From the Guild Theater , recorded during...

When I heard that American Vanity, formerly known as Burn the Jukebox, was gearing up to release a new album this summer, it felt like the perfect moment to catch up with bassist and vocalist Virginia Franks. With a fresh name unveiled just this past January and a clear shift in musical direction, the band is entering an exciting new chapter, one defined by both sonic evolution and a deeper, more...

For more than six decades, the sound of the upright bass in modern jazz has carried the unmistakable authority, elegance, and intelligence of Ron Carter . Recognized as the most recorded jazz bassist in history, Maestro Carter’s tone has become part of the very architecture of the genre. From shaping the harmonic foundation behind countless landmark sessions to collaborating with many of the great...

A versatile guitarist and harmonica player, Pat’s style incorporates jazz, blues, rock, and fingerstyle guitar.  He is known for his session and touring work with a variety of artists. He has recorded with Lyle Lovett, Alison Krauss, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Dolly Parton, Peter Frampton, Michael McDonald, Tommy Emmanuel, Suzy Bogguss, Bill Evans, Benny Golson, Joey DeFrancesco, and many others.  H...

Go to jazzguitartoday.com  and bassmusicianmagazine.com  more interviews and lessons.

Me encanta ponerme al día con nuestros bajistas de América Latina, y me da muchísimo gusto volver a presentarles al talentoso bajista chileno Daniel Gazmuri . La última vez que conversamos fue en 2022, cuando nos compartió las novedades de su carrera y sus proyectos musicales. Desde entonces, Daniel ha continuado creciendo como artista, compositor y educador, consolidando una propuesta que fusiona...

Get ready for a conversation with one of Southern rock’s enduring forces, Tim Neilsen. For over 35 years, Drivin N Cryin has been delivering a powerful blend of grit, melody, and heart, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon. With their brand-new album “Crushing Flowers” set to drop on April 10th, the band is gearing up for another exciting chapter. At the core of that signature sound is bassis...

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been chatting with George Gekas, bassist for The Revivalists, for more than a decade. Over the years, we’ve connected during some of the band’s biggest moments, and now they’re preparing to release their sixth full-length studio album, Get It Honest , on July 24, making it the perfect time for another conversation. Join me as we dive into the making of the new album,...

Back in May 2021, I had the pleasure of speaking with a talented nine-year-old bassist named Ellen Alaverdyan, who was just beginning to make waves in the music world ( View Interview ). Even then, her passion, dedication, and remarkable talent hinted at a bright future ahead. Today, I’m excited to welcome Ellen back, along with her father, professional guitarist Hovak Alaverdyan, following the re...

Jazz Guitar Today's Bob Bakert talks to Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill about their new book, Blow By Blow, The Jeff Beck Story. Laugh Love Law Real conversations. Real people. Real impact. A podcast about life, law and... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Go to jazzguitartoday.com  and bassmusicianmagazine.com  more interviews and lessons.

Guitarist David Becker talks to JGT's Bob Bakert about his latest project, Planets 2026. Laugh Love Law Real conversations. Real people. Real impact. A podcast about life, law and... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Go to jazzguitartoday.com  and bassmusicianmagazine.com  more interviews and lessons.

Giuseppe Continenza is widely regarded as one of the most active and respected guitarists on the Italian and European jazz scene. He began his musical studies with classical training at the Academy in Pescara, Italy, before continuing his jazz education at the renowned Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. Based in Pescara, he performs regularly alongside Biréli Lagrène and continues to bu...

Originally from Panama, bassist Alex Blake arrived in the United States at a young age and, under the guidance of his father, found his lifelong voice in the bass. What began as an early immersion in Latin music grew into a career that has now spanned more than 45 years of exploration, evolution, and excellence. As opportunities expanded, so did Blake’s musical reach. His journey has taken him acr...

Since 2012, Tom Doyle has been holding down the low end for UK alt-rock heavyweights Don Broco , helping to shape the band’s groove-driven, genre-blurring sound into one of the most distinctive in modern British rock. With thunderous tone, razor-sharp precision, and an instinct for hooks that hit just as hard as the riffs, Doyle has become a crucial force behind the band’s ever-evolving sonic iden...

For decades, we’ve had the privilege of following the remarkable career of Nathan East, listening closely to his albums, tracking his milestones with Yamaha Instruments, and watching his evolving partnership with Laney Amplification with great interest. Along the way, we’ve talked gear, tone, and technique, while hearing his unmistakable musical “voice” woven into the work of more iconic artists t...

Few musicians can claim they were present at the birth of the electric bass, and even fewer can say they helped shape what came next.  Leo Lyons has been playing bass for more than half a century, standing at the crossroads of innovation and influence as rock music found its voice. From the explosive blues-rock of Ten Years After, to later projects such as Hundred Seventy Split, Lyons has been a c...

For nearly seventeen years, we’ve followed the ever-evolving journey of bassist Cheikh Ndoye, watching with admiration as his musical vision continues to deepen and expand. Each project has revealed a restless curiosity and a commitment to sound that resists easy categorization. When we last spoke in 2018, Ndoye was already hinting at new directions, and he hasn’t slowed down since. In the years t...

For more than four decades, British bassist Richard Vernon has been a quietly formidable presence in rock music. Cutting his teeth on the UK scene in the early 1980s, he’s carved out a reputation for groove, grit, and unshakeable musical instinct. Best known for anchoring the sound of The Mission, Vernon has also brought his distinctive low-end touch to an array of projects, from acclaimed session...

Alex Skolnick is well known among the metal circles - but it's evident he has jazz chops too. Jazz Guitar Today talks to Alex in this podcast - and JGT's Joe Barth goes in-depth in this interview. Laugh Love Law Real conversations. Real people. Real impact. A podcast about life, law and... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Go to jazzguitartoday.com  and bassmusicianmagazine.com  m...

This month, we have a real treat for all you metal fans out there! Joining us is none other than Pär Sundström , the powerhouse bassist and co-founding member of Sabaton, a band many consider to be the #1 global power metal act in the world. Pär isn’t just the man behind those thunderous bass lines; he’s also one of the main lyricists and the band’s manager, helping to shape Sabaton’s unmistakable...