Guitar and Bass Conversations

Whenever I think of Bluegrass music, Missy Raines is one of the first names that comes to mind. As the most awarded bass player in the history of the International Bluegrass Music Association, Missy Raines’s impact on the genre is undeniable. She’s a Grammy nominee and has collaborated with a wide range of acclaimed artists throughout her career. If you’re looking to learn Bluegrass bass, Missy is...

MonoNeon’s been keeping busy, touring internationally and currently making his way across the U.S. as part of his latest run. If you’ve seen him live, you know his performances are anything but ordinary… funky and full of character. He recently released a new album titled You Had Your Chance… Bad Attitude . It features eight tracks of off-center, groove-heavy funk, delivered in his unmistakable st...

Music is a universal language, a thread that connects us all, and there’s something especially exciting about meeting a bass player from another part of the world. Meet Ksenia Vasileva , bassist, sound designer, composer, and musical instrument maker, originally from Russia and now making waves in New York City. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Ksenia is fully immersed in the nonstop hustle...

Coyote Theory released their latest album, Still , on March 14, and what better time to catch up with their talented bass player, Grayson Hendren? This genre-bending alt-pop trio has been making music together since 2010, and they’ve continued to evolve, innovate, and push creative boundaries over the years. With their signature blend of emotional depth and vibrant energy, Still marks a powerful n...

Chip Z’nuff has been holding it down in the rock world for decades, and it’s always a good time catching up with someone who’s lived it and still brings the heat. I had the chance to talk with him just before the release of Enuff Z’nuff’s new album, Xtra Cherries . We got into everything, from his early days in the scene to what went into this latest record. If you’re a fan of classic rock with at...

I came across a heartfelt piece in People where bassist Amos Heller reflected on the ERAS Tour—a once-in-a-lifetime experience that left a deep and lasting impact on him. Naturally, I was eager to speak with Amos, and he was kind enough to carve out time for this conversation. In this interview, Amos opens up about his musical journey, how he crafts his signature sound, shares his thoughts on bass...

I’m always excited to hear about bass players making waves on the radio charts, so it’s the perfect time to chat with Sam DeRose Jr., who’s been setting them on fire. Sam recently recorded a series of songs at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios, and his latest single, “Sarah,” has been climbing the charts, hitting #3 on the Indie Charts, #13 on the Top 40, #24 on the Hot 100, and #41 on the Media...

Bob Bakert, Jazz Guitar Today editor: Pasquale Grasso is a virtuoso guitarist from Italy …  At the age of 36 he is a fixture on the scene in NYC, which in the words of Frank Sinatra, “if you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere”… He is simply one of the most accomplished guitarists on the scene today.  He plays with voicing and movement of a pianist, solos like a horn and is a complete like...

I always love meeting young bass players, as they represent the future of our beloved instrument. Recently, we heard from Cara Richard, a dedicated bassist who has been playing for nearly two years. In that time, she’s been diligently learning a wide range of songs and sharing her progress on social media. As she embarks on what I hope will be a long and rewarding musical journey, I thought it wou...

In this podcast, JGT's Bob Bakert speaks with Scott Hilzik and Beth Marlis about a new project - arranging Jimmy Wyble's music for piano. 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.

I have known the very versatile Joseph Patrick Moore for a very long time and I have been following his exceptional work for many years. If you’ve been keeping up, you may have noticed his latest endeavor,  BassLessons.tv , a fantastic new bass education platform we highlighted just last month. Currently, Joseph is holding down the low end and serving as Assistant Musical Director for Cirque du So...

Jazz Guitar Today talks to guitarist Don Felder about his love of jazz, his new album and tour, and playing onstage with Jimmy Page in the front row! 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.

If you are a fan of Ska/Punk/Reggae, you are eagerly awaiting the release of the Kilograms’ new album “Beliefs & Thieves”, due to be released on April 4th of this year. Behind every high-energy band, is a talented bass player… and for the Kilograms, that would be Joe Gittleman. Join me as we hear about Joe’s musical journey, how he gets his sound, the whole Kilograms story, and their plans for...

Derek Jones and I go way back—think Myspace days! We’d been in touch for quite a while before finally meeting up at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to catch the Cirque du Soleil masterpiece, KA , about fourteen years ago. Luckily, we scored some exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and got an inside look at Derek’s journey during that time. Flash forward to today, and Derek has been holding it down on b...

I was recently introduced to an incredible project by The Funeral Portrait called Greetings From Suffocate City , and it instantly caught my attention. It was so intriguing that I had to chat with their bassist, Robert Weston. Since forming in 2014, the band has been pouring their heart into their music... and this latest project feels like the powerful culmination of all those years of hard work...

I’ve always loved listening to Bluegrass music, and I especially enjoy chatting with their bass players. Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ronnie Simpkins, the bassist for The Seldom Scene, a renowned Bluegrass band from Bethesda, MD. The band just released their new album, “Remains to Be Scene,” in March 2025 (available on Amazon.com ). Join me as we hear all about Ronnie’s musical jo...

JGT's Bob Bakert talks to Jeanne Pisano, Beth Marlis, and John Storie about John Pisano. 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 Bobby Broom talks to JGT about a new recording by the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, More Amor: A Tribute to Wes Montgomery . 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.

I am sure a lot of Shinedown fans remember my last conversation with bassist Eric Bass back in September 2022 when the band released their “Planet Zero” album ( View Interview ). Eric released a solo album titled “I Had A Name” and I caught up with him to learn more about the project. This interview first appeared in Bass Musician Magazine in Feb 2025 Go to jazzguitartoday.com  and bassmusicianmag...

Jazz Guitar Today's Bob Bakert talks with Bill Hart, internationally acclaimed guitarist, composer and educator about the role of pedals and effects in his music. 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.

The Yellowjackets are celebrating their 50th anniversary as a band and their bassist, Dane Alderson, has been with them for almost a decade. Together, this band is an iconic pillar of musicality in the Jazz community. They have been massively prolific over the years, and they are releasing their twenty-seventh album, “Fasten Up,” later this month. Join me as we hear about Dane’s musical journey, h...

Brent-Anthony Johnson may be the amazing bassist you have never heard of, despite his 45-year career as one of the hardest-working musicians in the industry. Brent-Anthony is a Bass Musician Magazine contributor who has shared a veritable wealth of educational and other bass-related pieces. He was an early adopter in online bass education and you will have seen him on Jamplay as well as his curren...

Jazz Guitar Today's Bob Bakert talks to guitarist Mason Razavi. 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.

In part 1 of the conversation, Jazz Guitar Today's Bob Bakert talks one-on-one with Jimmy Bruno about his recent retirement announcement. 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.

JGT's Bob Bakert and guitarist Frank Vignola talk to Jimmy about his retirement and early years as a musician. 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.