Jaco Pastorius is a household name in jazz music, fusion, funk and bass guitar. Few people can be attributed to re-defining an entire instrument and the musical possibilities that comes with it. Jaco was one of those few. Thoughout Jaco's lifetime, he touched as many lives with his music and inspired an entire generation to come to pick up the bass guitar and try … [Read more...] about 7 Classic Jaco Pastorius Interviews
Bassists and Music
Just Who Is Jamareo Artis, Anyway?
The bar was packed and me and my friends, all gathered around a table with our beers in hand, sat as we watched the Seahawks show why they were the best defensive team in the National Football League. We laughed, we cried, our jaws dropped from time to time at the plays being called from both ends of the team. Since I had not picked a team, I wasn't personally invested in … [Read more...] about Just Who Is Jamareo Artis, Anyway?
Bassist Alberto Rigoni Announces Vivaldi Metal Project
If you're not familiar with bass player and composer, Alberto Rigoni, you're certainly missing out on one of the more influential and distinguished bass players in the international progressive rock and metal scene. And what better time to be acquainted with Alberto's work then with his latest project, the Vivaldi Metal Project. The project is the brainchild of the … [Read more...] about Bassist Alberto Rigoni Announces Vivaldi Metal Project
Check Out 3 Modern Bands With Fantastic Bass Playing
A great bass line is a great bass line regardless of the generation or style of music that it comes from. But first let's ask ourselves: what makes a great bass player? They play within themselves They hold the band together They add that extra bit of something to the band's sound Regardless of your age or playing ability, you've probably heard a great bass bass … [Read more...] about Check Out 3 Modern Bands With Fantastic Bass Playing
Learn What The Faceless’ Evan Brewer Has to Say About Originality and Being Yourself as a Bassist
Everyone is looking for their own identity as a a player. But for many, it feels elusive and it seems like all the "good originality" is taken already. Not true. Very, not true. Guaranteed, originality is right under your nose and you might not have noticed it this entire time. Being original is perhaps one of the easiest things to do on any instrument. The problems … [Read more...] about Learn What The Faceless’ Evan Brewer Has to Say About Originality and Being Yourself as a Bassist
Pushing the Limits of Bass Guitar: We Must Go Deeper!
Whenever I see something really cool being done with a bass, I am sure to make a point to stand up and take notice. But when that performance is something already musically familiar and fantastically reworked for bass, then I really take notice. Lately the most recent example of this was a video I came across on YouTube by bass player Nathan Navarro covering Skrillex's … [Read more...] about Pushing the Limits of Bass Guitar: We Must Go Deeper!
Check Out Bobby Vega’s New Bass Solo Submission to YouTube
To those who believe that the only way to be funky is with your fingers or your thumbs, I encourage all those people to watch bass player and session veteran, Bobby Vega play with a pick! Known for his session work, Vega has gained an even bigger following for his funky pick playing abilities. Vega's has filled in the bass seat for a whose-who of acts including: Joan … [Read more...] about Check Out Bobby Vega’s New Bass Solo Submission to YouTube
Watch Thundercat Play “Heartbreaks + Setbacks” on Jimmy Fallon
Bassist and musical cosmonaut, Thundercat aka Stephen Bruner, joined the Roots this past Tuesday to perform the song (and my personal favorite), "Heartbreaks + Setbacks". For those of you unfamiliar with Thundercat's music, I recommend checking out his first album, Golden Age of Apocalypse and his most recent album, Apocalypse, from which "Heartbreaks + Setbacks" comes … [Read more...] about Watch Thundercat Play “Heartbreaks + Setbacks” on Jimmy Fallon