Contrabass Conversations

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Contrabass Conversations

Weekly podcast about the double bass - interviews, performances, news, and resources. Double bass podcast covering life on the low end of the spectrum!

29/08/2024

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 of attending festivals and playing music in beautiful locations like Costa Rica.

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast
Mark's Books: https://shop.doublebasshq.com/collections/mark-morton

22/08/2024

Brendan Fitzgerald, Assistant Principal Double Bass for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, discusses auditioning. Listen to the complete interview on the Contrabass Conversations podcast feed.

22/08/2024

Join Brendan Fitzgerald, Assistant Principal Double Bass for 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, manage your workload, and ensure your best performance under pressure.

Don’t miss his key takeaways for musicians looking to secure a professional orchestra position.

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

15/08/2024

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 look into the world of tango.

Listeners are provided with insights on musical improvisation, the influence of dance on their performances, and the joy of artistic experimentation. The episode is a celebration of the trio's synergy and the vibrant musical landscape of tango.

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast
The album: https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6568/

08/08/2024

In this conversation, Richard Andersson Music discusses his new album WAW!, recent touring experiences, and his unique collaborations with Carl Winther and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts.

He recounts his musical journey from starting with the piano to becoming a professional bassist following a life-changing accident. Highlighting his interdisciplinary projects, such as improvising music based on audience descriptions of visual art and a unique dance show for visually impaired audiences,

Richard shares insights into his creative processes and the challenges of balancing teaching, touring, and composing. The episode also dives into his experience with specialized equipment, like the Nadine microphone, and his future plans.

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast
Richard's new album: https://richardandersson.bandcamp.com/album/waw

01/08/2024

In this episode, acclaimed bassist Daniel Kimbro reflects on his experiences as a touring artist and the challenges of maintaining routine and mental well-being on the road.

Daniel recalls significant moments from his musical journey, including his collaborations with Jerry Douglas and Tommy Emmanuel. He emphasizes the importance of staying grounded through activities like fly fishing despite the rigors of tour life.

Daniel shares his writing process, his passion for music, and the excitement surrounding his upcoming solo album, 'Carpet in the Kitchen.' The discussion also touches on the support and inspiration he gets from fellow musicians and the bass community.

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

25/07/2024

In this podcast episode, Alessandro Fongaro shares his fascinating journey from Italy to the Netherlands, where he fell in love with the vibrant jazz scene.

He discusses his extensive experience with orchestral and jazz music, his shift from playing bass guitar to double bass, and his passion for composing.

Alessandro also touches upon his involvement in Rotterdam's North Sea Round Town festival, where he curates and performs multiple projects. Additionally, he offers insights into his creative processes, practice routines, and the challenges and rewards of borrowing instruments while traveling.

The conversation also delves into Alessandro's hobbies, such as analog photography, and the importance of taking breaks for mental refreshment.

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

18/07/2024

We’re excited to introduce our podcast guest for today, Ben Ticknor! A versatile artist, Ben is the bassist for the band Never Come Down, which recently released their new album.

He's not just an accomplished musician but also an educator, having studied bass under Jeff Johnson at Portland State University. Currently, he's the Principal Bass of the Oregon East Symphony.

And guess what? When he's not creating music, he's a professional Ski Patroller and Avalanche professional on Mt Hood. Stay tuned for a fascinating chat with Ben!

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

11/07/2024

In this episode, we're excited to bring you a conversation with Dr. Renata Soares Cáceres. Originally from Brazil, Renata began her journey in music as an electric bassist at age 11.

She has since studied and performed in the US, obtaining a Master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, an Artist Diploma Certificate from Texas Christian University, and a DMA degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

With a passion for teaching, Renata currently teaches at Illinois Wesleyan University and has extensive experience teaching double bass in the American school system, and is certified in Paul Rolland’s String Pedagogy.

We discuss Renata's unique project, "Bass Bites - Bite-sized Double Bass Instruction", which was born out of a PechaKucha-style session at the Illinois Music Educators Conference and ASTA National Conference in 2021.

The aim of Bass Bites is to create two-minute videos on double bass pedagogy for string teachers, providing them with enough information to understand the basic concepts of double bass playing without taking too much of their time.

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

04/07/2024

On this episode, we welcome accomplished bassist and Professor of Double Bass and Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Peter Dominguez. Peter started his career in Milwaukee and has also taught at Michigan State University and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and performed with various artists globally.

Peter's contributions include adjudicating international competitions, directing the Richard Davis Foundation conference, and founding the Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass. His discography includes "How About This," "Groove Dreams," and a solo recording, "Bass Salute."

We discuss the Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass, a summer program for teenage bass players, which Peter directs. Hosted by NJPAC and Montclair State University in July 2024, the program offers classes, performances, ensemble work, studio sessions, and more. Visit njpac.org/hinton for more information.

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

27/06/2024

Our guest, Mike Gaisbacher, is a Nashville-based bow maker who specializes in bass bows. He started his journey in bow making in 2022 after graduating from Berklee in 2015 and learning how to rehair from Sue Lipkins.

Mike has since dedicated himself to perfecting the craft, studying with experts like Sue Lipkins, Matt Wheling, and attending Rodney Mohr's workshops.

His work includes a remarkable project: a bow for Paul Kowert of the Punch Brothers, which is a copy of Edgar Meyer's bow. Mike's bows have also been played by Ethan Jodziewicz, Mark Schatz, and are featured in the Minneapolis orchestra. Learn more about Mike's work on his website or Instagram.

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

20/06/2024

Sam Suggs is the first solo bassist in 36 years to join the Concert Artists Guild roster and was recently recognized with an award for Extraordinary Creativity at the 2017 Bradetich Foundation International Double Bass Competition.

We dig into his unique path from a strong piano background in Buffalo, through Northwestern University, where he studied both performance and theory, to his time at Yale, focusing on contemporary music.

We also explore Sam's philosophy on concert programming and the importance of engaging the audience.

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

18/06/2024

Images from day 2 of

13/06/2024

Stephanie Patterson specializes in teaching adult learners and has been playing in community orchestras for decades.

We talk about the joys and community benefits of participating in community orchestras, Stephanie's role in the Abington Festival Strings, and highlight various community orchestra activities and events, including rehearsals, concerts, and the engagement of various age groups.

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

06/06/2024

Robin Kesselman is the author of "Bow Speed Geography," which elegantly explores concepts of bow speed geography in string playing, focusing on the importance of evenness in bow speed, control, and the application of bow speed.

We dig into life for Robin in the eight years since our past interview, the inspiration behind the book, and all kinds of topics surrounding bow speed, technique, and expressivity.

Enjoy, and you can pick up a copy of this great new resource at the ISB Store and Robertson and Sons.

Photo courtesy of the Houston Symphony

Get your copy: https://www.isbstore.com/products/kesselman-bow-speed-geography

30/05/2024

Paul Thompson is a bassist and educator in the Pittsburgh metro area. He also runs a successful YouTube Channel under the name pdbass.

This interview discusses content creation challenges, audience management, social media usage, balancing creative goals with audience expectations, and YouTube's influence on careers. It emphasizes music passion, content segmentation, understanding platform success/failure, and navigating YouTube analytics. It also covers the emotional impact of views/comments, feedback from renowned musicians, live streaming plans, and exploring creative content ideas.

Check out the video version of this conversation on YouTube, and check out Paul’s past appearances on the podcast and YouTube Channel to learn more about this cool artist!

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast
Watch: https://youtu.be/QuSxewr3g3E

23/05/2024

In this episode, we delve into a fascinating conversation with Dana Saba David from Israel and Carlos Pino from Colombia, the duo behind the bass duet Between the Bass.

They share their unique approach to the double bass and electric bass, blending tradition with innovation in a way that redefines the possibilities of these instruments.

Listen on your favorite podcast platform: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

Support their project: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/betweenthebass/between-the-bass

16/05/2024

Peter Doubrovsky and Brandino (Brandino Bassmaster) are both renowned musicians and fans of the 5-string double bass.

Peter Doubrovsky, aside from his work with the Pasadena Symphony and POPS orchestra, is a highly sought-after recording musician. His illustrious career spans over twenty years, during which he has recorded for countless feature film soundtracks. Some notable works include Coco (2017), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Star Trek (2009), and Conspiracy Theory (1997).

Brandino's success is marked by his collaborations with many of the world's top recording artists and entertainers. His extensive involvement encompasses the music, entertainment, television, multimedia, web designing, and film industries.

In 2007, his musicianship was recognized with double Grammys for his participation in the 2007 Grammy Nominated "Album of the Year" and "Best Pop Vocal Album" Justin Timberlake's "FutureSex/LoveSounds", Mary J Blige's "Breakthrough" which won 2006 Best R&B Album of the Year, Beyonce and Stevie Wonder's "So Amazing" single in 2005, and "OUTKAST" which bagged the 2004 Grammy Album Of The Year and Best Rap Album.

Thanks to both Peter and Brandino for their insightful conversation on this episode. For further inquiries or to connect with Peter, he can be reached directly at [email protected].

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

09/05/2024

Alejandro Arenas is a versatile musician, composer, producer, and educator who has performed with various bands and genres. He co-founded the award-winning Jazz ensemble La Lucha and World Music ensemble Orilla and works a freelance bassist for numerous artists.

He also serves as an adjunct professor of bass at St. Petersburg College for the Music Industry Recording Arts program.

We dig into his journey through the music world and much more. Follow along with Alejandro on his website, Instagram, and Facebook, and a big thanks for our mutual friend Geoff Neuman for connecting us!

Listen on your favorite podcast platform: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

02/05/2024

Mark Dresser is a Grammy-nominated, internationally renowned bass player, improviser, composer, and interdisciplinary collaborator.

At the core of his music is an artistic obsession and commitment to expanding the contrabass's sonic, musical, and expressive possibilities. He has recorded over 140 CDs, including three solo CDs and a DVD.

Mark’s latest solo album is Tines of Change, which features luthier Kent McLagan’s innovative bass designs, including a set of metal tines that can be bowed and plucked. Check out the trailer for Tines of Change and bravo to Mark for this fascinating new sonic adventure.

•Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast
•Mark's New Album: https://markdresserpyroclastic.bandcamp.com/album/tines-of-change
•The Trailer to Tines of Change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69LEBfVt3xk

25/04/2024

Gustavo Lorenzatti is an Argentine double bass player, composer, and long-standing member of the Symphony Orchestra of Córdoba. He has a background in jazz, improvised and classical music, tango, and Argentine folklore.

He formally studied at the Rotterdam Conservatory of Music with the soloist of the Netherlands Philharmonic, Hans Roelofsen.

We explore Gustavo’s path through the music world, his unique approach to composition and solo performance, and several musical examples of his special double bass approach.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Gustavo on Instagram, Spotify, and YouTube!

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

18/04/2024

Anne Luna recently launched a series on her YouTube Channel called Bass Bites, which explore various aspects of double bass technique.

Anne is an experienced performer and educator with an extensive background in bluegrass, and these videos are a great exploration of her approach to teaching the bass.

We talk about her aspiration for the channel, living in rural New Mexico, the world of bluegrass, and much more in this engaging conversation. Enjoy!

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast
Anne's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/

11/04/2024

Matt Rybicki has performed with renowned artists like Wynton Marsalis and played at esteemed venues, from The Village Vanguard to international concert halls. He balances an active performance schedule with his roles as a faculty member at The Juilliard School and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Matt recently started a YouTube Channel titled Learn Jazz Bass with Matt Rybicki, which digs into all kinds of insights into jazz bass for players of all levels.
We talk about the inspiration for starting this channel, what it has been like making weekly videos, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast
Matt's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/

04/04/2024

Dominik Wagner is one of the world’s leading double bassists and has built a remarkable career as a soloist and educator. He has begun hosting long-form interviews on his YouTube Channel with bassists such as Christoph Wimmer and Jeff Bradetich.

We cover Dominik’s latest projects, the inspiration for these long-form interviews, working through focal dystonia, and much more. Enjoy!

photo credit: Maria Frodl

Listen: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

28/03/2024

Bassists Ari Folman-Cohen, Michael Isvara Montgomery, Ran Livneh, and Scott Colberg make up the Adnata Ensemble, which has just released its debut album, Oku.

We dig into the story behind this bass quartet, coming together in the park in 2020, how these collaborations led to this album, and much more.

Listen to the podcast and album here: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

23/03/2024

Don't miss out on the San Francisco Winter Bass Bash on March 24th at Davies Symphony Hall! We're delighted to have the distinguished composer, soloist, and educator, Sam Suggs for a full recital at noon, after our student performances. We express our gratitude to our bass mentors and the San Francisco Symphony’s Education Department for their continued support. This FREE event is open to all. Let your students and their families join us as we celebrate together the Bay Area's bass community!

22/03/2024

Mark your calendars for the San Francisco Winter Bass Bash on March 24th at Davies Symphony Hall! We're honored to host the accomplished composer, soloist, and educator, Sam Suggs. He'll take the stage for a full recital at noon, following our student performances. Thanks to our bass mentors and the San Francisco Symphony’s Education Department for making this event possible. This event is FREE and open to the public. We encourage all students and their families to attend and celebrate the Bay Area's bass community!

22/03/2024

Join us for the San Francisco Winter Bass Bash on March 24th at Davies Symphony Hall! We're excited to present our esteemed guest, the composer, soloist, and educator Sam Suggs. He'll be performing a full recital at noon, right after our student performances. We're thankful to our bass mentors and the San Francisco Symphony’s Education Department for their support. This FREE event is open to everyone. Bring your students and their families and let's acknowledge our bass community together!

21/03/2024

Get ready for the San Francisco Winter Bass Bash on March 24th at Davies Symphony Hall! We're thrilled to feature the renowned composer, soloist, and educator, Sam Suggs. He'll be giving a full recital at noon, following our student performances in the morning.

We're grateful for all the support from our bass mentors and the San Francisco Symphony’s Education Department that makes this event possible. This event is open to the public and FREE. Encourage your students and their families to attend, and let's celebrate the Bay Area's bass community together!

21/03/2024

Sam Loeck was recently appointed Principal Bass of Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra. Before this position, he served as Principal Bass of the Calgary Philharmonic. He was also a finalist and trialist for Principal Bass of the London Symphony Orchestra.

We dig into Sam’s path into the double bass world and his auditioning journey, exploring the twists and turns and lessons learned. Enjoy!

Listen: https://contrabassconversations.com/samloeck

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Videos

Brendan Fitzgerald on auditioning

Brendan Fitzgerald, Assistant Principal Double Bass for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, discusses auditioning. Listen to the complete interview on the Contrabass Conversations podcast feed. #bassist #auditions

Get ready for the San Francisco Winter Bass Bash on March 24th at Davies Symphony Hall! We're thrilled to feature the renowned composer, soloist, and educator, Sam Suggs. He'll be giving a full recital at noon, following our student performances in the morning. We're grateful for all the support from our bass mentors and the San Francisco Symphony’s Education Department that makes this event possible. This event is open to the public and FREE. Encourage your students and their families to attend, and let's celebrate the Bay Area's bass community together! #SFWinterBassBash #SamSuggsRecital #doublebass #contrabass #contrabajo #contrabaixo @s3suggs

Pete Lampe is the owner of Pete's Upright Bass Shop in Portland, Oregon, and he has been an active bassist in Portland since 1986. He won a Silver Medal for Tone at the 2023 International Society of Bassists Convention, and he is currently focused on building his own double basses. #doublebass #stringbass #uprightbass #contrabass #podcast #luthiery #fromthebench check out the full podcast with Pete at https://contrabassconversations.com/podcast

Pete Lampe is the owner of Pete's Upright Bass Shop in Portland, Oregon, and he has been an active bassist in Portland since 1986. He won a Silver Medal for Tone at the 2023 International Society of Bassists Convention, and he is currently focused on building his own double basses. Listen to the complete episode on your favorite podcast platform. #doublebass #stringbass #uprightbass #contrabass #podcast #luthiery #fromthebench

Pete Lampe is the owner of Pete's Upright Bass Shop in Portland, Oregon, and he has been an active bassist in Portland since 1986. He won a Silver Medal for Tone at the 2023 International Society of Bassists Convention, and he is currently focused on building his own double basses. Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts. #doublebass #stringbass #uprightbass #contrabass #podcast #luthier #fromthebench

Talking with Grammy award-winning double bassist Abe Gumroyan about making a living as a freelance bassist! #doublebass #contrabass #uprightbass #freelancemusician

Today’s episode is the first in a series of chats with double bass legend Don Prell. Born in 1929, Don went on the road with the Frank Ortega Band, played with people like Buddy Rich and Chet Baker, and was in the original Bud Shank Quartet. He played for the San Francisco Symphony for 30 years and, after retirement, formed his own group called the Sea Bop Ensemble, which played at various San Francisco spots, including the legendary Bay View Boat Club. #doublebass #contrabass #jazzbassist

Dave Anderson's double bass music back in print!

We're so happy to be offering Dave Anderson's double bass music catalog in our digital sheet music store! Check it out here - https://smarturl.it/andersoncatalog

914: The German double bass scene

We have a new solo show out today! 914: The German double bass scene Listen on your favorite podcast platform: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

913: Uli Schneider on the German bass community

Uli Schneider on the German bass community Listen on your favorite podcast platform: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast

Ep. 910: Extension Deep-Dive

In this deep-dive solo show, Jason explores why double bass extensions are popular for reaching the low notes, their various styles, and advantages vs. disadvantages between 4 string basses with extensions and 5 string basses. Listen on your favorite podcast platform: https://www.contrabassconversations.com/podcast Watch the corresponding video: https://youtu.be/sdqFEhjZrxQ

Blake tearing it up at the 2022 Pittsburgh Double Bass Symposium! #cmudoublebassstudio #doublebass

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Videos

Brendan Fitzgerald on auditioning

Dave Anderson's double bass music back in print!

914: The German double bass scene

913: Uli Schneider on the German bass community

Ep. 910: Extension Deep-Dive

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