Contrabass Conversations double bass life

Micah Howard has just released a cool new app called iDouble Bass.  This app is free (!) and has an in-app purchase ($.99) of Micah’s excellent scale and technique books.  It’s filled with fantastic and clear step-by-step lessons on all aspects of double bass playing like standing, sitting, left hand, right hand, thumb position, and much more!  Check it out on the App Store or at iDoubleBass.com! Check out our in-depth interview with Micah from earlier in 2018 here.

Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of persistence: Karl Fenner - Atlanta Symphony Kristin Korb - jazz artist James Oesi - soloist, chamber musician, and organizer Caleb Quillen - Kansas City Symphony Leon Bosch - soloist, chamber musician, and conductor Listen to more “best of” episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of expat adventures: John Goldsby - WDR Big Band Marc Ramirez - Metropolitana Academy Jennifer Downing Olsson - Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra Charlie DeRamus - Gothenburg Symphony Kristin Zoernig - Philharmonia Baroque Listen to more “best of” episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of traveling with a bass: Ron Carter - jazz legend Diego Zecharies - Galicia Symphony Orchestra principal solo bass Nick Lloyd - luthier Kevin Smith - Willie Nelson Band Marco Panascia - New York City jazz bassist Listen to more “best of” episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of bass humor: Joel Reist - Nashville Symphony principal bass Leigh Mesh - MET Opera Orchestra associate principal bass Lucia Turino - The Devil Makes Three Kevin Smith - Willie Nelson Band Derek Jones -  bassist for Cirque du Soleil’s show KÀ

I had the chance to spend time in person with Yung-Ho Fu during a recent tour to San Francisco with the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, where he serves as principal bass.  Our mutual friend Cielito de Jesus connected us, and we had a wonderful time talking about his recent edition of the Bach Cello Suites as well as his recording of these wonderful works.

Valentina Ciardelli is one of my favorite young double bass artists.  She’s on a mission to showcase the double bass in a chamber music setting and elevate its prominence outside of the bass world. She’s also a huge fan of Frank Zappa, and she has arranged many of his works for solo double bass.  You can learn more on her YouTube Channel and in this engaging and wide-ranging conversation!

I had a great time chatting with bassist, composer, and educator Sean Conly during my recent trip to New York City. Sean studied with Rufus Reid and Todd Coolman at William Paterson University and has worked with Freddie Hubbard, Regina Carter, Nicholas Payton, and many other prominent jazz artists. Sean also teaches for The Bass Collective in New York, which emphasizes learning by doing and faculty performing alongside students.  

I’ve been hoping to chat with Mike Forfia for the podcast ever since I heard that he won the 2015 International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition and would be one of the headliners for the 2017 Convention.  In addition to being a great jazz bassist, Mike is the Student Success Academic + Career Advisor at The New School in New York City.

You’ve almost certainly encountered Michael Thurber’s work in the past.  Michael co-founded the incredibly popular YouTube channel CDZA, producing videos like Story of the Bass.  Michael went on to play bass on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and he is now composing critically acclaimed music for the Royal Shakespeare Company, hosting his Thurber Theater, and writing for an incredibly array of other projects.

When I put out a call for interview requests for my New York City trip, Marco Panascia was one of the most-requested bassists. Marco and I cover all kinds of interesting ground, like his journey from Italy to the United States, how he established his career in the US, getting to gigs via train and on foot, crazy gig stories, versatility, and all kinds of other topics.  

We’re talking with International Society of Bassists President Nicholas Walker about new directions for the organization.  A lot has been happening behind the scenes at the ISB, and I’ve been privileged to be on the board and a part of these restructuring.  We dig into this and much more in today’s conversation.

I spoke with South African double bassist Zanelle Britz about her launching of the first ever double bass course in South Africa, which will take place December 9-12, 2018 in Cape Town.  Learn more about the event and donate to support it at givengain.com/cc/doublebass.

When Jay Starkes of the Neo Bass Ensemble called me up to let me know about an upcoming performance, I knew that I had to check out this group.  Lisle Atkinson, the group’s founder, has been on the Jazz scene in New York for decades and has played with some of the biggest names in the business like Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, Clark Terry, and Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Big Band. Lisle was in the New York Bass Violin Choir along with Richard Davis, Ron Carter, Milt Hinton and other bass greats.

When I heard from Rice University bass professor Tim Pitts that his former student Alanna Jones had won a spot in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, I immediately dropped her a line and asked if she’d chat about this recent audition for the podcast.   We talk not only about the NZSO audition but also about her journey from Green Bay, Wisconsin to New Zealand, her time studying with Scott Pingel at the San Francisco Conservatory and life as a member of the Rice University bass studio.