Contrabass Conversations double bass life

Krista Kopper recently launched a podcast called The Backstage Creative focusing on the people who work behind the scenes of theater to create the scenes, music, costumes, props, and everything else that goes into live productions. We chat about her background, starting a podcast, and the benefits that come from tackling a project like this.  Be sure to check out this cool new podcast, and a huge shout-out to Krista for being a part of the Contrabass Conversations team!

James Oesi will be hosting the second Dutch Double Bass Festival this June 8th and 9th in Rotterdam.  The line-up for the event is spectacular, including: •Francois and Sylvan Rabbath •Rick Stotijn •Renaud Garcia Fons •Richard Bona Check out the full line-up of guests and get your tickets on the festival website, and check out my previous conversation with James for more on his cool musical background and activities!

Hans Sturm and I go way back.  In fact, it was 25 years ago that I first heard him play at our mutual alma mater Northwestern University.  Hans is back in as president-elect for the ISB.  We talk about his perspectives on ISB throughout the decades, where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we’re headed in the future. 

John Goldsby has recently released a new course on Discover Double Bass called Building Up. This course contains four hours of video in 45 different lessons. Many of the tracks feature piano and drum accompaniment and also include tracks without the bass so you can practice along. The course is perfect for intermediate to advanced jazz bassists who want to solidify their technique and learn new approaches, and it’s put together from material that John has found to be effective with his students.

Kiyoe Kaimana Delphine Wellington is on an inspiring journey through the music world.  After spending her senior year of high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Kiyoe studied with Todd Seeber at the New England Conservatory.  After NEC, Kiyoe went to graduate school at the University of California San Diego, where she worked with Mark Dresser.  She is a passionate advocate of solo bass explorations, and she appeared on the PBS’s show playing solo bass on From the Top when she was 15.

Ranaan Meyer is launching a new camp called the Utah Symposium for Double Bass.  It will be taking place in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah June 7-9, and it’s open for registration for anyone ages 12 and up.  This new event is a full scholarship, immersive program which provides participants with the opportunity to explore the entire spectrum of the double bass. From orchestra, to solo, to jazz, participants will join the faculty in sharing their knowledge and approach to the double bass.

It is such a pleasure to have Phoebe Russell on the podcast! Phoebe joined the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in 2017 as Principal Bass after graduating from the Berlin Philharmonic’s Karajan Academy.  Phoebe is originally from Melbourne, Australia. Phoebe has also built a remarkable career outside of the orchestra as a soloist, and she is the lecturer in double bass at The University of Queensland and a faculty member of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.

Miami String is a string shop with a unique business setup.  Located in metro Miami and founded by Charles Winters, this shop recently added Dale Cockrum as a full-time master luthier.  We chat with Charles, his wife and business partner Katrina, and Dale about the string business in Miami, unique challenges facing double basses in this humid climate, the active double bass rental market, and much more.

Pablo Aslan recently released Contrabajo, Works for Bass and String Quartet.  This is Pablo’s first “bass up front” release, and it’s a musical tour-de-force.  We talk about the new album, Pablos musical explorations in the electronic music world, staying current with business trends in the music industry, progressing as an instrumentalist, and much more in this wide-ranging conversation. Be sure to follow Pablo on Spotify and Facebook, and check out our previous interview from 2016 here!

College Prep for Musicians is written by past podcast guest Dr. Don Greene along with Dr. Annie Bosler and Dr. Kathleen Tesar. The book introduces powerful strategies and tools for high school students to use during the audition process, gives insight into the admissions process, and provides an organized and proven system for parents and students to approach this crucial phase. Learn more about this new book here.

Annette Costanzi worked closely with George Vance to create the materials that would become the highly influential Progressive Repertoire series.  In this conversation, Annette shares her memories of the special magic surrounding the creation of this series, what George was like as a person, and how this series evolved.

Fumiko Wellington’s father George Wellington left a lasting legacy upon the double bass world.  Raised in Boston and exposed at an early age to music, George studied with Warren Benfield at Northwestern University.  George moved with his family to Hawaii, one of the few places in which his multiracial family could live and work in the United States at that time. Fumiko shares all kinds of reminiscences in this conversation about George and the impact he had on the double bass in Hawaii.

Today’s episode features a Q&A panel with several clinicians from the 2019 Chicago Bass Festival. Moderator: Liz Clawson Panel: Jason Heath Tracy Rowell, Oberlin Conservatory James VanDemark, Eastman School of Music Sara Neilson, Merit School of Music Dan Lopatka, freelance bassist Dorian Jackman, DePauw University Susan Cahill, University of Denver

Pete Coco recently released Lined with a Groove, which is dedicated to bassists he’s admired for years like: Charlie Haden Red Mitchell Ron Carter Ray Brown Milt Hinton Todd Coolman wrote the liner notes to this new album as well. In addition to the new album, we talk with Pete about bass life on Long Island, studying at Hofstra and Stony Brook, starting the Music Academy of Garden City, life as a jazz bassist in the 21st century, and much more.

It’s a pleasure to bring you this episode with renowned educator, composer, conductor, bassist, and musical innovator Bob Phillips.  Bob has been a major influence on me and how I teach, and he’s a treasure trove of knowledge on where we are and where we’re going as music educators.