Jeff Beck and Tal Wilkenfeld Bass Duet New York 2009

Jeff Beck and Tal Wilkenfeld play a bass duet at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza April 10 2009. At one point early in the piece, Tal Wilkenfeld moves Jeff Beck's fingers out of the way as they both reach for the same note.

"Best of Marcus Miller" Bass Recorded Versions - Book - Tab

23 transcriptions from Grammy winning bassist and session player extraordinaire Marcus Miller, including: Big Time * Blast * Boomerang * Bruce Lee * Could It Be You * Ethiopia * Forevermore * Funny * La Villette * Lonnie's Lament * Maputo * Mountain Dance * Nikki's Groove * Panther * Power * Rampage * Rio Funk * Run For Cover * Scoop * Strum * 3 Deuces * Tutu * What Is Hip.

Just Click Here to purchase the "Best of Marcus Miller".

John Patitucci's latest Release "Remembrance"

Given that jazz bass players are typically cast as part of the rhythm support team, only a handful of them have become leaders in their own right. Taking the lead from such jazz masters as Charles Mingus, Ray Brown, Ron Carter and Dave Holland who pioneered the advance of the bass, the next generation of acoustic and electric bassists have been crafting musical statements in leadership roles.

At the top of that class is acoustic and electric bassist John Patitucci, who delivers his latest Concord Jazz project, Remembrance, a remarkable outing of 11 straight ahead to funky to classical tinged originals featuring an astounding trio comprising saxophone maestro Joe Lovano and brilliant drummer Brian Blade. Almost every tune is dedicated to a musician, hence the title. The CD is the bassist's 13th as a leader and seventh for Concord, with which he made his debut in 1997 with One More Angel. Guests include his wife Sachi Patitucci on cello and percussionist Rogerio Boccato, who delivers simpatico rhythms with Blade on four tracks that Patitucci says makes them sound "like one giant organism."

"It's not an easy thing for a bass player to be able to lead his own group and record today," says Patitucci, who, in addition to being a leader, is a longstanding member of saxophonist Wayne Shorter's quartet (along with Blade) as well as a regular participant in trios led by drummers Roy Haynes and Jack DeJohnette. He adds, "Our musical elders were the trailblazers who forged a path for us to follow."

As for the trio that he has assembled, Patitucci says that this particular group is a dream band for him, which makes Remembrance a special recording. "I've been waiting for years to make a trio record like this," he says. "Brian is a consummate artist whose contributions go way beyond the drums. He's powerful, and he has great interpretive skills, incredible ears and a breadth of musicality. Joe improvises at such a high level, and he brings a great sound, phrasing and overall feeling to everything he plays on."

Both players, says Patitucci, "swing hard and can change directions on a dime. I chose guys that I felt I could be vulnerable enough with to take lots of chances in the music." Lovano and Blade also recorded with Patitucci on his 2001 Communion Concord Jazz album, but in a quartet setting with pianist Brad Mehldau. During one rehearsal that Mehldau had to miss, Patitucci, Lovano and Blade set up shop with revelatory results. "We freaked out," Patitucci says. "We looked at each other and said that we should do a record like this someday. Ever since that time eight years ago, this album has been brewing within me."

With a minimum of overdubs, Remembrance was recorded live in the studio in the same room, with none of the players listening through headphones. "I wanted it to sound organic and let the bass bleed into other things Joe and Brian were doing," Patitucci says. "Plus, my bass sound was able to be a little bigger, broader and warmer versus

Find more great music from John Patitucci

2009 Kai Eckhardt Mentorship Program

I received a message from Kai Eckhardt that he is offering a program for bassist's who want to expand their abilities. The program will include video clips, practice log and real feedback from Kai. The 2009 Kai Eckhardt Mentorship Program is 3 1/2 months long and cost $108. Worth every penny!

He will also be offering direct lessons via Skype. The best way to reach Kai is through his Facebook page at this link.....Kai's Facebook Page. In your message just include the word "Mentorship" as the subject and he will get right back to you.

You can also find more information on the program at his website, here is the link....Mentorship Program

Here is one of my favorite clips from Kai's days with John McLaughlin.....

Marcus Miller "The Wall, Depletion, and the Light That Is Waymon Tisdale

I found this video of the eulogy given by Marcus Miller at the funeral services for Waymon Tisdale this week. This video is a must watch and says a lot about Waymon and Marcus, both amazing men.

Julie Slick of the Adrian Belew Power Trio

Today I realized that I just don't do enough post on the great lady bass players out there. So I wanted to give a shout out to Julie Slick. Julie is a Philadelphia resident who plays Bass for The Adrian Belew Power Trio along with her brother Eric on Drums. When not on the road with Adrian she works at Rembrandt's Restaurant on Fairmount in Philadelphia.

Some of you might be familiar with Adrian's work with King Crimson and when you hear the tone Julie is copping in this video you'll know why she is such a great fit for the Adrian Belew Power Trio.

Jazz Great Wayman Tisdale Dead at 44

The bass community is sadden today by the announcement that jazz great [OK, he played a little basketball to] has lost his battle with bone cancer. The one-time Oklahoma star and NBA player who recorded several jazz albums, died at 44 after a two year battle with cancer. Tisdale, was an Olympic gold medalist and three-time All American for Oklahoma, played for the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns during a 12 season NBA career.

As a bass player, Tisdale made his jazz recording debut in 1995 with "Power Forward." He released eight albums, all of which were top 10 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, including three that went to No. 1 -- 2001's "Face to Face," "Way Up!" in 2006 and his most recent album, 2008's "Rebound," which features a cover of Barry White's "Never Gonna Give You Up" with country singer Toby Keith on vocals.

Tisdale was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2007, and his right leg was amputated last August.

Thanks for the music Wayman.....rest in peace man!

Help give Wayman's family some support by buying his music. Here is a link to some of his great music on Amazon.Com



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Aguillar Amplification Announces Master Class With Gary Willis

Aguilar Amplification, maker of high quality bass amplifiers, speaker cabinets and accessories for bassists is pleased to announce the continuation of their Artist Series Master Classes on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 with endorsing artist, Gary Willis. An in demand clinician, Willis has lectured in over 20 countries and currently teaches improvisation and arranging at the prestigious Escola Superior de Musica de Catalunya conservatory in Barcelona, Spain. His published works for Hal Leonard include Fingerboard Harmony for Bass, Ultimate Ear Training, and 101 Tips for Bass.

Willis is also a respected bassist and composer who has performed and/or recorded with Wayne Shorter, Allan Holdsworth and Robben Ford. As co-founder of Tribal Tech, Willis released nine critically acclaimed recordings with the legendary fusion group. His latest release as a bandleader is 2007’s, Actual Fiction. Willis is also a member of avant jam trio Slaughterhouse 3 and the new group, Triphasic.

This event is free to the public and will be held at Aguilar’s New York City showroom. Attendees will tour the Aguilar factory and be able try out Aguilar products such as the enormously popular Tone Hammer preamp/D.I and the recently announced DB 751 amplifier.

RSVP to info@aguilaramp.com by May 11th, 2009. Space is limited!

Billy Sherwood Now Endorses Spector Basses!

Billy Sherwood of Circa, YES and World Trade fame has inked a deal with "Spector" to endorse their basses. Great player, great basses!

Here is Billy's post from the forum "Keepers Of The Flame"

Hello Friends,

I was contacted by the folks at "Spector" and have been asked to endorse their basses !! I endorsed them in the late 80's during the Word Trade days {you can hear my custom Spector 8 string and Spector fretless on there}. They make great instruments and have been doing so for years... I attached a pic of the shot to be used for adverts etc... Far left is my one of a kind custom made purple 8 String Spector which Chris actually used for "Fortune Seller" on the dreaded "Open Your Eyes" record he he... in the middle is my red fretless 4 string Spector which I used on "Fight To Win" for WT1 and many other projects over the years and the newest addition to my collection, the black stain 4 string Spector which I just received 2 days ago !! I plan to play them in the upcoming CIRCA: DVD we are working on as well as any Hybrid shows {Bobby Kimball + Circa: + Matt Brown}. I recommend these basses to any one looking for a great axe and I am proud to be have been asked on board to suppport them. They heard the CIRCA: Project and my solo cd "At The Speed Of Life..." and reached out to me as a result, glad I mixed the bass LOUD !!

The Strangest Bass I Have Ever Seen!

OK, I have seen some wacky custom basses in my time, but this one takes the grand prize. I guess this thing is playable, it does not appear to be a prop.

If anyone knows anything about this bass please leave a comment. I would love to know more details about it.