Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

CBC 71: Bad Boyz of Bass interview

We’re chatting with Volkan Orhon, David Murray, Anthony Stoops, and Paul Sharpe on this week’s episode of Contrabass Conversations. Anthony Stoops was featured recently as an interview guest on the podcast, and we also featured Volkan playing one of Chris Threlkeld-Wiegand’s basses on our interview with this fine luthier.

In this interview, we chat about the formation of the ensemble, the rehearsal process, their arrangements and musical selections, and the challenges of being in a quartet when all four members live in different cities. We’re also featuring the quartet’s live performances of a rock medley (arranged by Anthony) and ‘Baby Got Bass’ (arranged by Paul) after the interview. Learn more about these four bassists through the following links:

Enjoy!

About Anthony:

Anthony Stoops is Artist/Teacher of Bass and String Area Chair at the University of Oklahoma School of Music. Since winning first prize in the International Society of Bassists international solo competition, he has performed throughout the United States and internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. Dr. Stoops has presented masterclasses in Poland, Brazil and throughout the U.S. at venues such as the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Michigan, the University of Iowa, Interlochen Arts Academy, Penn State University, and many others.

About David:

David Murray was born in Canada and began studies on the double bass at age 12. He worked in high school with Gary Karr and continued with Mr. Karr at the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT. During summers, Mr. Murray attended the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, A F of M String Congress, and both Tanglewood and Aspen as a fellowship recipient. Upon graduation he received the Outstanding Performer Award from the Hartt School, and later that year was a top prize winner in the Canada Music Competition. Mr. Murray was winner of the Aspen Bass Concerto Competition in 1981, and in 1988 won the International Society of Bassists Competition (for which he is now secretary) in Los Angeles and was presented by the Society in a Carnegie Hall debut in 1990.

About Paul:

Paul Sharpe maintains an international profile and career in a variety of roles as a soloist, chamber, and orchestral double bassist. As a student of Jeff Bradetich he received the B.M. degree in Performance from Northwestern University, and he obtained an M.A. degree in Music from the University of Iowa studying with Diana Gannett. Recent performances and engagements include recitals and masterclasses at the University of Iowa, Cleveland Institute of Music, World Bass Convention (Wroclaw, Poland), University of North Texas, University of Michigan, Interlochen Arts Academy, and Brazil’s Sixth International Double Bass Encounter in Pirenopolis, Brazil.

About Volkan:

Acclaimed for his musicality and virtuosity, Volkan Orhon has established himself as one of the top double bassists in the world today. He was a finalist and prizewinner in the Concert Artists Guild Solo Competition in New York City, and was the co-first place winner of the International Society of Bassists Solo Competition. Additionally, he distinguished himself as the first double bass player ever to win the grand prize overall and first prize for double bass at the American String Teacher’s Association Solo Competition.

Musical Selections:

  • Rock Medley – arranged by Anthony Stoops
  • Baby Got Bass – arranged by Paul Sharpe

Music Provided by:

 

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