So many people will resonate with the musical journey that Don Messina has had. He has been a proponent of the music and style of Lennie Tristano ever since meeting him in 1973, and he also spent 14 years studying jazz with tenor saxophonist Fred Amend.
In addition to being part of the Kazzrie Jaxen Duo/Trio/Quartet, Don has session and performed with Sal, Mosca, Jimmy Halperin, Larry Bluth, Jon Easton, Peter Prisco, Ted Brown, Rick Moore, Chris Aiello, Will Jhun, Charley Krachy, Skip Scott, Rich Peare, and others. Don has also performed with Phil Woods, Stanley Turrentine, Joris Roelsof, Vassar Clemens, Mike Scap, Josh Breakstone, and the Lew London Trio.
Don and I dig into his decisions to play gut strings and without an amp, the unique musical scene surrounding Lennie Tristano, Sal Mosca, and Don’s other major influences, how the jazz scene has evolved over the years, and much more.
We also feature a couple of excerpts from Don’s solo album “Dedicated to…” Enjoy!
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This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.
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Contrabass Conversations production team:
- Jason Heath, host
- Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
- Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
- Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
- Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
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For Don Messina regarding hatpeg tuners.
Check out the new rubners:
https://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/1609-DELUXE_EBONY_HAT_PEG_UPRIGHT_BASS_TUNING_MACHINES_TUNERS.html
The wooden hatpegs diameters are a little biger, which may be preferred by gut string users?