181: Carlos Henriquez on playing with Wynton Marsalis, developing a creative voice, and creating effective Afro-Cuban bass lines

We are featuring Carlos Henriquez on today’s show.  Carlos has been the bassist for the Wynton Marsalis Septet and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for nearly 20 years, and he has just released his first solo album The Bronx Pyramid on Blue Engine Records.  You’ll hear clips from the title track before and after… Continue reading 181: Carlos Henriquez on playing with Wynton Marsalis, developing a creative voice, and creating effective Afro-Cuban bass lines

180: Ian Hallas on winning a Lyric Opera bass section spot, effective excerpt practicing, and routines for audition success

Today’s guest is Ian Hallas, the newest member of the double bass section of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.  Ian successfully auditioned for Lyric in January of 2016 and joins a section with former Contrabass Conversations guests Greg Sarchet and Andrew Anderson.  Ian studied with Paul Ellison at Rice University and David Allen Moore at the University… Continue reading 180: Ian Hallas on winning a Lyric Opera bass section spot, effective excerpt practicing, and routines for audition success

179: Douglas Mapp on successful freelancing, life as a jazz bass professor, and ISB insider insight

We are featuring Douglas Mapp on today’s episode. Douglas is the current president of the International Society of Bassists and is also on faculty at Rowan University, where he is professor of jazz studies and teaches double bass. He is also extremely active as a performer, serving as principal bassist of the Reading Symphony and… Continue reading 179: Douglas Mapp on successful freelancing, life as a jazz bass professor, and ISB insider insight

Crazy Gig Stories!

We are featuring a series of crazy gig stories that I had recorded in the first phase of the podcast. I had a total blast doing these back in the day and hope to do more of these in the near future. You’ll be hearing four of my own stories on this episode: My Car… Continue reading Crazy Gig Stories!

178: Useful Music Apps

Today’s episode is a bit of a departure from the norm for us. This is a recording of a talk I did for the Illinois American String Teachers Association’s Fall Teacher Enrichment Workshop in October of 2015.  I have been involved with this organization for many years and am their current state chapter president.  I… Continue reading 178: Useful Music Apps