Today we are featuring an interview with Marc Ramirez. Originally from New York, Marc is the principal bassist with the Gulbenkian Orchestra of Lisbon, Portugal. Marc and I had a great conversation about his path to this job overseas, where he has now been for 17 years. We talk about similarities and differences in American… Continue reading 173: Marc Ramirez on Portugal, life as an expat, and differences between American and European orchestras
Author: Jason
An active double bass performer and teacher, Jason teaches double bass at DePaul University and served on the Board of Directors of the International Society of Bassists for many years. Jason is the current President of the Illinois chapter of the American String Teachers Association.
Jason has been a member of the Elgin Symphony since 2000 and has played with the Midsummer’s Music Festival in Door County for the past decade. He is a past member of the Milwaukee Ballet and IRIS Orchestra, and has performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Symphony, and numerous other professional ensembles.
172: Lauren Pierce and Geoff Chalmers on innovating online
Today’s episode features Lauren Pierce and Geoff Chalmers, both of whom have been doing some remarkable things online in the world of the bass. What’s really cool is that these two have paired up to do a new web series called Ask Geoff and Lauren. In this episode, we talk about each of their respective… Continue reading 172: Lauren Pierce and Geoff Chalmers on innovating online
171: Paul Ellison on musical athletes, period performance, and the comprehensive undergraduate experience
It is our pleasure to bring you this interview with Paul Ellison. Paul is chair of strings and professor of double bass at Rice University, where he has taught for the past four decades. He is the former principal bass of the Houston Symphony, former president of the International Society of Bassists, and has had a significant impact… Continue reading 171: Paul Ellison on musical athletes, period performance, and the comprehensive undergraduate experience
170: Blair Tindall on Mozart in the Jungle, searching for a new career path, and observations on the orchestral world
We are featuring Blair Tindall on the podcast today. Blair is the author of the book Mozart in the Jungle, which explores the world of classical musicians in a very compelling narrative. Blair and I talk about life as a New York freelancer, her journey into a career as a writer, and we take a… Continue reading 170: Blair Tindall on Mozart in the Jungle, searching for a new career path, and observations on the orchestral world
169: Shigeru Ishikawa on Switzerland and Japan, premiering new works, and studying bass in the United States
This week’s episode features an interview, conducted by Jonathan Stefaniak, of Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra solo double bassist Shigeru Ishikawa. Shigeru previously served as principal bassist for the Berner Symphonie Orchester in Bern, Switzerland and the Florida Philharmonic as well as guest principal bass with the New Japan Philharmonic in 1996 under Seiji Ozawa. Shigeru was principal bassist of the… Continue reading 169: Shigeru Ishikawa on Switzerland and Japan, premiering new works, and studying bass in the United States