Contrabass Conversations

I first met Geoff Neuman when I was teaching high school orchestra back in Illinois, and ever since then I’ve admired how Geoff manages to operate at such a high level as a gigging bassist, music educator, and ensemble director.

Geoff is up to so many things in the music world:

• He’s the Instructor of Instrumental Music at The Alexander Dawson School in Las Vegas
• He brought the Green Valley High School Symphony to the Midwest Clinic, and they were also named the National GRAMMY Signature School in 2000-01
• He has been a member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic bass section since the group’s inception 20 years ago
• He and Brad Pfeil started the Las Vegas Bass Workshop together 20 years ago
• His Outside in Jazz Trio has played in countless Las Vegas venues
• He has played all kinds of shows on the Las Vegas Strip, including long-term subbing for Derek Jones on KA by Cirque du Soleil
• He’s active as a bass teacher and educator, participating in events like the ISB’s Young Bassists Program and the Golden Gate Bass Camp
• He’s even pursuing his Doctorate in conducting!

Geoff is a great friend, and great guy, and one heck of a bassist and teacher!  We dig into a wide array of topics like score study, what he has learned on the podium and how it carries over into the bass section, how the Las Vegas music scene has changed over the years, advice for his younger self, and much more!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

Robertson & Sons Violins

For more than four decades, Robertson & Sons has specialized in providing the highest quality stringed instruments and bows to collectors, professional musicians, music educators, and students of all ages. Their modern facility is equipped with three instrument showrooms as well as a beautiful Recital Hall available to our clients to in their search for the perfect instrument and/or bow.

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

Upton’s Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

D’Addario Strings

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.

A440 Violin Shop

An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440‘s commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

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, cataloging and archiving