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Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

1112: Remembering Jack Budrow

Winston “Jack” Budrow, former ISB board member, passed away on September 4, 2024, at age 79 after a brief hospice stay.

Jack retired from Michigan State University’s College of Music, where he served as professor of double bass and co-chair of the string area. His distinguished career encompassed both performance and teaching, including positions with the Houston Symphony and as principal bass in the North Carolina Symphony. His students have secured positions in prestigious orchestras worldwide, from Atlanta to Oslo. During summers, Jack also taught at the Interlochen Center for the Arts.

For his exceptional teaching, Jack received Michigan’s 2014 String Teacher of the Year award from the American String Teachers Association and the ISB’s 2017 Special Recognition Award for Teaching. He will be remembered for his joyful presence and rollicking humor.

This interview was conducted by John Grillo and Jason Heath in 2008, and a partial transcript of the interview is available here.

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Thank you to our sponsors!

Upton Bass – From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations.  Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio is a valued part of an innovative fine arts community in a top research university. Students receive weekly private lessons and solo classes with Micah Howard, and Peter Guild teaches weekly Orchestral Literature and Repertoire. They encourage students to seek lessons and guidance from local bassists. Members of the Symphony, the Opera, and the Ballet provide annual classes and individual attention. Visit Micah’s website to sign up for a free online trial lesson here.

  • theme music by Eric Hochberg

1111: Bass Pedagogy Evolution with Gaelen McCormick

In this episode, we’re joined by Gaelen McCormick, President of the International Society of Bassists, to discuss her groundbreaking book Teaching Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass: Historical and Modern Pedagogical Practices, co-authored with Dijana Ihas and Miranda Wilson. Gaelen shares insights on the historical development of bass pedagogy and how teaching methods have evolved over centuries.

We explore the fascinating evolution of bass pedagogy from 1800 to the present day, with special focus on how George Vance and Hal Robinson’s Double Bass Project revolutionized bass education. We also discuss the valuable transferable skills that musicians develop through bass playing and apply to other professional contexts, along with examining the significant leap forward in teaching methodologies that has occurred since 2000.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Connect with us

  • all things double bass
  • double bass merch
  • double bass sheet music

Thank you to our sponsors!

Upton Bass – From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations.  Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio is a valued part of an innovative fine arts community in a top research university. Students receive weekly private lessons and solo classes with Micah Howard, and Peter Guild teaches weekly Orchestral Literature and Repertoire. They encourage students to seek lessons and guidance from local bassists. Members of the Symphony, the Opera, and the Ballet provide annual classes and individual attention. Visit Micah’s website to sign up for a free online trial lesson here.

  • theme music by Eric Hochberg

https://traffic.libsyn.com/contrabassconversations/Gaelen_McCormick_mixdown.mp3

1110: What it takes to make it as a theater musician

In today’s episode, Trevor Jones and Jason Heath explore the joys and terrors of subbing in the high-stakes world of musical theater.

Read the transcription of this interview with other helpful links and resources.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Connect with us

  • all things double bass
  • double bass merch
  • double bass sheet music

Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass – From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations.  Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio is a valued part of an innovative fine arts community in a top research university. Students receive weekly private lessons and solo classes with Micah Howard, and Peter Guild teaches weekly Orchestral Literature and Repertoire. They encourage students to seek lessons and guidance from local bassists. Members of the Symphony, the Opera, and the Ballet provide annual classes and individual attention. Visit Micah’s website to sign up for a free online trial lesson here.

  • theme music by Eric Hochberg
https://traffic.libsyn.com/contrabassconversations/theater_subbing_Upton_and_CMU_ads.mp3

1108: Remembering Gary Karr

In this special episode, Jason Heath shares three personal memories of the legendary double bassist Gary Karr, who passed away this summer. Gary Karr was widely regarded as the world’s leading solo bassist who elevated the double bass as a solo instrument during his illustrious career.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Connect with us

  • all things double bass
  • double bass merch
  • double bass sheet music

Thank you to our sponsors!

Upton Bass – From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations.  Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio is a valued part of an innovative fine arts community in a top research university. Students receive weekly private lessons and solo classes with Micah Howard, and Peter Guild teaches weekly Orchestral Literature and Repertoire. They encourage students to seek lessons and guidance from local bassists. Members of the Symphony, the Opera, and the Ballet provide annual classes and individual attention. Visit Micah’s website to sign up for a free online trial lesson here.

  • theme music by Eric Hochberg
https://traffic.libsyn.com/contrabassconversations/remembering_Gary_Karr_mixdown.mp3

1107: Olie Brice on his Journey into Improvised Music

In this episode, we’re joined by UK-based double bassist Olie Brice, a prominent voice in the world of free jazz and improvised music. Olie shares his musical journey, practice approaches, and experiences as a touring bassist working with renowned artists like Evan Parker and Tony Malaby.

This episode offers valuable insights for bassists interested in improvised music, as well as listeners curious about the creative process behind free jazz and the practical aspects of life as a touring musician.

Links and Resources:

  • Olie Brice’s Official Website
  • Olie’s New Album on Bandcamp
  • Olie Brice on YouTube
  • Follow Olie on Instagram (@oliebricebass)

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Connect with us

  • all things double bass
  • double bass merch
  • double bass sheet music

Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass – From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations.  Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

  • theme music by Eric Hochberg
https://traffic.libsyn.com/contrabassconversations/Olie_Brice_Upton_ad.mp3
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