Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

228: David White on Broadway, New York City, and Networking

David White performs on upright and electric bass in musical theatre

David White performs on upright and electric bass in musical theatre

Today’s episode features David White, who works as an upright and electric bassist in the world of musical theatre.  David is based in New York City and is currently on tour with the Bridges of Madison County.  We talk about his time at the Berklee College of Music and working as a bassist for Royal Caribbean, moving to New York City and getting involved with the theatre scene, a week in the life of a theatre musician, developing networking skills, and much more.  Enjoy!

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223: Katie Ernst on Singing, Jazz Bass, and Creativity

Jazz bassist and vocalist Katie Ernst is today's podcast guest

Jazz bassist and vocalist Katie Ernst is today’s podcast guest

Today’s episode features jazz bassist and vocalist Katie Ernst.  Katie was recently featured in the Chicago Reader, and Jason Moran describes her as “a great bassist, composer, and lyricist, she has an uncanny ability to mix traditions… following her voice is like reading a great novel.”  She is one of Chicago’s most active young bassists, with two recent album releases: her solo project Little Words and her trio album Twin Talk.

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216: Todd Coolman on jazz bass lines, recording projects, and classical foundations

Jazz double bassist Todd Coolman

Jazz double bassist Todd Coolman

Today’s podcast features an interview with Todd Coolman, who has just released his latest album Collectibles.  Todd is actually playing a CD release event tonight at Smoke Jazz Club in New York City to celebrate the release of the album, which also features Bill Cunliffe on piano and Dennis Mackrel on drums.  This is the second time Todd has appeared on the podcast—you can hear his interview with Win Hinkle in our archives.

Todd and I cover all sorts of interesting topics in this interview, including his experiences moving from a full-time faculty position down to part-time and the opportunities that opens up for him.  We talk about his classical foundation on the bass and dig into classical and jazz crossover and how lessons learned in one genre are valuable in the other.  We also talk about skills the modern music student needs to be successful and what colleges can do to help facilitate this, and we get into details about recording this new album.

If you enjoyed this episode, check out our interviews with Carlos Henriquez, Chuck Israels, Larry Gray, Ron Carter, Lynn Seaton, and Rufus Reid!

214: Terry Plumeri tribute

Today’s episode is a tribute to bassist, film composer, and conductor Terry Plumeri, who was found murdered in his home in Florida on April 1st of this year.  This episode features comments from former Terry Plumeri student Eric Swanson plus some recordings of Terry performing and conducting.  Learn more about Terry’s bass playing in this For Bass Players Only article.

Tracks featured:

bassist, composer, and conductor Terry Plumeri died on March 31, 2016

bassist, composer, and conductor Terry Plumeri died on March 31, 2016

205: Trevor Jones on musical pit work, scheduling creativity, and finding balance

Multi-talented double bassist Trevor Jones is today's featured guest.

Multi-talented double bassist Trevor Jones is today’s featured guest.

Today’s episode features double bassist Trevor Jones. It actually amazes me that this is the first time that Trevor has been on the podcast. Trevor kind of does it all: he studied classical bass with Rob Kassinger at DePaul University but got a music education degree as well He has played for years in the rock band Molehill but also maintains a full-time performing schedule as a theater musician, and he has a salaried double bass teaching job at Illinois Wesleyan University as well.

About Trevor:

Based in Chicago, independent artist Trevor Jones works in a variety of musical settings. He performs with regional orchestras throughout the Midwest. He has also recorded for numerous artists and has co-written and recorded three albums: Tin God, Equinox, and Hearts on Fire with his Chicago-based alternative rock group Molehill. Trevor is currently the Instructor of Double Bass at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Trevor is the upright and electric bassist at The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, IL. Highlights include Jeff®-Award Winning Musical Hero (2012) reprised in 2014 at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, FL. World Premiere of October Sky in Fall 2015. For the Glory with music by Tony Award® nominee Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel) at Majestic Theatre in Gettysburg, PA. Battlecry by Paul Bogaev (Aida, Spiderman).

Trevor grew up in Gettysburg, PA and studied double bass with Duane Botterbusch of the Harrisburg Symphony and continued with Andrew Kohn at West Virginia University where he earned a degree in Music Education. In 2009 he completed his Master’s degree in Music Performance at DePaul University where he studied with Rob Kassinger of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. While studying at DePaul, Trevor performed with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

Trevor’s alternative rock project Molehill performs at some of Chicago’s most prominent venues and tours throughout the country. Highlights include appearances at CBS Studio Chicago, Summerfest, SXSW, and Canadian Music Week. Trevor was awarded an ASCAP+ Award for his songwriting with Molehill.

Trevor is in demand as an educator in the Chicago area and maintains a studio at Midwest Young Artists, the preeminent youth music program in the Midwest. Trevor’s former students are currently studying at Eastman School of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, and Oberlin Conservatory among others.