Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

1036: Matt Rybicki on learning jazz bass

Matt Rybicki  has performed with renowned artists like Wynton Marsalis and played at esteemed venues from The Village Vanguard to international concert halls. He balances an active performance schedule with his roles as a faculty member at The Juilliard School and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. 

Matt recently started a YouTube Channel titled Learn Jazz Bass with Matt Rybicki, which digs into all kinds of insights into jazz bass for players of all levels.

We talk about the inspiration for starting this channel, what it has been like making weekly videos, and much more.  Enjoy!

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Thank you to our sponsor!

Dorico – This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music.

The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com

1035: Dominik Wagner on his double bass journey

Dominik Wagner is one of the world’s leading double bassists and has built a remarkable career as a soloist and educator.  He has begun hosting long-form interviews on his YouTube Channel with bassists such as Christoph Wimmer and Jeff Bradetich.

We cover Dominik’s latest projects, the inspiration for these long-form interviews, working through focal dystonia, and much more.  Enjoy!

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

Connect with us:

Thank you to our sponsor!

Dorico – This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music.

The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com

1034: Adnata Ensemble on their bass quartet album

Bassists Ari Folman-Cohen, Michael Isvara Montgomery, Ran Livneh, and Scott Colberg make up the Adnata Ensemble, which has just released their debut album Oku.  We dig into the story behind this bass quartet, coming together in the park in 2020, how these collaborations led to this album, and much more.

Check out Oku here, and be sure to give this quartet a follow on Instagram! 

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

Connect with us:

Thank you to our sponsor!

Dorico – This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music.

The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com

1033: Sam Loeck on his audition path

Sam Loeck was recently appointed Principal Bass of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra. Before this position, he served as Principal Bass of the Calgary Philharmonic. He was also a finalist and trialist for Principal Bass of the London Symphony Orchestra.

We dig into Sam’s path into the double bass world and his auditioning journey, exploring the twists, turns, and lessons learned. Enjoy!

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

Connect with us:

Thank you to our sponsor!

Dorico – This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music.

The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com

1032: Stephen Tramontozzi on Basso Novo

In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of Stephen Tramontozzi’s new solo double bass album, Basso Novo. Tramontozzi shares the three-fold mission behind the album: to uncover and bring to light underappreciated works for the double bass, to transcribe works from other instruments for the double bass, and to commission new works for the instrument.

This is his fourth and most ambitious recording project to date, with all tracks designed for solo double bass and featuring contemporary works. Among the highlights, Tramontozzi commissioned Larry Wolfe from the Boston Symphony Orchestra for a suite, “Blomidon Set,” inspired by Bach suites but adding a twist from Celtic, Scottish, Irish, and Acadian fiddler traditions.

An exciting addition to the album is “The Earth and Stars,” written by a talented composition student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, José Vargas. This piece, which Tramontozzi premiered in the previous year, stands out as the only track where he used his orchestra tuned bass.

The album also features other important works like “Ballade” by Ranjbaran, written for the 1999 International Society of Bassists solo competition, “Hommage a J.S. Bach” by Zbinden, and Berio’s short gem “Psy.” Join us as we explore the rich sounds and captivating stories behind Basso Novo.

Check out the sheet music for Blomidon Set here, and be sure to check out the latest album on Apple Music and Spotify!

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

Connect with us:

Thank you to our sponsor!

Dorico – This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music.

The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com