Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

1077: Alexandre Piazza on the “three worlds” of electric bass, jazz, and classical

Today’s episode features Brazilian bassist and educator Alexandre Piazza.  Alexandre was a bass teacher in Saarbrücken, Germany, and has a YouTube Channel with lessons on how to play acoustic and electric bass, equipment reviews, and videos about his life as a musician and music teacher in Germany and Brazil.

We dig into his experiences studying and teaching in Germany, the inspiration for his YouTube Channel, the “three different worlds” of electric bass, jazz, and classical, and how he approaches teaching young people.

Enjoy, and be sure to give Alexandre a follow on Instagram!

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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!

1076: Yuka Tadano’s Musical Odyssey to 1st call Broadway Bassist

In today’s episode, Yuka Tadano shares her musical journey. Starting with her current gigs, including a new Broadway show, “Swept Away,” and preparing for a cast album of “Suffs,” she reflects on her extensive experience in musical theater.

Yuka discusses her involvement in several productions, including the Neil Diamond show “Beautiful Noise.” She also touches on her passion for jazz, her educational background at the University of North Texas, and her transition to New York’s vibrant scene.

We also discuss the blend of stability and uncertainty in a musician’s life, her experiences with both electric and acoustic bass, and the importance of creativity and attention to detail. Don’t miss this conversation with one of Broadway’s first-call bassists.

Enjoy, and check out Yuka’s CASE-4-BASS interview to learn more about her electric bass great and playing.

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Connect with us:

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!

1075: Redefining Classical Music with Kebra-Seyoun Charles

This episode is an in-depth and inspiring conversation with 2022 Sphinx Competition winner Kebra-Seyoun Charles (they/them), a classical bassist and composer renowned for overcoming barriers and diversifying the landscape of classical music.

As a modern virtuoso and composer of concerti, ballets, and pop ballads, Kebra’s music has been praised for its “buoyancy and verve — pushing the far reaches of tonality while savoring hummable grooves” (ICareIfYouListen). A rising star and advocate for a more inclusive classical music community, The Strad confirms that “Versatility defines Charles’s approach.”

We cover their musical journey, the importance of inclusive music education, experiences with stage fright and imposter syndrome, and the critical role of classical music in today’s world. Kebra-Seyoun also shares insights into their creative process, the impact of mentorship, and the goal of merging classical music with mainstream culture.

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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!

1074: 2024 in review and looking ahead to 2025

We take a look back at 2024 and discuss plans for 2025 in today’s episode.

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Connect with us:

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.

1073: Sidney King on his multifaceted career

In this episode, acclaimed double bassist, composer, and arranger Sidney King discusses his busy fall filled with outreach events, master classes, and student recitals at the University of Louisville. 

Sidney highlights his collaborations, notably with flamenco guitarist Gareth Jones, and shares insights into his compositions for orchestras, educational groups, and church services. 

He emphasizes the importance of community and education in his work and the success he’s found in making his compositions accessible through his new website.

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

Connect with us:

Thank you to our sponsors!

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.