Contrabass Conversations Episode 17 – Interview with Andrew Anderson Part 3 and music of Gunnelpumpers
The next episode of Contrabass Conversations is now available for your listening pleasure. This episode features a talk with Lyric Opera of Chicago bassist Andy Anderson and music from the double and electric bass band Gunnelpumpers. Enjoy!
CBC 17 Show Notes
Episode Length: 47:12
Release Date: 4/22/07
Website: www.contrabassconversations.com
Blog: www.doublebassblog.com
Voicemail: 206-666-6509
E-Mail: contrabassconversations@gmail.com
Podcast t-shirts, hats, and more: www.cafepress.com/doublebass
Music from the Gunnelpumpers: www.myspace.com/gunnelpumpers
Interview with Andrew Anderson Part 3
News and Notes
My Take a Friend to Orchestra Initiative essay was just published on Adaptistration, a great blog on the changing face of the modern orchestra authored by Drew McManus.
Click below for my article:
http://www.artsjournal.com/adaptistration/archives/2007/04/tafto_2007_cont_25.html
The contributors included:
· Paul Alter: Retired multimedia training specialist, practicing music addict [bio]
· Galen Brown: Composer and Sequenza21.com blogger [bio]
· Andrew Druckenbrod: Classical Music Critic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette [bio]
· Bill Harris: Systems Dynamics Expert and orchestra enthusiast [bio]
· Jason Heath: Bassist & author of Jason Heath’s Double Bass Blog [bio]
· Magda Krance: Manager of Media Relations, Lyric Opera of Chicago [bio]
· Frank J. Oteri: AMC Composer Advocate & Founding Editor, NewMusicBox [bio]
· Jim Palermo: General Director, Grant Park Music Festival [bio]
· Henry Peyrebrune: Bassist, Cleveland Orchestra [bio]
· Jesse Rosen: Executive Vice President and Managing Director, ASOL [bio]
· Roger Ruggeri: Bassist, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra [bio]
· Leonard Slatkin: Musician [bio]
· Michael Tiknis: Managing Director,
· Connie Linsler Valentine: Executive Director, Nashville Chamber Orchestra [bio]
· Kim Pensinger Witman: Director, Wolf Trap Opera & Classical Programming [bio]
-great response on the Francois Rabbath episode last week
-we’ve got the second half of that coming up
-our interview with National Symphony Orchestra bassist Ira Gold will continue next week
-later this week I plan on releasing the next recital showcase featuring Phillip Serna playing music of Brahms, Misek, Hertl, and Rachmaninoff
-I describe how these recital showcases work and how special episodes versus regular episodes will work
What is Gunnelpumping?
Gunnelpumping is the act of standing on the lip (gunnel) at the stern of a canoe and propelling the craft forward by pumping up and down with only your legs. It’s quite ungainly and requires great balance, coordination, and is potentially very dangerous.
And how exactly does this relate to music?
Gunnelpumpers bring this experience to their music. Three upright bassists (Chicago Symphony member, a top Chicago-area freelancer, and a relocated New Orleans cataclysminite) paired with two world-class hand percussionists (Las Toillitas, C.U.B.E. Ensemble) and electric guitar bring to life improvised instrumental music drawing on world, trance, rock, classical, jazz and experimental traditions, resulting in music that makes it difficult to sit completely still.
Once Gunnelpumpers start to play, they tend to keep going and – in true gunnelpumping fashion – try not to fall off. But, yes, sometimes they do tend to go overboard.
Official Bio
Gunnelpumpers was founded by bassist/composer Douglas Johnson and percussionist Randy Farr in 2002. They had met through the band, Las Toillitas, of which Randy was a member and Doug occasionally sat in with. Soon afterwards, another Las Toillitan, percussionist Douglas Brush, and Chicago Symphony bassist Michael Hovnanian joined the group. Finally, in 2006, guitarist John Meyer and bassist, composer and Katrina cataclysminite Matthew Golombisky completed the group. Their first several performances were benefit concerts for the Treehouse Animal Foundation, but now can be heard at several area clubs and events. Gunnelpumpers currently hosts the Infrasonic Sound Series monthly at the Muse Cafe in
At the heart of Gunnelpumpers is the spirit of improvisation, and each musician brings a wide range of influences to create a unique and compelling sound. By nature Gunnelpumpers defies labels, but perhaps electro-tribal improv best describes the myriad of styles they draw from, which ranges from classical, to rock, jazz to minimalism, and Indian, African,
Gunnelpumpers have been the guest music ensemble for the Dutch National Ballet Project, as well as Dance Chicago and the Dutch National Ballet. They were featured in the Summer, 2006, issue of Double Bassist magazine, as well as the Sept/Oct 2006 issue of Zero Tolerance Magazine, both
Tracks Played:
D’Bass
Earthing
Andrew Anderson Interview Part 3
-Andy discusses his practice habits leading up to his successful auditions for the Grant Park Symphony and the Lyric Opera of Chicago
-pure warm-up and technique exercises versus warming up on repertoire
Listener Feedback:
Audio feedback from Phillip Serna
…from Benjy:
Hello Jason;
I am a bassist and have just discovered your website. Keep up the good work and if you ever need anything from the other side of the
Benjy
….from Ben Huff:
Hi Jason,
Just wanted to let you know how much I’ve really enjoyed these last couple of podcasts! I wasn’t really that familiar with Francois Rabbath before hearing this podcast, but after hearing you (and him) sounding so enthusiastic about his special approach to the bass, I’ve decided to do some research and see if I can include any of his techniques into my own playing. I was curious though, did Ira Gold record the entire Vanhal Concerto? The 3rd movement in his interview was so great, I’d love to hear the whole concerto if he made a recording of it. Thanks for making such a great show!
Ben
….from George Vance:
Thanks for putting the link to my web site on your site re recordings of Rabbath.
George Vance
…..from Nick Scales:
Hi Jason,
I have been meaning to write in and say how impressed I am with your site
and your work. If you are half as motivated in you playing as you have been
with this undertaking, I will look forward to your being in the National
bass spotlight very soon!!
Has the ISB done an article on your site yet?? It would be a consideration
for sure.
Congrats! Nick Scales
….from Jeff Weisner
Hello Jason -
It’s ironic that I finally get around to writing to you on the day you post on your blog about getting more feedback…. We haven’t met, but I read your blog and enjoy your posts. Ira Gold has also said great things about you.
….from Robert Oppelt:
Well done. You’ve got a great thing going and I’m sure it takes a tremendous amount of your time. A tremendous contribution…
Visit his site at http://www.robertoppelt.com/index.html
…from Tyler Abbot:
Dear Jason,
I am a freelance bassist living out in
of your online resources and wanted to thank you for all of your work. It
is really informative and, believe it or not, inspiring (“You mean other
people deal with the same stuff I do?”).
Thanks again,
Tyler Abbott
…from Rainer Lewalter:
Hi Jason,
thanks for responding so quickly! Gives me an opportunity to say thank
you again, because that Rabbath interview is just beautiful.
Sign Off
We’ll see you next week for more life on the low end of the spectrum!
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