I had a comment recently regarding Contrabass Conversations that really hit on something that bugs me about the bass world. The commenter (who left it anonymously–something that I find irritating) asked why I don’t feature more Europeans on the podcast.
For the record, I really want to increase the coverage of European bassists on the podcast., and I know that I’ve got a grand total of one European bassist on the program so far. This is a high priority for me. Here’s the comment from the listener followed by my reaction (which I included in the audio for CBC 93):
I think that you dont give enough tension to the “Bass culture” in Europe.
Its not enouth to post only ONE POINT OF VIEW of the bass playing in europe or even in America.
In the case of Doublebass virtuoso Guy Tuneh which is a symbol of a very unique way of playing, “No Limit” & dedication spirit, it is clear(& good so) why you wish to show him and to give him the stage in your blog (clear – he is phenomenal!).
Guy Tuneh was the one who pushed (with his way of playing) so many other bassplayers to go the way of Solo and Chamber music, (pure individualism) without to be in an Orchestra before, against this old way of thinking that bassplayer can play only in an Orchestra.he gave so many musicians the power and the courage to do so, to stand by what is for them importent, But NEVER DISRESPECTED other bass players who chose to play in an Orchestra or to do other things, etc.
But what about the others?
Patkolo is showing about perfect playing – What about his way of Teaching???, Ruiz is an Amazing bassist that showes that it is possible to do both; Orchestra and Solo playing (let us hope that for long time),
His Ex boss – Mr. Nabil Shehata that is no longer a member of the Berlin Philharmonic, is following Tuneh’s way of life: Solo but try to Conduct along teaching.
Gaidos – one of the greatests bass players, composer, a Big Teacher and performer. Please post more from him! (Interview?) and others from that side of Europe.
The Great Furtok: Great pure Bass playing what about an Interview?
Wolfgang Güttler – One of the Teachers of the LEGEND Ovidiu Badila, and many other, (like: Furtok, etc.) what about Interview?
What about some Jazz bassplayers like Avishay Choen from Israel?
So much to show about, its never ending but please, bass playing is not only Solo individualism, what about the “Normal” bass
players like me, Orchestra musicians and others.
What about the bass Makers of europe?…
What about Teachres in Europe?…
What about the tradition in Europe…?
What about Jordi savall…? (Could be cool for bassists also)
Its clear, you would like to “show off” with your own people,
but we have our good and many sides also.
Just think about it, and thank you again for your time and for this post!
My response:
OK, these are good points, but first of all, look–I’m only one guy, and I’ve got a million things on my plate, so it’s very challenging to find any time to do any interviews at all. I’ll be taking full advantage of the ISB convention next summer and do interviews with as wide a segment of the bass community as possible, though I realize that this event, though called the “International” society of bassists, is in fact pretty heavily skewed toward the American side of things (being based in the US, with conventions taking place largely in the US).
This raises a larger issue, however, and it is one that I think the podcast can really help rectify. While organizations like Thierry Barbé’s ABCDF and online resources like xBass.org have helped to bridge the gap between European and American double bassists, more needs to be done. With doublebassblog.org, I’m trying to address this, and I would absolutely love to make Contrabass Conversations a more international program as well. We have tons of listeners all over the globe (I’m frequently contacted by listeners from every imaginable corner of the world), and broadening the nationality of our guests is a high priority for me. The easy access the internet provides makes podcasting the perfect distribution choice for an international show like Contrabass Conversations.
Judging by the huge reception we’ve gotten from our interviews with François Rabbath and Guy Tuneh, listeners are clamoring for more European guests, and I would love to provide that. The big issues are time and my lack of personal relationships overseas.
When I started the podcast (and you can go back in the episode archives to see what I mean), it wasn’t even Ameri-centric but Chicago-centric. Over 50% of our first 20 episodes featured people from Chicago, for crying out loud!
Look, I’m the type of guy that likes to feature people he knows. I have definitely put a ton of people I’ve never met before on in the past, and I will certainly continue to do so, but I just want to give you an indication of where I’m coming from.
I am 100% into massively broadening the scope of our guests, but I need your help for that. As I said before, I’m simply one overworked guy with more on his plate than I can handle, and I could really use some volunteer hosts to do interviews.
I am calling out to you, the podcast audience, you bass players from all over the globe. There are a lot of you out there! If you want to interview a bassist that you think would be a good guest for the show, please consider doing an interview with them. I can provide you with more details if you’re interested, but all I really need is an MP3 of the interview and we’re good to go.
Both Win Hinkle (with Rufus Reid) and Kells Nollenberger (with Steve Rodby) have done guest interviews, and bassist John Grillo has hosted a dozen or so with me, so I am clearly all about collaboration. This isn’t my show–it’s our show, and the door is totally open for all the ideas that this listener suggested. I’ll put links to your website and give you credit for the interview all over the site, and if there’s something you’d like to promote at the same time (your university, bass product, retail outlet, or something like that) I’ll happily do so.
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It’s really unfortunate that you received that kind of criticism. I would think that 99.9 percent of the bass players out there really appreciate what you’re doing…It seems like the anonymous poster had something more against North America versus anything to do with bass playing and how you run your show…Once again, thank you for everything you do, I most certainly could not pull it off.
You’re totally valid in not letting this get to you. It always strikes me as odd that someone would have the audacity to 1) get angry and 2) express that anger about a website like this. You provide a free service with no obligations or attachments – why would anyone complain about that? They should be thanking you it exists and accept whatever they get, period. With that said, you provide clear, well-written, levelheaded thinking and writing with interesting thoughts that far surpass the blog standard these days. Really it’s like going into a poetry reading and asking why the poet couldn’t read something different, like “why haven’t you experienced anything else so you can write about it! You should see more of the world and more of life so you can write poetry about MY part of the world and life!”
Long story short: If you want a blog about _(insert specific subject here)__, and there isn’t one around to read, go start one. Welcome to the internet.
Here I (as a german bassist) want to give a statement from the European part of your readers (and please excuse my wrong English): I cant´t understand, why someone critizes the fact, that there are very less articles about “european” themes and bass players / teachers. All what you say in your respond should have been clear for everybody before it was written! And, Jason, don´t be irritated! You make a very good job, but you can´t tell us from things in Europe, when you aren´t there! These things must come from us out of Europe! And I know from personal experience – you publish what is coming from otherwhere immediately – inclusively critics as we see here. The better way would have been to make suggestions like what about an interview with this teacher or that player! And by the way: Dear bass players! If you want to see, hear or read special things in Jason´s blog and podcast, make it yourself! and Jason will publish it here if it is not too bad! (Yes, I can imagine how some people swing their arms up and think cruel things about me, because it is everytime the same: Selfmaking brings oneself in a position where one could be critisized, then it is much more easier to critisize others!) Basst 😀 wishes to all and Jason, go ahead as you did!
PS: As an example of american-european cooperation you can watch on youtube 2 videos I made playing with the American Mike Curtis on his visit this summer at my home. You find the videos when you put in the keywords “mike curtis clarinet”. Have fun!
Jason,
It’s sad to see you so upset about this comment – I think that what we are seeing here is firstly a recognition of the thorough and impressive job you have done in addressing the needs of the American bass community. As others have said, there isn’t exactly a European Jacques Heath on the beat there soaking up the scene…and besides, it’s not exactly a homogeneous scene in Europe – there are language barriers and tremendous cultural heritages that extend back much further than American orchestras…who could manage that anyway?! When Rabbath came to Chicago, who was on top of it? You, my man!
I think you would do well even to aggressively market yourself as the number one source of American double bass news, insight, and resources. That is really something to be envied!
Maybe you could franchise doublebassblog into German, Russian, French, English sites, but don’t beat yourself up over only covering one of the biggest classical music scenes in the Western hemisphere!
Best
Brent
Dear Jason,
Don’t take these things so seriouly. Everyone in Chicago knows you’re a fine bassist-that should be enouph. I am an extremely religous person and have prayed on this. I believe even God needs a hobby. He told me that he really likes those Bullit trains in Europe, but he doesn’t speak the language. I did not understand this, so I contacted one of my former teachers. I believe even God makes mistakes. He said that it was a big mistake to put a women in charge of nature. He just thought that “Mother Nature” sounded so cool. Now we know better. Keep the faith!
Tony
Hello Jason;
As you know, I have contributed a few articles for your blog, and although American, I have been living in Europe long enough to consider myself European as well. It is disgraceful and inadmissible for me to imagine that someone in my part of the world is capable of attacking you with such textual rubbish your this site.
Don’t let this affect you. There are ways for one to let off steam and still get the message across, even with his broken English (which I am not criticizing!) Maybe this brainless wonder should go back to elementary school and learn politeness, respect toward others, and communal effort.
This chauvinistic chicken seems to forget that only a few years ago, no such thing as Internet existed. Has he overlooked the fact of how this marvelous tool has changed our lives completely and made it possible for anyone to connect and reconnect in any field? Try and imagine what the world was like before! No bass blogs, no contrabass conversations, no frustrated wet noodle anonymous unknowns, jealously expressing their opinions on a democratic website.
We are all taking part in the development of instant fingertip information wherever and whenever we want it. Patience is the key to linking continents to one another. Think about it–if this dude were to start his own blog and interview just European bassists, he would not only find it difficult to reach across the seas, but in the long run, he’d be scolded for his “national preferences” in the very same way!
Jason your work is outstanding and your blog is the best on the net. Anyone who rants about what you do, should get out of the music business altogether and head for their true vocation- writing reviews for concerts. Critics are to musicians what pigeons are to town statues; so let’s just brush off this guy’s verbal poop.
It is obvious that Mr. Anonymous shall remain just that- unknown and afraid to show his real identity. Kind of ironic isn’t it?– any of us in the bass world would never think twice about commenting and then hiding in a cave- it’s against our nature as bassists.
The only good thing that we can derive about this fool’s controversy, is that his list of great virtuosi bassists will at least NEVER include his name!
Why he needs to use names like Guy Tuneh, Patkolo, Badila and so on to make his point??
Tuneh and Co. are standing on stage, strong to get any boom from everyone out there!
he sould also do this!
Show your name, learn from the people that you used their name!