CBC 141: David Grossman interview
This week’s episode of Contrabass Conversations features an interview with double bassist David Grossman, a member of the New York Philharmonic bass section and an active jazz bassist. Hosted by John Grillo, this interview covers David’s early musical experiences, his dual interest in jazz and classical music, current projects, his philosophy and approach as a teacher, and a variety of other topics.
About David:
Bassist David J. Grossman began playing with the New York Philharmonic as its youngest member in December 1999 before graduating from The Juilliard School in May 2000. Born and educated in New York City, Mr. Grossman has performed as double bassist and pianist in orchestral, chamber, and jazz venues worldwide. He is a member of the double bass faculties of the Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School, and regularly gives master classes across the country. (view complete bio)
Tracks featured:
- Thirds The Charm – from The Bass Of Both Worlds Jazz (iTunes link)
- Janacek: Pohadka (Fairy Tale) Mvt. 3 – from The Bass Of Both Worlds Classical (iTunes link)
More information on David’s recordings is available on his website davidjgrossman.com.
Other John Grillo-hosted podcasts:
- Ed Barker interview
- The State of the Orchestra
- Differences in Opera and Orchestra Playing
- Opera Excerpt Breakdown
- Orchestral Excerpt Breakdown
- Owen Lee interview
- Max Dimoff interview
- Dan Krekeler interview
- Ranaan Meyer interview
- Lawrence Hurst interview
- Jack Budrow interview
- Barrie Kolstein interview
- John Grillo Recital Showcase
- John Grillo interview
CBC 137: Todd Coolman interview
We’re featuring an interview with jazz bassist Todd Coolman on the podcast. This episode is guest hosted by double bassist Win Hinkle, who interviewed Rufus Reid previously for Contrabass Conversations as well.
After listening to this interview, I went out and downloaded Perfect Strangers, Todd’s newest album, and I highly recommend it to listeners. Truly top-notch and extremely enjoyable playing all around! We’ll begin today’s episode with a brief excerpt from Crescent City Ditty, and well conclude with Todd’s bass solo from Connotation. Both excerpts are from Todd’s new album and you can find it on iTunes here.
CBC 129: Steve LaSpina (video)
I got a chance to record double bassist Steve LaSpina’s performance at the 2009 International Society of Bassists Convention, and I was really blown away by his great bass playing and te energy of his trio.
About Steve:
Steve LaSpina has been a prominent bassist on the New York and national scene for over twenty years. During that time, he has played and recorded with many great musicians in jazz history. He was a regular band member, toured and recorded with saxophonists Benny Carter, Stan Getz and Phil Woods, vocalists Joe Williams and Mark Murphy, trumpeters Clark Terry, Chet Baker and Randy Brecker, and guitarist Pat Martino. He has spent the last decade traveling around the world and recording with the legendary guitarist Jim Hall, has appeared on six of his recordings, including These Rooms featuring Tom Harrell.
Steve performs on a Wan Bernadel bass from the String Emporium, which is a sponsor for doublebassblog.org and Contrabass Conversations. We thank the String Emporium for their continued sponsorship and encourage folks to check out their instruments (they also have good deals on bows) if they like what they hear from Steve in the following video:
CBC 126: Art Davis retrospective
We’re featuring a guest interview by bassist Tim Wolfe, Jr. interviewing his former teacher Jim Miller about Art Davis. Tim and Jim discuss Art Davis’ life, career, and pedagogical approach. They discuss Art’s book and his four-finger approach to the double bass, among other subjects.
We’re also featuring excerpts from “Duo,” a track from the Art Davis Quartet album Life and featuring Art Davis, John Hicks, Idris Muhammad & Pharoah Sanders. This album (along with other music from Art’s considerable career) is available through iTunes.
Tim also created a timeline (PDF) detailing milestones in Art’s career:
Classic Post: Rufus Reid interview
Our interview with jazz bass legend Rufus Reid, conducted by Win Hinkle, has proven to be one of our most popular episodes of Contrabass Conversations (along with our Steve Rodby interview, which was guest hosted by Kells Nollenberger–the popularity of these interviews shows that maybe I should stay off the mic!).
Interview Link (redirects to CBC site)
About Rufus Reid:
Born on February 10, 1944 in Atlanta, GA., Rufus Reid was raised in Sacramento, California where he played the trumpet through junior high and high school. Upon graduation from Sacramento High School, he entered the United States Air Force as a trumpet player. During that period he began to be seriously interested in the bass. After fulfilling his duties in the military, Rufus had decided he wanted to pursue a career as a professional bassist. He moved to Seattle, Washington, where he began serious study with James Harnett of the Seattle Symphony. He continued his education at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he studied with Warren Benfield and principal bassist, Joseph Guastefeste, both of the Chicago Symphony. He graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Music Degree as a Performance Major on the Double Bass.
The MidAtlantic Arts Foundation awarded Rufus The 2005 Mellon Jazz Living Legacy Award for his dedication to America’s National Cultural Treasure: Jazz, for his personal and professional commitment to Jazz Education in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The International Society of Bassists presented Rufus with their highest honor, The Distinguished Achievement Award, in 2001. The New Jersey Chapter of the IAJE named him OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR of 1999. The International Association of Jazz Educators awarded Rufus the Humanitarian Award in 1997 BASS PLAYER magazine, awarded Rufus the 1998 Jazz Educator Achievement Award.
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