Donovan Stokes: Marine Layer

Double bassist Donovan Stokes (a former Contrabass Conversations guest) is an eclectic artist who works in a variety of musical styles. Titled Marine Layer and written by Dnovan for double bass and echoplex, the following video is representative of Donovan’s...

Grand Rapids Symphony in peril

I’ve been corresponding with Paul Austin, a musician with the Grand Rapids Symphony and Co-Chair of the Negotiating Committee for this orchestra and Vice President of the Regional Orchestra Players’ Association (ROPA), and organization to which my Elgin...

The Minibass in action

Fellow Chicagoland bassists John Tuck and Steve Reinfranck pointed the site minibass.com out to me. This German compan specializes in making tiny bassists for young players. Check out the following montage featuring these minibasses in action:

Advice for young musicians from a seasoned veteran (not me!)

Australian double bassist Steve Abrahall wrote to me recently about a piece he wrote several years ago about how young musicians might want to approach the concept of practicing. Practicing is, of course, an essential part of each musician’s life, but the nuts...