It was a pleasure to attend the 2019 Rabbath Institute Los Angeles (RILA). This was the third year for this weeklong event, which is hosted by Cielito de Jesus and featured guest artists from across the globe.
Unlike other double bass events, Cielito’s Rabbath Institute is dedicated to celebrating the music and teachings of Francois Rabbath, one of the most influential double bassists of the past century.
About Cielito de Jesus
Born in the Philippines, Cielito de Jesus emigrated to the United States where she began her formative musical training with Nico Abondolo at the Colburn School of Music. She drew inspiration from teachers Dennis Trembly and David Young before spending time in Paris to study with François Rabbath and Thierry Barbé.
In 2001, she earned her Bachelor’s of Music degree under the tutelage of Patrick Neher at the University of Arizona. In 2005, Cielito returned to France and received a teaching diploma from François Rabbath’s l’Institut Internationale de Contrebasse de Paris.
I had the chance to interview Cielito in 2018 for my Contrabass Conversations podcast. We talked about teaching, the Rabbath method, and much more. You can listen below or click here to download it and listen later.
About Francois Rabbath’s Approach
The influence that Francois Rabbath has had on the modern double bass world is profound. While his early albums turned heads worldwide, his groundbreaking Nouvelle Technique reshaped how double bassists thought of the instrument.
The double bass world has never been the same since, with countless influential bassists flocking to Paris to study with Francois, then going out to spread the word about how one might think of approaching the double bass technically and musically.
Rabbath’s pedagogy has been incorporated deeply into young bassist eduction through the work of George Vance, who took Rabbath’s approach to the instrument and fused it brilliantly with Suzuki pedagogy.
The resulting set of books was Progressive Repertoire, which has been instrumental in shaping the the latest generation of young bass players.
RILA 2019 Faculty Line-Up
- Cielito de Jesus – event organizer and Los Angeles area double bass teacher
- Jean-Philippe Viret – composer, jazz bassist, and founding member of l’Orchestre De Contrabasses
- Patrick Neher – composer and former bass faculty at University of Arizona
- David Young – Colburn School bass teacher and LA Opera principal bass
- Johnny Hamil – KC Bass Workshop founder and Kansas City area bassist and teacher
- Kate Jones – Suzuki bass teacher and teacher trainer
Brandino
We were also joined by fellow Eastman Strings artist and seven time Grammy winner Brandino for a special clinic on Thursday.
Brandino dug into a number of topics, including:
- Getting a call for a session – what you need to know
- Brandino’s two five string double basses
- Phrasing Brandino’s Concerto De Basso both pizzicato and arco
- What it’s like working with artists like Will IAM, OutKast, and Justin Timberlake
Spending Time with Jean-Philippe Viret
I was thrilled to be able to spend some time with the fascinating French bassist and composer Jean-Philippe Viret. Jean-Philippe was one of the founding members of l’Orchestre De Contrabasses, which were a pioneering bass ensemble for several decades.
I was captivated several years ago hearing their rendition of Bass, Bass, Bass, Bass, Bass, and Bass (gotta love that name!).
Here’s a video of them performing this piece, and you can hear Jean-Philippe tying the ensemble together with his distinctive ostinato percussive grove.
A Look at the Week’s Schedule
Monday, June 17 – Thursday, June 20
Monday through Thursday featured a similar schedule, providing the students with a wide variety of musical learning styles. Warm-ups, master classes, and bass ensembles were divided into skill level, and the bass orchestra combined all students and faculty into a mass ensemble:
- Morning warm-ups
- Masterclasses
- Bass ensembles
- Bass orchestra
- Solo recitals from faculty
I didn’t arrive until Thursday, so I missed quite a few great recitals, but I caught Jean-Philippe’s recital and Johnny Hamil’s recital.
Jean-Philippe played several solo works, including a completely improvised piece. I loved hearing him explore a variety of different sonic palettes to paint a complex audio world, with multiple voices coming from various plucked and bowed techniques.
Johnny has been creating some really interesting solo albums with his GAWD project, and he recreated some selections using electronics, double bass, and electric bass.
After the faculty recitals, the faculty ensemble got together to rehearse their pieces for the finale concert.
Friday, June 21
Friday was concert day, and it began with the faculty ensemble rehearsing that evening’s selections. We then rehearsed the bass orchestra, trying to figure out exactly how to fit all of the bass players on stage without blocking’s anyone. Easier said than done…
After that, all off the student ensembles rehearsed their pieces, and I was honored to be recruited as narrator for Kate Jones’ ensemble, who collectively put together a piece titled “The Tale That Is Not At All Weird Nor Wacky, But Instead Totally Normal.” Love it!
The program started at 6 pm. Here’s what it included:
Student Bass Ensembles
Johnny Hamil’s Group
- Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart, arr. by Johnny Hamil
- Another One Bites the Dust by Queen, arr. by Johnny Hamil
Kate Jones’ Group:
- The Tale That Is Not At All Weird Nor Wacky, But Instead Totally Normal
David Young’s Group:
- French Folk Song arr. by George Vance
- Joshua arr. by David Young
Jean-Philippe Viret’s Group:
- Yin-Yang (original composition by Jean-Philippe and both group members)
Faculty Bass Ensemble
- Danny Bass by Patrick Neher
- Hungarian Dance by Brahms, arr. by David Young
- Merci, Francois (Souviens-toi!) by Patrick Neher
- Bass, Bass, Bass, Bass, Bass, and Bass By C. Gentet
Bass orchestra with all RILA bassists
- Yesterday by Lennon/McCartney arr. by George Vance
- Beret Buerre Cornichons by Jean-Philippe Viret
- Does Adele by Jean-Philippe Viret
- L’Odyssey d’Eau by Rabbath, arr. by Johnny Hamil
Final Thoughts
I’m so grateful to Cielito de Jesus for creating and hosting this valuable event. It’s a major positive new offering in the Southern California double bass world, and I love that it is focused on the teachings and approach of Francois Rabbath.
The students sounded great and were such fun to work with, and everyone obviously left the week inspired and rejuvenated by this positive experience. I can’t wait to hear about RILA 2020!
Also, a big shout-out to Morey’s Music of Lakewood, CA and the Schickler family for sponsoring the event, as well as Eastman Strings and everyone else who hosted, donated food, and helped to make the event happen this year.
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