Barrie Kolstein featured on Contrabass Conversations this weekend

We’re featuring Barrie Kolstein on Contrabass Conversations this week. One of the most prominent and influential figures in the double bass community, Barrie was a real treat to interview, and co-host John Grillo and I really had a blast chatting with him. In...

Revisiting the ‘Amati’ bass

I had the good fortune to be asked to perform a recital in 2006 on Gary Karr’s former bass, formerly attributed to Amati and previously owned by the great Serge Koussevitzky. This recital happened in the very early days of my blogging, and though I covered it...

Staring at a Sea of Surly Violas

Though it chagrins me to admit it, I’ve recommended friends and colleagues for musical activities that are simply impossible. Whether passing a wretched gig to an unsuspecting bassist hungry for work or giving out a colleague’s name to a bass student who...

Zen & Music Education

This is a post from double bassist and music educator Peter Tambroni. Peter is currently a string teacher in suburban Chicago where he teaches string lessons in grades 3 – 8 and conduct the middle school concert and chamber orchestras. He also leads an Irish...

Fundraiser for jazz bassist Dennis Irwin

International Society of Bassists manager Madeleine Crouch recently sent out the following information regarding jazz bassist Dennis Irwin: Jazz icon Dennis Irwin, bassist with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (formerly the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Band) for more than 20...