African Bassists

In my research for this post, I wasn't surprised to find someone had already done what I was trying to do: compile a list of amazing bassists from Africa. The article posted at afropop.org is more comprehensive than what I would have put together, so in addition to the videos I had ready to go, I'll just add some that they left off.

Spotlight on African Bass Players

Armand Sabal-Lecco - Cameroon 

From StanleyClarke.com: Armand Sabal-Lecco is a virtuoso artist, composer, singer and internationally acclaimed bass superstar. His massive list of worldwide credits include Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Sir George Martin, Seal, Herbie Hancock, Christina Aguilera, Jeff Beck, Carole King, Brian Wilson, Ray Charles, Ringo Starr and Celine Dion.

Sabal-Lecco's compositions for John Pattitucci's "Another World" led to Grammy nominations in 1994, and he has been honored by the National Academy of Recording Artists and Sciences for his work on the Brecker Brothers Grammy Winner "Out of the Loop", as well as the hit 2002 Latin Grammy "Alejandro Sanz Unplugged".
http://www.myspace.com/armandsaballecco 

Habib Faye - Senegal (Mickey Hart, Zawinul, Chet Atkins, Mark Knopfler, Branford Marsalis, David Sanborn)
http://www.habibfaye.net/
http://www.myspace.com/habibfaye


Isildo Novela - Mozambique
http://www.myspace.com/isildonovela


more videos after the jump

Phish

Since they announced dates to their summer tour, how 'bout a nice video!

Happy St. Patty's Day / Dave Mark

In celebration of Saint Patrick, today's post will highlight Irish bassist Dave Marks, a hot-shot in the London scene.  He also teaches at the ICMP and has been a longtime contributor to Bass Guitar Magazine.  His web site is loaded with great material: interviews, lessons, transcriptions, and more- all totally free!  His YouTube channel is an amazing resource.  He offers live band videos, solos, and classic basslines; discusses concepts like gear, improv, and bad habits; and most importantly gives lessons: scales, ska, funk, and a fantastic 9-part series on walking basslines. 

Dave's solo version of "Message in a Bottle" is a bag o' swhag!


And to represent my home state of Georgia, I have to post one of his bands covering the soulful Ray Charles.


More St. Patty's fun after the jump!

Terrapin's Georgia Theatre Sessions Party

This doesn't have anything to do with bass, but these two companies are close to my heart.

The official release party of Terrapin's "The Iron Tankard".

After tapping the cask of Terrapin's Old Stock Ale at 7 PM at New Earth Music Hall in Athens, Larry Keel will play.  Tickets are $8.  This is the first of four parties to celebrate each new release in the series to benefit the rebuilding of the Georgia Theatre.  Snatch up the limited distribution to find The Golden Ticket- a lifetime pass to the rebuilt Theatre!

More info about brews, bands, and facebook. Oh my!
georgia theatre
new earth music hall
terrapin
facebook

Victor Wooten & Edgar Meyer Duet

On July 30, 1991, Victor Wooten joined Edgar Meyer and Ray Brown at the Bomhard Hall in Louisville, KY to film the PBS show Lonesome Pine Special.  The program was broadcast in November of '93. *

Here's Victor and Edgar defying science as they perform an acrobatic duet on one bass.

Duet #2 with Edgar on the upright and Victor on the electric bass guitar and silly hat, respectively.

Victor Wooten

Victor's a personal hero of mine.  I was a metal head in high school, until I saw this insane band (the Flecktones) on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" sometime in the 1998.  I couldn't find the exact date and don't remember which song they played.  Discovering the Flecktones really opened my eyes to new musical worlds: jazz, funk, improvisation, etc.  I became a certified Victa head.  I bought all his albums, 'Tones, solo, side projects, videos, books, anything with his name on it.  I've fallen off the boat in the last few years, but to say he's an influence is a criminal understatement.  I've had the pleasure of meeting him a couple times.  He's as approachable, humble, and nice as he is talented.

Me in my college days circa '99 and VW at the Georgia Theatre (Rebuild it!).

SMV - Live At Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival

This bootleg is posted on Progresivo Del Mundo.  Enjoy the Google translation (if you really like to jazz).  Download link after the jump.

Stanley Clarke has done everything from jazz to Return to Forever, Henderson, Getz or Silver to rock with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, rock through jazz with Jeff Beck and various movie soundtracks, like the rapper 'Boyz' N 'the Hood'.  The ultiinstrumentista Miller, meanwhile, has produced almost all their idols of soul and rhythm and blues, from Aretha Franklin to Tempations from Chaka Khan to Roberta Flack.  And, of course, his contribution to the final stage of Miles Davis.  Mike Stern, Chick Corea, Branford Marsalis, Dave Matthews, Bruce Hornsby, Prince and Gov't Mule are some of the musicians with whom he played, Victor Wooten, bassist known by many as next to Bela Fleck, but with much more to say.