Tal Wilkenfeld - How does one move up so quickly?

Phil Smith · #1 11-12-2007, 10:54 PM

Hi Janek,

I wanted to get your perspective on the hot new bassist Tal Wilkenfeld. It seems that in a short amount of time she has been able to play with some very big names. I don't know what her musical lineage is, how long and with who she has studied with, but it seems that whatever the formula is, it seems to be working great for her and in a very small amount of time. Does sheer ability alone enable that or do you also have to have connections to go with the talent? What's your take on all of this?

janekbass · #2 11-12-2007, 11:19 PM

Tal is a fantastic bass player, has a great pocket, and is a huge talent in music, not just in the bass.

The reality of the music industry however, no matter how great you are, is who you know. You need to hang out with the right people, have a certain attitude, and of course have your playing together too. But playing has become somewhat of a secondary thing in a lot of scenes.

You can't take anything away from Tal. She's done everything perfectly. She's studied her instrument very hard, and has hung out in all the right circles. I know that she's great friends with Vic, Otiel, Steve, anthony, will, krantz, kenwood, hiram, and all the cats. And I think meeting vinnie Colaiuta probably helped her out a lot in getting the chick corea and jeff beck gigs.

Does age and sex play a part? sure. her and I have talked about that before actually. She hates telling people how old she is because she would rather be known for her playing rather than a young cute chick that plays great. I don't think she has a lot to worry about. She won't be young forever, she sounds really good, and she has some great gigs. I'm sure people will, if they don't already, respect her for her music and for her personality.

If there was nothing there musically then I might have a lot of sh*t to talk about her being young and cute. But she really is a great musician, and isn't kidding anyone. You don't need me to tell you that, just listen to her play, it speaks for itself.

Easy,

Janek

JimmyM · #3 11-13-2007, 02:59 AM

Janek, next time you see her, you should tell her that she should be thankful she's young and cute instead of trying to play it down. There are so many ugly people in the world who would kill to be thought of as young and cute. No doubt she's a great player. You don't stand next to Jeff Beck in his band if you're not a great player. So why not enjoy being cute? It may not be the thing that brought her to the forefront of the bass world, but it certainly didn't hurt. I don't get this mentality that some talented young girls have that they don't want to be known as young and cute when you know there's some really ugly girl out there who plays really well and wants to strangle her. She should be thankful she's young and cute, because it ain't no fun not being cute and it's a bit of a slap in the face (I should know!).

nig · #4 11-13-2007, 02:59 AM

+1, I couldnt have put it more eloquently myself, nice one bro.

Phil Smith · #5 11-13-2007, 07:18 AM

Do you know how she had studied with and for how long? Does she read as well?

janekbass · #6 11-13-2007, 07:59 AM

I have no idea who she studied with, or if she can read at all.

bassmancai · #7 11-13-2007, 11:55 AM

if she's playing with chick then I'm pretty sure she can read...!

bassmancai · #8 11-13-2007, 11:58 AM

by the way janek, you gonna be headin back to bass day UK next year? I went along on Sunday but would have been good to seen you up there bro. Jeff berlin and hadrien led the way but I'd love to have seen you doin somethin.

Bassscholar · #9 11-17-2007, 11:48 PM

I met her once....She studied at LA Music academy With Jerry Watts....

mlowe · #10 11-18-2007, 01:54 AM

When she played with Beck I felt she added a lot of colour rather than mud in the background. I like what she plays and imo her playing shows a strong education and feel for when and what to play.

I'm not convinced that's a common thing with so many bass players and I think it will prevail as one of the things she will get a lot of credit for in her future career.

Her chops certainly speak for themselves imo.

Hawaii Islander · #11 11-18-2007, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlowe

When she played with Beck I felt she added a lot of colour rather than mud in the background. I like what she plays and imo her playing shows a strong education and feel for when and what to play.

I'm not convinced that's a common thing with so many bass players and I think it will prevail as one of the things she will get a lot of credit for in her future career.

Her chops certainly speak for themselves imo.

+1

kevbassman · #12 11-18-2007, 08:33 AM

She's a great talent. It seems that she has learned also that sometimes the Best thing you play is what you DON'T play. Some may disagree with me on that, but her solo on Beck's "Cause We Ended As Lover's" was very tastefull IMHO.

+1....if she was a ugly woman, would she have been playing with the heavy hitters?
I mean, guys are guys! LOL
Personally, I think she would have.....and actually , I can't believe this, but I've heard some people say she isn't attractive. I tend to disagree with them. It will be interesting with Tal in the future. Does she decide to get married, raise a family in the future, etc?
Personally, I wish her nothing but the best.
I learned long ago, there is always someone better than you. I think so many players are jealous of her in a bad way. Many players don't understand that your people skills has as much to do with gigging many years in the biz as your talent. It's seems Tal in a short period of time has both those skills. She has NETWORKED herself with the right group of players....obviously her talent opened that door...but her other people skills, etc. seem to have opened many more. I hope no-one takes what I'm writing and makes it a sexual issue. (She slept her way to the top)....because I'm not implying that at all. She has a great talent....and originally was a guitar player. She saw the light and turned to bass.

Bassscholar · #13 11-18-2007, 04:46 PM

Yea...I heard some stories of her "people skills". from What I understood. She Never spoke to anyone much. And about two or three years ago after chillin in Pasadena she locked herself in her room or something for a couple of years or something like that..But thats all just heresay BS. I think it is because she's a hott chic. We as bass players can count, Follow...chord changes and play our little ghost notes and fills. I see right past her personally....

reflexbc · #14 06-23-2008, 11:29 AM

Hi people:
I am new to this forum. Just a little background, I am new to bass, but have been playing drums (mostly fusion) for 30+ years. I have to admit that when I first saw video footage of the Crossroads festival, I was struck by Tal's looks (I am a guy after all

). However, I did some research on her on Wikipedia, checked out her site, including her MySpace site, and I have to say, she is a phenomenal player. Check out "BC" on her MySpace site... I am a huge Wayne Krantz fan, and was totally unaware of her connection to him. Go Tal!
Peace

harrison_faulkn · #15 06-23-2008, 04:36 PM

I was watching the Crossroads DVD for the first time about a month ago, and when Becks set came up, and I saw her, I literally thought "Oh, Beck got himself a cute chick for sex appeal". Especially because she was not wearing a bra.

When she got into that solo, I was completely floored. I haven't felt like that big of an idiot in a long time. It's a classic 'Don't judge a book by its cover' moment.

sflajimmy · #16 06-24-2008, 05:39 AM

Quote:

She saw the light and turned to bass.

Amen Brother. I'm sure a lot of what has been said is spot on. The bottom line is she can play. Having said that: it's just a fact that "attractive" people get more opportunities in life. A lot of us don't want to admit that but it's been studied and studied most studies verify it. When I say attractive I don't mean just physically. It can be a whole package of traits. I think Tal is attractive but for my personal taste not a knockout. No matter, she certainly isn't gigging on her looks. We can find fault with anything if we look hard enough....why bother there are to many good things to see!!!

reflexbc · #17 06-24-2008, 06:41 PM

It is interesting to me though, that there are lots of male musicians out there who are good-looking, and then there are some who are not, but it's never an issue with them. You never hear someone say, "that guy's really good-looking - do you think that's the reason why he's in the band?" But the issue does come up with female musicians. I guess sexism isn't as dead as we think (even among musicians who are supposed to be "hip").

janekbass · #18 06-24-2008, 07:12 PM

well actually it's a big issue on some gigs as to whether a guy is good looking or not. I'm about to hire a band for a pop tour and that will play a definite part in who gets the gig or not. You need to look good, dress well, have a vibe to be on tv and on big stages in front of tons of people. You're pretty much selling a product and an imagine on most pop gigs and how you look is a big part of that.

Easy,

Janek

sflajimmy · #19 06-24-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

You're pretty much selling a product and an imagine on most pop gigs and how you look is a big part of that.

It's true....it's true. Look at the Ramones....oops not a pop group.

reflexbc · #20 06-24-2008, 08:51 PM

I guess you're right - I was thinking about that right after I posted. I guess I'm idealistic enough to think that it shouldn't matter as much in a jazz context; obviously in pop, look is always an issue. However, as you said, it's all about the total package, networking, look, making an impression, and to a certain extent that's definitely true in jazz/fusion circles. That's actually one of the reasons why I was not doing well as a professional musician, because at that time, I didn't get it, and thought that all you had to do was be able to play well. As a result, I am no longer a professional musician, although I am quite an accomplished drummer. I had other reasons for leaving the business, but I think part of it was that I had always had this idea of being in it for the music only, and thinking that "all that other stuff" was BS. I think it's an important point for young and up-and-coming players to realize - that the other aspects are just as important.
Peace,
reflexbc