Double Bass Charlotte Symphony w/ Rhiannon Giddens

[Jason Sypher]

What do you do after playing Carnegie Hall? Rest? Not a chance. Catch a 6am flight to play with the Charlotte Symphony! Gabe Witcher arrangements for Orchestra and trio. They set us up front with the conductor and let’s us go. This one was a little brutal as we were all so very tired from the night before but there is no feeling like driving an entire orchestra from the bass. Really fun.

 

[Sam Reese]

You've gone a long way since the Great Blue Heron Festival! I'm so very happy for you and your musical adventure.

 

[Jason Sypher]

One gig at a time…up and practicing interval double stops with the bow at 8:30am. It never stops!

 

[LouisF]

Jason, sorry to be ignorant here, but who is the singer etc; links? Thanks... and congrats
Louis

 

[Jason Sypher]

No problem. The singer is Rhiannon Giddens. I’ve been playing bass for her in various situations for nine years now. Look her up on YouTube, she is a chameleon. A nice place to start is: but this was actually some years ago. She is an interesting artist.

 

[LouisF]

Thanks -- and sorry to be dense! She did the fabulous score for Omar here at the LA Opera

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[Jason Sypher]

Yes. Quite a piece of work.

 

[Alexis Duntov]

What do you do after playing Carnegie Hall? Rest? Not a chance. Catch a 6am flight to play with the Charlotte Symphony! Gabe Witcher arrangements for Orchestra and trio. They set us up front with the conductor and let’s us go. This one was a little brutal as we were all so very tired from the night before but there is no feeling like driving an entire orchestra from the bass. Really fun. View attachment 4867256View attachment 4867257 View attachment 4867254

She’s remarkable.

 

[Michael Karn]

Hi Jason - If I’m not mistaken it looks like you’re playing your bass in the Charlotte picture, if so how do you travel with it? Does your neck come off? If not and you use a full sized trunk how has that worked for you? Any problems with check in or damage?

 

[Jason Sypher]

Hi Jason - If I’m not mistaken it looks like you’re playing your bass in the Charlotte picture, if so how do you travel with it? Does your neck come off? If not and you use a full sized trunk how has that worked for you? Any problems with check in or damage?

I take my bass everywhere now. During the pandemic I had the neck conversion done by the great Mike Shank and I purchased a Case X-treme two-part case to travel with. I’m maybe twenty flights in now and have had no issues. This was a game changer for me, playing my own bass wherever I go.

 

[truckplayer]

Jason, what kind of bass are you playing these days? Some time ago, I recall you mentioned playing an early American Standard. The bass travel case looks great. Carnegie Hall..Charlotte Symphony. Congratulations!

 

[ThudThudThud]

Kudos. Personally I wouldn't be able to concentrate with her on the stage. Very talented lady, and she has such a pretty smile.

 

[ThudThudThud]

Jason, sorry to be ignorant here, but who is the singer etc; links? Thanks... and congrats
Louis

Also check out the New Basement Tapes collaboration on putting music to discarded Bob Dylan lyrics. She shines on that.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Jason, what kind of bass are you playing these days? Some time ago, I recall you mentioned playing an early American Standard. The bass travel case looks great. Carnegie Hall..Charlotte Symphony. Congratulations!

I sold the AS. I’m playing a Giuseppe Lombardi 1977. It’s a quirky bass but it sounds and plays beautifully.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Kudos. Personally I wouldn't be able to concentrate with her on the stage. Very talented lady, and she has such a pretty smile.

When you tour with someone for nine years you don’t really think about that! We’re family at this point. Funny thing is that I know all her cues when something is working and when it’s not. I’m purely concentrating on making the music as good as possible. There is no time for anything else!

 

[ThudThudThud]

When you tour with someone for nine years you don’t really think about that! We’re family at this point. Funny thing is that I know all her cues when something is working and when it’s not. I’m purely concentrating on making the music as good as possible. There is no time for anything else!

Absolutely. I totally admire your professionalism. However, she hits me in the feels. Long time crush.

 

[elberon]

Rhiannon Giddens also directs the Silk Road Ensemble in NYC. I'm pretty sure Yo Yo Ma was involved in it as a player or director before her. She's from NC.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Absolutely. I totally admire your professionalism. However, she hits me in the feels. Long time crush.

That’s great! Ha!

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Some friends of mine were on the gig. I was offered to play with CSO the night before but had to go out of town for the NC Honors Orchestra/NCMEA Conference. My friends said y’all were awesome!!!

 

[Jason Sypher]

Some friends of mine were on the gig. I was offered to play with CSO the night before but had to go out of town for the NC Honors Orchestra/NCMEA Conference. My friends said y’all were awesome!!!

Of course I hung out with the bass section! Great players and very nice folks!