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Double Bass Favorite bassist

#21
Originally posted by reedo35
Originally posted by Stingray5
I haven't heard about that, but did anyone ever see a few years back a special - I think it was on Bravo - NHOP with Oscar Peterson and a drummer (forgot who) doing a composition by OP called "Easter Suite"? I think they made a CD of it as well. Very beautiful music with outstanding work by NHOP.

Also, Charlie Haden really does it for me. The Quartet West recordings are great. I get choked up listening to "The Left Hand of God".
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Actually, I think you can get the video to that performance. I'll look into it.
Also, I couldn't agree more about the Charlie Haden thing.
Just goes to show you that there is beauty in simplicity. [/B]
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Reedo, You couldn't be more right about simplicity. (Now if I could only convince my band members of that...:mad:

I actually have the "Easter Suite" somewhere on video. I taped it when it was on. But the quality is poor and I really would be interested if it was available somewhere. Let me know if you hear anything!

PS Hey Tim, I got the joke! ;)

 
#22
Originally posted by Tim Ludlam
JT:

Sorry, didn't mean to ruffle your feathers. Honestly, I am safe. You can make eye contact. Check out my profile, I am very verticle (i.e. upright).
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As you can see, it is hard to distinguish between playful humor and just being a wank, unless you either say
"just kidding!" or post a smilie :)
Having said that,can you tell me a little about your german Upright, do you know who made it, who put the C extension on,distinguishing characteristics,blah,blah... I'm thinking of getting
a C extension on my Juzek, and I wonder how much it would cost?

 
#23
Hey Reedo:

The sticker from inside the bass had been removed quite some time ago. So I am not really sure of its origin. I'm going strickly on the best guesses of my luthier. Anyhow, characteristically it is very, very similar to a Juzek. It's in really good shape, very few repairs. I bought it with the "C" extension already installed. My teacher tells me that his extensions cost around $700 to $900, I can tell you that my extension is certainly not worthy of that price tag. The stop is marginal, but it is sufficient. The sound, whether open or closed, is very good. It is very even throughout the fingerboard.
 
#24
He's already been mentioned, but I have to echo Charlie Haden's name, especially due to his playing on Ornette Colemans's "The Art Of The Improvisers." Specifically, "The Circle With A Hole In The Middle." That is precisely the track that pushed me into the double bass camp. Scott La Faro's great, too. Jaco's great, too. Miroslav Vitous is also great.

But, since the question is "Favorite Bassist" (i.e., singular, not plural), I'd say Charlie Haden is tops .
 
#25
Jazzers - Ray Brown, stanley clarke, Christian Mcbride, ron carter, paul chambers. Have any of you heard ray drummand? I saw him play with steve turre (trombone) The guy was flawlessly accurate in all registures. he made me feel like I had hundreds of years to go.
Of the few recordings I've heard of Niels, I was astounded by his technical ability, but he left no space in between phrases. It was like he was playing TO much.

Classical - Gary Karr. Look out for Jeff Braditich. He played a youth masterclass that I attended. After he finnished, he asked if we had any questions. There was an eerie silence that lasted for a while. we were scared to respond. I had never heard anything like that before. I was like six feet away.... That was an awsome night.

I stumbled into Edgar meyer through napster (god bless napster). He was playing Ziguenerwiesen by pablo sarasate (written for violin). Flawless intonation. His upper-most range consited of an unbelievible control of harmonics. astonishing.
 
#27
Originally posted by jonn_
Jazzers - Ray Brown, stanley clarke, Christian Mcbride, ron carter, paul chambers. Have any of you heard ray drummand?
I stumbled into Edgar meyer through napster (god bless napster). He was playing Ziguenerwiesen by pablo sarasate (written for violin). Flawless intonation. His upper-most range consited of an unbelievible control of harmonics. astonishing.
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I saw "Bulldog"Drummond with Kenny Barron in Germany.
Zigeunerwiesen is from the album "Uncommon Ritual" and if you liked that, the rest of it is also awesome! A must-Have!
I met Bratetich at a Master Class, and I was lusting after his Gasparo da Solo Bass. What a sound!
 
#28
Don - I don't call it an upright usualy, I just figured it would be clearer (many bass guitarists that wander around here seem really confused.

Reedo35 - thanks, I will definately look for that album.

I should add john pattitucci, and dave holland to my list.
some of pattiucci's compositions are annoying, but he is one of the most amazing bassist around
 
#29
hey tim, i wasn't roaring at you, i was roaring at the other [BG] kids, but really just kidding. sort of a joke i got going on with don and ed, some [BG] guys wander in, then i come in and rustle'em outta here, like goats outta yer flowers :D

i guess, now that i'm a moderator, people are gonna start taking me more seriously. damn, that sux, oh, well ,sorry to confuse you guys that way, and i will try to keep those damn [BG] kids off yer lawns :D.
 
#30
For the record, Sean Smith plays a Kay that he bought from his teacher and mine, Michael Moore. Michael used it on tour with Benny Goodman, who, like Buddy Rich, was a force to be reckoned with. After a concert, Michael was unaware that Goodman could hear him downplaying it as only his road bass to an effusive fan. He turned, saw Goodman looking over the top of his glasses, saying "Oh? You mean you don't bring your GOOD bass when you work with me?"
 
#31
Well, I get to see the Ray Brown Trio at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA, tonight (http://www.yoshis.com) tonight. Based on having seen his name as a favorite bassist, I'm hoping to be blown away, or at least, impressed by his playing. I'm looking forward to it.
 
#32
Originally posted by FanOfHaden
Well, I get to see the Ray Brown Trio at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA, tonight (http://www.yoshis.com) tonight. Based on having seen his name as a favorite bassist, I'm hoping to be blown away, or at least, impressed by his playing. I'm looking forward to it. [/QUOTE

In all likelyhood....blown away. :)
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#33
Joel Quarrington - without question.

I just heard Edgar Meyer play yesterday in Toronto, promoting his new recording of Bach cello suites, and as fabulous a player as he is, I still prefer Joel's playing by quite a bit. Both are very comparable from a technical accuracy standpoint, but I feel Joel's playing has a much broader range of emotion. Edgar is an incredibly relaxed and "groove" oriented player, which is great, but Joel seems to have an incredible spirit and drive with a tremendous range of colour and emotion.

Don't get me wrong, I do think Edgar is an incredibly fine bassist, I just personally prefer Joel's concept of tone and his interpretations.
 
#34
Originally posted by Deynn
Originally posted by FanOfHaden
Well, I get to see the Ray Brown Trio at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA, tonight (http://www.yoshis.com) tonight. Based on having seen his name as a favorite bassist, I'm hoping to be blown away, or at least, impressed by his playing. I'm looking forward to it. [/QUOTE

In all likelyhood....blown away. :)
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Oh, I enjoyed the show very much. In fact, I'm thinking about going back next week, to hear the trio perform with a saxophonist. But I especially liked a song dedicated to one of Ray's old friends (I can't remember the unique name the guy had). But the song had slow parts and then this cool walking bass line. That was an exciting song.

The night turned out to be great for another reason: I was able to find an instructor, and, she studies under Ray Brown. Her playing is said to be remind a listener of Charlie Haden. That was good enough for me. I can't wait to get started.
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#35
Originally posted by Ed Fuqua

I gotta say, what Pattituci (Patitucci?Patittuci?PPaattiittuuccii?) I've heard on the radio or at people's cribs hasn't really made me wanna run out and buy his records. And not all of it is just my cranky "I listen to dead people" thang. I'm not saying he's a piker or anything, I just haven't heard anything that has affected me like hearing Peter Washington or Steve LaSpina or Sean Smith. These guys really dig into the time and I always have the sense that they are playing MUSIC, not just the bass.
The recording that has me tempted, though, is the new Roy Haynes trio record.

But seriously, with SO many bad cats out there (both alive and immortalized through their recordings)how can you limit yourself to a "favorite"?
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I have felt this with JP's upright playing, but always thought before that this was just my own limited understanding of what a great double bass player should be like. After all he has been hired by some great contemporary Jazz legends just to play upright, so what do I know!

I also wouldn't want to criticise him in any way, as he obviously does a huge amount for education in the US, but I always find that I appreciate his stuff on electric 6-string far more and in this field his melodic sense when using the electric instrument makes him really stand out; whereas I don't hear anything "special" on upright and always feel somehow "disappointed" if he doesn't play electric.
 
#37
2 that I really like that haven't been mentioned: George Mraz for his great tone, perfect intonation (sickening), and overall musicianship. I just picked up his latest with all the Morovian (Czech) folk songs and it is interesting, although not quite jazz and not quite classical. Listened to it 3 times on the way to New Orleans today until my wife got tired of it. Another great young cat that no one ever mentions is Rodney Whitaker. Everyone mentions Christian McBride, but I really enjoy Radney more, personally. His last 2 solo albums have been really good, and he is on the new Criss Cross release with Clarence Penn playing very nicely. I'm enjoying New Orleans, I caught saw good players this evening. In fact, I got to sit in with the Jerry Jumonville Quartet, and the bassist is probably going to have me cover one of his sets tomorrow; should be fun if I don't embarrass myself.
Monte
 
#40
my favorite upright players (not necessarily in order)
Ron Carter. great lines, great tone.
George Mraz. Impeccable intonation, great tone.
NHOP: beautiful sound.
Mingus: instantly recognizable. nuff said.
Steve Rodby has wonderful tone and taste.

I don't like players like LeFaro and Eddie Gomez. I think their tone is too 'stringy' and they're trying to do too much on the instrument. It's an upright bass for crying out loud!!!
 

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