Double Bass Great Female Double Bassists

[Marcus Johnson]

When her current magic carpet ride ends, I think she will need to look at some of the things she has done with music in order to gain fame.

What has she done?

 

[MR PC]

Watch What Happens. Give it a few years. Again, I don't expect, and I haven't asked, ANYBODY to share my viewpoint. Go ahead and shoot me.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

It wasn't a facetious question, I was just curious to hear what specifically she's done with music in order to gain fame.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

Ah, a Holiday Mystery. Verily I say unto thee, I care not.

 

[Fletcher Lanning]

She knows.

Did she sell her soul to Dave Holland and inherit his time signatures?

 

[MR PC]

I hope not!

 

[Rosebud]

another vote for MD area bassist Amy Shook

 

[MrSidecar]

As much as I find discussing gender/sex questions unproductive, let me raise my voice for Eva Kruse. German bass player, Berlin-based. Great sound, pretty heavy bands she's playing in, tough music... Check her out.

Best

Sidecar

 

[PsychoScout]

Did she sell her soul to Dave Holland and inherit his time signatures?

good god...

 

[Paul Warburton]

Who cares? I saw/heard her recently and she exuded such arrogance and disrespect for her audience.......pretty shocking. Sure she has talent, education, chops, big hair and stage gestures. But no humility.

This is just weird, IMO.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

she plays great and sings great, but i think she'd still play a lot better if she wouldn't sing

She (Esperanza) already plays a lot better than most while singing. She's as good as it gets, folks, IMO. I saw her over the summer and she was perfectly fine with the audience.

 

[PsychoScout]

She (Esperanza) already plays a lot better than most while singing. She's as good as it gets, folks, IMO. I saw her over the summer and she was perfectly fine with the audience.

haven't had the honour to see her perform... hope she'll come to belgium next summer...

 

[Wally Malone]

Esperanza is playing with McCoy at Yoshi's for a few days including New Year's Eve. It would be great if somebody went to one of the shows could give us their thoughts.

Wally

 

[MR PC]

Got your tickets yet?

 

[MR PC]

She (Esperanza) already plays a lot better than most while singing. She's as good as it gets, folks, IMO. I saw her over the summer and she was perfectly fine with the audience.

Couldn't agree with you more about her playing, as good as it gets, ect. I saw her on the summer tour as well.

Part of the deal when you have to sell your personality with music, is that some people won't buy both. She seemed comfortable with that for the evening concert I attended. More power to her, then.

 

[tzadik]

Honestly/respectfully curious what people like so much about Esperanza. She is definitely pretty solid and everyone seems to love looking at her, but I would be interested to hear what specifically people like about her playing. She was good live, heard a few decent recordings of her but I have yet to blown away. Maybe this topic needs its own thread. I just can't figure out what has earned her the massive hype.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Honestly/respectfully curious what people like so much about Esperanza. She is definitely pretty solid and everyone seems to love looking at her, but I would be interested to hear what specifically people like about her playing. She was good live, heard a few decent recordings of her but I have yet to blown away. Maybe this topic needs its own thread. I just can't figure out what has earned her the massive hype.

Pretty solid? What's not totally "there" about her playing? She plays great lines, in tune, has smoking time, gets a good sound, and does all that while singing great and leading a kick-ass band playing funky and complex tunes.

What don't you like about her?

 

[mrnasty]

I'm glad that a few folks mentioned Esperanza Spalding. She is a fantastic bass player and her singing equals her playing (and it may even exceed it). Take a few minutes and check her out on YouTube - it will be time well spent.

 

[damonsmith]

She (Esperanza) already plays a lot better than most while singing. She's as good as it gets, folks, IMO. I saw her over the summer and she was perfectly fine with the audience.

I wouldn't go as far as good as it gets or even as good as the film "As Good as it Gets" - but she is quite good.
Her explosion is clearly pop related and based on hype but IMO her bass paying musicianship are more than respectable and professional.
It can only be good for all of us that she is bringing that kind of attention to the instrument.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

RE: Esperanza - I saw her at the MJF this year. She's a great player but she plays young (no duh.) There is not a lot of depth to her music yet. She's got major chops though. IMHO she was better as a sideman in Lovano's band.

Has Ruth Davies been mentioned yet?

-J

P.S. I agree with using MotherF****r for all monster players regardless of gender. B!tch just kinda sucks as a compliment.