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Why no Hype for the young Brothers?

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#21
Billy Low said:
I agree yet disagree. I agree that many of them need to understand how to market themselves a tad better, however imagine the backlash if they were to become as self promoting as Janek Gwizdala? I mean this guy has noooo shame in the way he plasters himself all over the place! I don't fault him but I don't believe it would be looked upon as favoriably.
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Ah, here is where I think you've got it all wrong. Marketing dictates that you put shame aside and get the message out there especially if you have skills otherwise you are limiting your potential for wider recognition unless you're not looking for recognition.

Secondly, you understand that those "known" circles are closed and that people are placed into those circles don't you...that doesn't happen by chance! Most of the cats in the "known" circle so to speak really don't have the goods anyway! Nor do many of them wield any power or desire to see others get the pub.
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This is true, but that's where resources and an angle play a role. If you have access to capital and/or an "angle" think "Tal Wilkenfeld" you can just break into the scene by creating a unique buzz (cute girl - safe, pure, etc. which is different from beautiful or sexy woman - risque, not pure) and then augmenting that with access to capital and you're good to go.
 
#22
I guess it's impossible to focus on everyone out there who would possibly be an interesting addition to the ranks of those better known to a wider public/audience.no?
 
#23
Billy Low said:
Understand that I truley am not trying to start a race riot here on TB. If I offend believe me that is not my intention. But I have seen about enough BS out of BP! I'm not just talkin about local cats that haven't broken in the industry, I'm talkin about cats that have played on gold/platinum hits and on major/minor tours. BP has only four areas of concentration: Rock, Old Rock, Fusion/Jazz, Old Funk. Even on the old funk tip they barely scrape the surface. Even the Asian and Latino Brothers should be shown love! "It aint hatnin" as the older folks round my way would say.
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BP is just a magazine and I'm not trying to come to their defense but their demographic is what they serve, it's all about the least common denominator. Most of their readers are white males of a certain age group, a reflection of the demographics of this country interested in reading about and PURCHASING Basses, Amps, Effects, etc.
 
#32
Billy Low said:
I agree yet disagree. I agree that many of them need to understand how to market themselves a tad better, however imagine the backlash if they were to become as self promoting as Janek Gwizdala? I mean this guy has noooo shame in the way he plasters himself all over the place! I don't fault him but I don't believe it would be looked upon as favoriably.
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Just curious, how does Janek self-promote? I don't read a lot of music magazines, so I haven't seen any mention. Or are you referring to some other media?
 
#34
I think there a few things going on here. Narud made a good point about many young Black players getting gigs that are much more groove or dance oriented, a vibe that does not lend itself to lots of extended solos. We also need to understand that, like many times in American history, music has developed into two camps that do not always connect to each other. Obviously, Gospel Chops is a point of contact between young jazz players and church musicians, but it is the exception, not the rule. Other than Gospel Chops, it seems that many young Black musicians stay on the church, r&b, and rap circuit, not making an impact on the Jazz scene.

The bottom line is young Black bassists are getting known, but mainly among other young Black players. What is also happening now parallels what happened in the 1950s and 1960s; hip White players are checking out the Gospel scene the same way hip white players checked out the blues and jazz scene back in the day. The main difference today is that society is not segregated so although it may not be common, it is posssible for younger players like Oteil, Victor, and Matt Garrison, to catch the way they did when they were young phenoms.
 
#35
Bass players of color make up a very large % of players out there in the real world. Their contribution and worth is just as important as any other bass player but for every 30 white bass players that are featured in 1 issue of a bass magazine there are at least 2-5 bass players of colored featured in the same issue.


Don't take my word for it(as I'm sure most of you wont),just go through any issue and do the math.

When it's all said and done a bass mag is to inform the bass community and the world not only of the tools of our trade but the players as well.

Years ago I was having a conversation with a close friend of mine who is a famous/legendary bassist. And he was telling me how he was wondering why there hardly were any black bass players featured on the cover of BP. So he went to the editor of BP at the time and expressed his feelings on the matter. So a few months later a issue came out about Funk bass playing. And on the cover there was not one bass player but 4 or 5. And when my friend saw this he went back to the editor and said ok, for all the issues before this one you now put 4 or 5 black bass players on the cover,is that to make up for all the times you rarely put one on the cover? he asked.

No matter how you look at it,it doesn't look fair nor does it add up(demographically). Especially when some of these mags are yearly,bi-monthly,monthly,etc.
 
#37
Is it really color that determines who is on the cover of Bass Player Magazine Or is it possibly the popularity of the players?
I'm betting that a lot more people know who Pete Wentz or Nikki Sixx is compared to Danyel Morgan or Otiel Burbridge.

Guys like Bubby just haven't done anything the catch the attention of the masses, until they do, they'll sit back in the shadows and not on the Magazine Covers.
 
#38
nortonrider said:
Is it really color that determines who is on the cover of Bass Player Magazine Or is it possibly the popularity of the players?
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My original post was not about getting the cover but it is related to the OP.


nortonrider said:
I'm betting that a lot more people know who Pete Wentz or Nikki Sixx is compared to Danyel Morgan or Otiel Burbridge.
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That's no reason to take away any thing from Morgan and Burbridge



nortonrider said:
Guys like Bubby just haven't done anything the catch the attention of the masses, until they do, they'll sit back in the shadows and not on the Magazine Covers.
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Here we go diminishing some ones worth.


Bubby was featured in BP.

There are many who have not caught the eye of the masses but again the %'s does not lie.


Do you have at least 5 issues of BP mag? If so count how many black bass players are featured in each issue compared to none black bass players.
 
#39
Believe me! I ain't taking anything away from Morgan or Burbridge - Those guys ROCK!
But isn't it really all just a big popularity contest?

It's not always the cream that rises to top, it's the name that the majority recognizes, the one that will sell the most issues, the flavor of the month.

ALSO, I wasn't "diminishing" Bubby worth , I just said he hasn't done anything to catch the attention of the masses and until he does, nobody is going to know who he is.
 
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