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Show Notes

Length: 58:35

e-mail: contrabassconversations@gmail.com

voicemail: 206-666-6509

blog: www.doublebassblog.com

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This episode features the first part of an interview that Jason recently did with double bassist Weldon Anderson.  Weldon has worked in many styles of music, from traditional classical bass playing to very experimental forms of music.  The first part of this interview discusses Weldon's early years on the instrument and how he became involved Pittsburgh's Squonk Opera.

 

Weldon Anderson was a member of the Squonk Opera when they secured a run on Broadway in New York City, and Weldon and Jason discuss the unique situation of getting to Broadway by creating your own show.  What an unusual and very interesting trajectory! 

Visit the Squonk Opera to learn more about this ensemble http://squonkopera.com

Click here to read the Ben Brantley review of the Squonk Opera

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The music of double bassist Donovan Stokes is featured throughout the episode from his recent album Gandaha.  A former student of David Murray and Edgar Meyer, Donovan manages to blend several styles of bass playing and create his own compelling compositions.  I am a real fan of Donovan's, and I can't wait to hear more of his playing. 

 

Visit http://donovanstokes.com or http://myspace.com/donovanstokes for more information on this extremely talented and creative bassist, and visit the following links to order Donovan's album Gandaha:

 

Buy Gandaha on iTunes

Buy Gandaha on CDBaby

Buy Gandaha through Lemur Music

 

Donovan's bio:

 

Fluent on electric bass and double bass, Dr. Donovan Stokes currently teaches bass and composition in the Department of Music at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA and bass in the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Columbus, GA. He earned his D.M.A and M.M from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and his B.M. from Vanderbilt University.  An active soloist, composer, and clinician Stokes is a specialist in the use of amplified and electronically manipulated double bass and performs regularly both as a soloist and a sideman in a variety of musical genres, venues and collaborations.

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Listener feedback from Dave Swenson, Kirsty Matheson, and Joel Negus.

 

 

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CBC Episode 12
 

Show Notes

e-mail: contrabassconversations@gmail.com

voicemail: 206-666-6509

website: contrabassconversations.com

blog: doublebassblog.com

Episode Length: 26:31

 

This week's episode features double bassist Kate Nettleman.  Kate is a great friend and an excellent bassist based here in the Chicago area.

 

Kate's bio:

 

Kathryn Nettleman - as a young student of Neil Courtney, Assistant Principal Bass with the Philadelphia Orchestra, she performed with numerous local ensembles including the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. During this time she twice received the New Jersey Governor's Award in Arts Education. She attended The Juilliard School as a full-scholarship student of Homer Mensch and following graduation spent a year studying with Don Palma at the Yale University School of Music. For several summers she performed in the Aspen Music Festival and the Spoleto (USA) Music Festival.

Ms. Nettleman then spent two seasons in the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, during which time she was involved in a wide variety of solo and chamber music performances, musical outreach projects, and served as co-chair of a concert series. In 2001, she was awarded by her colleagues there the "NWS Musician of the Year Award for Artistic Leadership." The following year she served as a section member in the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, where she was active as a performer in introductory musical programs for elementary and middle school children.

Currently living in Chicago, Ms. Nettleman performs regularly with many local ensembles including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Symphony II, and Grant Park Symphony. She serves as a volunteer friendly visitor to the elderly through Resurrection Health Care Home Health Services. In addition to making music, she enjoys running, gardening, reading, and vegetarian cooking and baking.

You will be hearing some duets on this episode that Kate and Jason recorded at the 2007 Whitewater Winter Bassfest.

 

-          - - - -

 

We also had some feedback this week from Ben Huff.  Ben writes:

 

Hi Jason,
I just wanted to let you know how much I really enjoyed this most recent podcast with Andy Anderson playing...wow! A couple of things really struck me. One, I really liked the artistic liberties he took with the Paganini Moses Fantasy, especially in the 2nd variation; he made it very lyrical, despite the fact that the variation is literally one whole, nasty lick. Also, it was great to hear his version of Bottesini #2. I kind of made Edgar Meyer's version of the concerto my reference for what is  'okay to do and not okay to do', especially in regard to tempo. But after having heard Andy play it, this wonderful, liberating thought hit me, 'Andy's a fantastic player, and he plays it slower, so that means it's okay to play it slower!' Last, the Monti Czardas was perfect.

 

Thanks!
Ben

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CBC Episode 11: Andrew Anderson Recital Showcase
Episode Length: 59:55
Release Date: 3/12/07
e-mail: contrabasssconversations@gmail.com
website: contrabassconversations.com
blog: doublebassblog.com

This week's episode features a series of tracks from double bassist Andrew Anderson.  Andy was our guest on episodes 4 and 7.  Andy used a different set-up for each set of tracks, and he describes the strings and other differentiating factors between each track.

You can download the episode here (right click and choose 'save as...')

This is a very interesting episode, and I hope you enjoy it!

Track sequence:

Koussevitzky Concerto mvt 1
Koussevitzky Concerto mvt 2
Failing
Bottesini Concerto No. 2 mvt 1
Frescobaldi Sonata
Paganini Moses Fantasy
Monti Czardas

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Release Date: 3/5/07
Length: 33:08
website: contrabassconversations.com
e-mail: contrabassconversations@gmail.com
voicemail: 206-666-6509
blog: doublebassblog.com
Co-Host: Courtney Lawhn

This episode of Contrabass Conversations features an interview with composer Bjorn Berkhout.  Bjorn discusses his musical training, his various compositions for bass, and the challenges of writing for the double bass.  Musical selections from his pieces Steamworks and Rise are also played on the show this week.

To find out more about Bjorn's activities, visit http://bjornb.com/.
To order Bjorn's double bass music, visit discordia-music.com.


We also play a track called Big Green Horn by the band Death Chariot.  Visit them online at deathchariot.com, or e-mail jbvanderkail@deathchariot.com to get in touch.