Sun, 24 June 2007  It is my pleasure to bring you this great interview with Pittsburgh
Symphony principal bassist Jeff Turner for this week's episode of
Contrabass Conversations. Jeff has excellent advice for musicians, and
he reflects on his early years on the instrument in this very engaging
interview. You will also be hearing a double bass feature from the
Lascivious Biddies on this episode. Enjoy!_________ CBC 26: Jeff Turner interview Release Date: 6/24/07 Length: 30:44 Website: www.contrabassconversations.com E-mail: contrabassconversations@gmail.com Blog: www.doublebassblog.com Podcast forums: www.talkbass.com/cbc Podcast T-shirts, hats, and more: www.cafepress.com/doublebass MySpace: www.myspace.com/cbcpodcast Theme song by Eric Hochberg: www.erichochberg.com You can always call 206-666-6509 to leave a message and join in the conversation! To get Contrabass Conversations downloaded automatically to your computer (for free!), you can subscribe in iTunes:  Click here to subscribe through e-mail or through another program besides iTunes Click to listen (right-click to download) or click player below: News and Notes: -This show is brought to you by TalkBass.com, the largest community of bassists on the Internet. Join in the conversation at talkbass.com/cbc. -I’d like to thank Paul Determan for setting this up for us. It should prove to add a great new dimension to the podcast, and I urge listeners to visit the forums and give their input on the episodes. A direct link is available at the podcast website or on my blog at www.doublebassblog.com. After the interview, we’ll be featuring a few musical selections, but let’s get into our interview with Jeff Turner. Here we go! Today’s Guest – Jeff Turner Principal Bass, Pittsburgh Symphony About Jeff: Principal Bass Jeffrey Turner joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 1987. He served as Principal Bass of the New American Chamber Orchestra from 1984 to 1986 and became a member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1986. Mr. Turner, a native of South Carolina, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester. His teachers include James VanDemark, Lawrence Hurst and Robert Gladstone. Mr. Turner serves on the faculties of Duquesne University and Carnegie Mellon University. He is the Artistic Director of the City Music Center’s Young Bassist Program, and gives annual seminars and master classes at universities and conservatories throughout the world. He has also served as Visiting Professor at the Eastman School of Music and Lecturer at the University of Maryland. Mr. Turner has been a resident artist for many annual festivals including the Pacific Music Festival in Japan and the Korsholm Festival in Finland. He has been featured as a presenter at the conventions of The International Society of Bassists, and has served on the faculty of The Asian Youth Orchestra (Hong Kong) under the direction of Lord Yehudi Menuhin. Mr. Turner is a faculty member of the National Orchestral Institute. As winner of the Y Music Society’s Passamaneck Award, Jeffrey Turner appeared in a critically acclaimed recital at Carnegie Music Hall in 1989. He was also a winner of the 1990 Pittsburgh Concert Society’s Artist Award. INTERVIEW Musical Selections Summertime from Brother Love Visit him online at www.brotherloverocks.com Odd Bird by the Lascivious Biddies Visit them online at www.biddies4ever.com Music provided by the Podsafe Music Network. Visit them online at www.music.podshow.com News and Notes: -Grillo studied with Jeff -Ranaan Meyer – upcoming guest -I wrote about Time for Three (Ranaan’s trio) for the Take a Friend to Orchestra initiative on Adaptistration -Gary Karr videos on blog Visit my bass blog videos for all Gary Karr selections see my Amati bass recital video -auditions tab -luthiers project -music injury/prevention project Related Posts:
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Sat, 16 June 2007  This week’s Contrabass Conversations episode features an interview with
and music from Chicago Symphony bassist Rob Kassinger. Rob’s musical
interests span many genres and include both the electric bass and the
double bass. You will learn about Rob’s early years on the bass and how
working in jazz and rock settings led to an interest in orchestral
double bass playing in this fascinating interview.This episode also features Rob playing the first movement of the Breval Sonata in a live performance, and it includes a track from NYCO, a rock band that Rob was a member of for several years. You will be hearing People We Knew from their recent album “Two�. You can purchase “Two� by following this link. Enjoy! _________ CBC 25: R. Kassinger interview Release Date: 6/17/07 Length: 36:17 Website: www.contrabassconversations.com E-mail: contrabassconversations@gmail.com Blog: www.doublebassblog.com Podcast T-shirts, hats, and more: www.cafepress.com/doublebass MySpace: www.myspace.com/cbcpodcast Theme song by Eric Hochberg: www.erichochberg.com You can always call 206-666-6509 to leave a message and join in the conversation! To get Contrabass Conversations downloaded automatically to your computer (for free!), you can subscribe in iTunes: Click here to subscribe through e-mail or through another program besides iTunes Click to listen (right-click to download) or click player below: News and Notes: -ISB Convention -TalkBass dedicated forum -Jeff Turner interview Today’s Guest – Rob Kassinger Member of Chicago Symphony bass section Bass Professor at DePaul University in Chicago, IL About Rob: Robert Kassinger was appointed to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1993. Prior to Chicago, Rob performed as assistant principal bass with the Colorado Symphony and also played with the New Orleans Symphony. In addition to his busy schedule with the Orchestra, Rob is an active chamber musician. He performs with the Revolution Ensemble, the Orion Ensemble, Fulcrum Point, Ars Viva, Music of the Baroque, the Callisto Ensemble, MusicNOW, and broadcasts on WFMT and WTTW. Most recently he has been a featured guest with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, and has performed Schubert’s Trout Quintet with Daniel Barenboim. In July 2006, Rob served as double bass professor at the Canton International Summer Music Academy, led by Charles Dutoit. Rob grew up in a family of musicians in Boulder, Colorado. He began his bass studies with Frank Carroll at the University of Colorado. In 1985 he moved to New York to study with Homer Mensch at the Manhattan School of Music, where he received his bachelor of music degree. Rob then pursued his master’s degree at the Juilliard School, continuing his studies with Mr. Mensch. He later went on to study with Bruce Bransby at Indiana University. Some of his most influential experiences as a student were his two years as principal bass of the New York String Orchestra Seminar, conducted by Alexander Schneider, and the two summers he spent as a fellowship student at the Aspen Music Festival, studying with Stuart Sankey and Bruce Bransby. In 1989 Rob was the winner of the Aspen Double Bass Competition. Rob’s experience as a jazz performer dates back to his early teens, working in the house rhythm section at the infamous Denver jazz club El Chapultapec, and over the years he has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Kenny Burrell, the Woody Herman band, Conte Candoli, Charlie Rouse, Teddy Edwards, Harold Land, Red Holloway, Charles Brown, Art Lande, Richard Stoltzman, Gary Burton, Alex Acuna, Laurence Hobgood, and Bobby Lewis. In 1998 and 2000, Rob toured India with the Chicago Jazz Express, and he can be heard on their recordings Voyage to India and The Rhythm Section. He also appears on Bobby Lewis’ latest CD, Just Havin’ Some Fun. In addition, Rob is featured on Daniel Barenboim’s Brazilian Rhapsody on the Teldec label, and Kabbalah Blues/Quantum Funk by the Revolution Ensemble. Rob’s latest project has given him a chance to spend more time with the bass guitar. His alternative rock group NYCO has released its debut album Two, available through nycomusic.com and at Itunes.com. Rob is professor of double bass at DePaul University. He is also in demand as a coach and master clinician, serving in this capacity for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, the Juilliard School, and the Mannes School of Music. In the summers of 1999 through 2002, it was Rob’s honor to teach at the West-Eastern Divan, a ground-breaking workshop that brings young musicians from Israel and various Arab countries together to study orchestral music with Daniel Barenboim, Yo-Yo Ma, and members of the CSO, Berlin Philharmonic, and Staatskapelle Berlin. INTERVIEW Musical Selections NYCO – People We Knew from “Two� www.nycomusic.com purchase “Two� by following this link Breval Sonata mvt 1 Related Posts:
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Sun, 10 June 2007  This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features an interview with
double bassist Michael Hovnanian. Michael has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1989, and he serves as the president of Discordia Music (double bass music publisher). Michael also plays for the Gunnelpumpers, Chicago Bass Ensemble, Music of the Baroque, and the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra. He authors the popular CSO Bass Blog,
and he has served on the faculty for Northwestern University and the
Chicago College of Performing Arts. Michael was also my bass teacher
for my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Northwestern, and it was
really great to get a chance to do this interview.You will also get a chance to hear Michael play the Discordia Music edition of the Brahms Sonata in E minor on this episode. It is a great edition of a great piece, and Michael plays it beautifully. Enjoy! _________ CBC 24: M. Hovnanian interview Release Date: 6/10/07 Length: 27:35 Website: www.contrabassconversations.com E-mail: contrabassconversations@gmail.com Blog: www.doublebassblog.com Podcast T-shirts, hats, and more: www.cafepress.com/doublebass MySpace: www.myspace.com/cbcpodcast Theme song by Eric Hochberg: www.erichochberg.com You can always call 206-666-6509 to leave a message and join in the conversation! To get Contrabass Conversations downloaded automatically to your computer (for free!), you can subscribe in iTunes: Click here to subscribe through e-mail or through another program besides iTunes Click to listen (right-click to download) or click player below: About Michael Hovnanian Michael Hovnanian grew up in the Seattle area and started playing the bass in the public schools. His primary teachers were James Harnett and Ronald Simon of the Seattle Symphony. An early interest in solo playing led to performances with the Seattle Symphony, the Northwest Chamber Orchestra and the University of Washington Symphony. Michael attended the University of Washington and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the California Institute of the Arts where he studied with Frederick Tinsley of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In 1986 he joined the Victoria Symphony as Principal Bassist and in 1988 the San Antonio Symphony as a member of the bass section. Since 1989 he has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In addition to playing in the CSO Mr. Hovnanian is active performing solo and chamber music in the Chicago area. He has appeared in the Chicago Symphony chamber concerts at Orchestra Hall and the Art Institute, with Chicago Pro Musica, and at the Winter Chamber Music Festival. Currently he is President of Discordia Music, a pulishing company specializing in new and arranged works for Double Bass. He is also a co-founder of the International Bottesini Society, an organization dedicated to promoting the legacy of that composer. Michael’s blog: www.csobassblog.blogspot.com Discordia Music: www.discordia-music.com Gunnelpumpers: www.myspace.com/gunnelpumpers Chicago Symphony Orchestra: www.cso.org Chicago Bass Ensemble: www.chicagobassensemble.com Ars Viva Symphony: www.arsviva.org Music of the Baroque: www.baroque.org INTERVIEW -Gunnelpumpers tracks played: Floobah I Visit them online at www.myspace.com/gunnelpumpers -Michael plays the Brahms Cello Sonata in E minor, mvt 1 Discordia Music edition (great bass publishing company--check them out!) Sign-off Comments[0] |
Sat, 2 June 2007  This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features a continuation of
our interview with Indiana University double bass professor Lawrence
Hurst plus some music from plus some music from the Italian bass
ensemble The Bass Gang. You can check out episode 20
of the podcast for the first part of this interview with Mr. Hurst, and
detailed information for both guests is available in the show notes
below. Enjoy!____________ CBC 23: L. Hurst interview part 2 and music from the Bass Gang Show Notes Release Date: 6/3/07 Length: 33:52 Website: www.contrabassconversations.com E-mail: contrabassconversations@gmail.com Blog: www.doublebassblog.com Podcast T-shirts, hats, and more: www.cafepress.com/doublebass MySpace: www.myspace.com/cbcpodcast You can always call 206-666-6509 to leave a message and join in the conversation! Click here to subscribe through e-mail or through another program besides iTunes To get Contrabass Conversations downloaded automatically to your computer (for free!), you can subscribe in iTunes: Click to listen (right-click to download) or click player below: News and notes: -This week�s interview was co-hosted by double bassist John Grillo. You have heard John on CBC episodes 6, 9, 14, and 20, plus his recital showcase back in February of this year. John was a Mr. Hurst student at -The 2007 International Society of Bassists Convention will be taking place June 4-9 at Wanda L. Bass (fitting name) School of Music on the campus of Oklahoma City University. I imagine that many bass blog readers will be attending this event, and I'd love to hear your experiences during and after the convention. Feel free to e-mail me (jsh177@yahoo.com) any photos, stories, recordings, or any thoughts in general on your time spent at this event, and I'll be happy to share it with bass blog readers! -Ausberto Acavedo will be available for interviews during the convention, so if you are attending, be sure to look for him at the event. He is looking to do as many interviews as possible during the event, so please say hi to him if you see him in Oklahoma. He'll be wearing a Contrabass Conversations t-shirt and carrying a microphone, so you can't miss him! His trip is being sponsored by the Northeastern Illinois University School of Music, and I'd like to thank the University for making this trip possible. Contrabass Conversations guest and Lyric Opera of Chicago bassist Greg Sarchet is the bass instructor at Northeastern, and you can here him being interviewed on episode 19 of the podcast. I was featured in June of 2006 at Northeastern Illinois University playing a recital on Gary Karr's former 'Amati' (many refer to it as the Karr-Koussevitzky) bass. It was a real treat to get to do this recital, and I'll include a link to my video from this recital in the show notes of this episode. Northeastern Illinois University, with the assistance of Greg Sarchet, set this recital venue up for me, and the Guarneri House of Grand Rapids, Michigan provided me with the bass, and I'm grateful to all three of them for making this event possible. It was a ton of fun to play on this bass, but I have to say that not having the spectre of a recital on a famous bass is making for a much more relaxing June this year! Just a little blogging and podcasting--easy as pie... -I am currently working on Miloslav Gajdos video and audio projects; expect recital showcases soon plus videos on YouTube and on my blog; material kindly provided by Greg Sarchet. Interview with Lawrence Hurst Lawrence
Hurst is the former principal double bass for the Dallas Symphony. He
is a former faculty member of Southern Methodist and Professor Hurst is former director of the University Division of the National Music Camp and is a summer faculty member of the Interlochen Arts Camp. He is past chair of the American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition, and past president of the International Society of Bassists. His former students can be found in many prestigious orchestras, including He has chaired the Indiana University Strings Department for the past 19 years and has been on faculty at Interlochen for the past 40 years. Tracks played: B&W Cat & Brava -� recorded live in Japan website: http://www.thebassgang.org/ members: Antonio Sciancalepore, Andrea Pighi, Alberto Bocini, Amerigo Bernardi Sign-off Website: www.contrabassconversations.com E-mail: contrabassconversations@gmail.com Blog: www.doublebassblog.com Podcast T-shirts, hats, and more: www.cafepress.com/doublebass MySpace: www.myspace.com/cbcpodcast Theme song by Eric Hochberg: www.erichochberg.com Related Posts: Comments[0] |
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Contrabass Conversations
life on the low end of the spectrum with Jason Heath
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