It all started eons ago when Bass-O was 3 or 4, the piano was the first of what would be 14 musical victims.
Both parents were working professionals and talented musicians Mom (vocalist), Dad (flamenco guitar and another 6 or 7 toys). If you grew up his house - classical, opera, jazz and world-music dominated the stereos.
He met the bass at age 6 or 7, his neighbor played in a local band. Bass-O would sneak over to play it. Loved the feel, look, energy and sound it was and is an extension of his body, mind and soul. School supplied basses for him but at age 9, his Dad finally bought him one as he constantly nagged him for one. He practiced every waking moment of the day and was fortunate to play a busy and successful school music program that toured and competed regularly on an international scene. He was awarded the "Outstanding Musician" for the 1987 International Music Festival in Montreal.
During university, he turned down numerous music scholarships and opted to stay close to home for school to be close to his father as he had cancer. So he majored in Business and had no regrets as he sees the world with both sides of his brain. However, he had a near fatal fall and another journey began...
He took a 3-year hiatus from the bass and music until he moved to Whistler. The primary purposes of this adventure? Ski his ass off and get away from life for a while. Whistler is a lot like University A FEDERAL RELOCATION WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ADULTS.
Bass-O was happy not playing anymore and tripping out with nature UNTIL . he stumbled in Tommy Africas to see a band Yikes !!!!! The bassist was sooooo terrible that he offered to play for free. The game was afoot yet again. Played in some cool bands up there and sat in with various out of town acts, World Cup Downhill, Summer Love, Sacred Summer (FISHBONE) and a slew of others..
After realizing that Whistler was getting him nowhere, he moved to Vancouver. Played anywhere he could and then joined the PAPERBOYS. Toured all over western North America and quit a few months before they won their first JUNO. Celtic music was never the same after he got his paws on it.. No music, for that matter ever is.
Feeling handcuffed and bored he put the bass down, put on a suit and went corporate and studied music Biz on the side. Played once in a while but just didnt feel the love with music anymore.
In 2001, he started composing and has since composed 650 tunes in 140 styles over 63 days in 4 years. Using a couple of basses, electric/acoustic guitars and a couple of synths. His music is created with no charts or prior knowledge. It just happens. Furthermore, it is all done in 1 take with limited toys at his disposal. So please excuse the imperfections.
2005 was an interesting year for Bass-O to say the least, a complete career change and a journey back into alternaive music with a band called - Unlearned. Extensive gigging and a trip to the finals for the Battle of the Bands were on order here. However all god things come to an end and Bass-O wound up in Australia in 2006 for 6 months as a Music Director on a cruise ship sailing out of Sydney. Playing everything from speed jazz to “I've been everywhere” with composer, Lucky Star, Bass-O was in his groove again.
Currently, Bass-O plays with Jacqui Brown, Steer The Stereo, Soul To Life and FUNKSHUN . He is always available for session work, advice, co-writing and co-producing.
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On a different note, be good to one another, life is too short. Step out of the box with your thinking and pay attention to what the harsh realities of the world. We are the only ones who will make the change. But first it comes from within. Lack of action creates more action. The only one who can change how you think is you. If you believe??? Anything is possible.
Peace, love and eternal grooviness........
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer German philosopher (1788 - 1860)
Recordings of Bass-O
1993 - Solo Debut with Matt Brain on Drums
1999 - Unified Theorists - Bass and Backing Vocals
2001-2005 - Personal Recordings and lots
2005 - Sunday Soul Service w/ Jack Velker, Shelly Kantrow, Ross Barrett, Martin Eade and others...
2005 - Unlearned - Bass
2008- TS
2009 - present- Personal Recordings. Session bassist @ Barrelhouse Sound.
I played bass and did bg's on the video below. Pretty cool eh?
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