Bands/Artists I've worked with since arriving in Austin:
Hal Ketchum, Cornell Hurd Band, Django's Moustache, Paris 49, T Jarrod Bonta Trio, Jim Stringer & The AM Band, Rob Roy Parnell, Brannen Temple 4-tet, Ephraim Owens, Abra Moore, Darin Layne, O Positivo, Soniquette, Tony Campisi, Jon Blondell, Leo Rondeau, Lucky Tubb, Dr. James Polk, Kevin Carroll, Tres, Aaron Lack Trio, Ernie Durawa, Ted Hall, more to come....
Here is my latest video demo - The Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0/Uber Bass 410 rig.
Here's some footage from a recent clinic that was shot on the sly, check out the new Lakland 4-94CS.
Here are some Youtube hits:
Influences
Bass Influences: Jazz: Scott LaFaro, Eddie Gomez, Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Niels Henning, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius, John Pattitucci, among many others.
Blues-R&B: James Jamerson, Jerry Jemmot, Chuck Rainey, Willie Dixon, Big Crawford, Mudcat Ward, Tommy Shannon, among many others.
Rock: Jack Casady, Jack Bruce, Phil Lesh, Lee Sklar, Tony Levin, among many others.
Country: Bob Moore, Roy Husky Sr., Harold Bradley, and all the great unnamed heros of country bass.
Miscellaneous Bass Heros: Michael Manring, Victor Wooten, Victor Bailey, Otiel Burbridge, Dominic DiPiazza, and many others.
I've become well known throughout the bass community as the author of many highly regarded instructional books and DVDs. My first book, "Building Walking Bass Lines" has been in print since 1993 and has taught a generation of bassists how to play walking lines. As a Bass Player Magazine columnist for many years, and as Senior Editor for the now-defunct Bass Guitar Magazine, I've written hundreds of articles on instructional topics, personality profiles and gear reviews. Currently laboring in obscurity as the only bass gear reviewer for Guitar World Magazine, I still have a hand in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of music journalism. But my recent relocation to Austin, TX has placed me in the middle of an active live music scene.
Based on my ability to write clearly and teach music, it has been a general assumption that I can also PLAY the bass. And so, this somewhat late entry to the world of Myspace is an attempt to further that assumption to it's logical end—that, being a gig.
With a long and checkered past in the world of jazz, I've had the opportunity to back up many top name artists like Lew Tabackin, Illinois Jaquette, Wycliffe Gordon, Eddie Daniels, Larry Coryell, Tierney Sutton, Bud Shank, Paul Horn, Robben Ford, Josh Breakstone, George Garzone, and many others.
But jazz is just one aspect of my musical capabilities and tastes. While having chops, education, creativity, intuition and a large memorized repertoire is a great help in high-level jazz situations - I've found that simple, groove-oriented bass playing is what activates my nirvana-gland (the experience, not the band).
I've spent a lot of time playing Blues, New Orleans R&B, Country, "Classic" R&B, Rock, Funk, Latin, and other assorted styles of music, and I do my best to approach them all with a sense of authenticity and respect. The last thing I want is to play a country gig and have people be able to tell that I'm a jazz player. What's worse than a bass player that feels compelled to let everyone know they can play "Donna Lee" on a blues gig? (rhetorical question)
As a bassist that wears many hats (literally, and ... uh ... the other way) I have collected a diverse arsenal of basses with the intent of having the perfect tool for any musical situation I might fall into. While I could just as easily own a Fender P-Bass and leave it at that, instead I have 3 set up for different types of playing. Add to that 2 Jazzes, a few 5 strings, a fretless, a 6 string, some unique axes for special color, 2 upright basses (one with steel strings, one with gut), not to mention a variety of great amps... Okay I have a problem with buying gear, that's obvious, but they all serve their unique purpose. You wouldn't want a surgeon with only one scalpel? A plumber with only one wrench? A dentist with only one hand? You get the picture.
This is supposed to be a bio—you want to know about my exciting life? Hire me and I'll tell you all about it on a break. In the meantime, check out the selections in my jukebox. I've edited together different "streams" with clips of various tracks in specific styles.
I spent the first 15 years of my bass playing career trying to blow people away with my soloing ability, playing lots of informed melodic stuff, technical wizardry, slapping funk, long serpentine excursions into thumb position on the upright, playing chords on electric bass, yadda, yadda... I can still get into that, but for the last 15 years, (hard to believe I'm at this for 30 years...) I've put more emphasis on groove, feel, playing the "right" stuff, and sticking out less in a band. I've come to really enjoy shedding the yoke of cleverness, just let me play something fat and stupid.
So, welcome to my myspace page. I've resisted this for some time, but what the hell... I'm 3 years behind the curve, right where I like to be!
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
Hi! I've just uploaded a new demo track of my all bass waltz "Angel" as well as new demos of "Soulmates" and "At the Going Down of the Sun" I hope you will get to check them out and let me know what you think :)
Ed thank you for add and for all the hard work with the bass guitars reviews. You really set trends for all these low sounds seekers. Keep up the good work Ed, waiting for more groovy reviews.
Hi Ed! I've been playing guitar since 1974 but have also played bass on a lot of my recordings for the last 10 years. You instructional methodology rocks. I've bought a number of you instructional books and DVDs to help me kick my bass up a notch or five and they are all super. One thing I like is how you show the most efficient and effective way of using both hands and sets of fingers. I only wish I could have had something comparable when I started on guitar with lots of bad street player habits. Instead of just saying "play these notes" you show effective methods from the finger level. Like on bass, snapping your picking finger into your thumb, that was a revelation. I still wish I could find something comparable for guitar. And oh yeah, you're a kicking bassist period, I love hearing you play. rock ON, john.
Hi Ed. Your instructional videos are some of the best for any instrument, and you've got killer groove and tone as a player. Far out, solid and right on.
happy bday, my teacher Ed! wishing you all the great things in life, hope this day will bring you an extra share of all that makes you happiest. avec amour et sourire, kaz
In Bass Grooves, you recommend purchasing a drum machine. Is there a more affordable alternative to this? I'm thinking of something like a specific kind of software?
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