I guess I'm old school but occasionally I get into the newer stuff. Mostly I'm into the following: Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell, Maroon 5, Thelonius Monk, Charlie Mingus, Charlie Haden, King Crimson, Stevie Wonder, David Sylvian, Dead Can Dance, Riyuichi Sakamoto, Brian Eno, Public Image, Golden Paliminos, Sting, The Clash, The Cure, (17 Seconds only), Bowie, Beatles, Stones, Neil Young, Eric Satie, Ravel, Copeland, Jonatha Brooke,John Taylor, XTC, TOOL, Funkadelics, James Brown, Prince, The Zombies, Carole King, Laura Nyro....are you getting the picture?
Neye Benziyor?
I'd like to think I sound like my mentors, Mark Egan, Jaco, etc. But I don't think I do.
I do think I have a sound. Here's a little story about that. When I released my first CD entitled "Edo" my good friend from Chicago, Guitarist Stu Greenspan bought several copies to give to some friends. So he meets up with Chicago percussion great Paul Cotton, whom I've played with years ago. (10 or 14 years). Anyway Stu puts the CD on and says to Paul, "Guess who this is?" And Paul without dropping a beat says "that's Edo."
The Universe often tells you what you need to know. Sometimes through your friends, sometimes in your dreams or just by some coincedence some writing on the wall. At times it's what you need or want to hear and sometimes it's the hard line. The Truth will make you strong, right?
I've been a fan of multi-stringed basses, but I must admit, I've reached my zenith at 7 Strings. I used to play Chapman stick but got tired of playing upside/reverse sideways handstands through 2 amps. I tried 9 but got exhausted trying to remember where the F*** I am on the fingerboard. Too much brain time during jam time doesn't work.
I am a big Conklin Bass Player. My main Conklin is my Zebra wood Fretted 7 String. I have also have a midi 6 , a 2nd 7 string Fretted and an 8 String Fretless Conklin bass. (This guy has got the coolest Jaco tone.)
I decided I wanted to expand my palatte and started searching. About 3 years ago I found a great builder nobody knew about, Sebastien Aquilina.
Anyway I ended having him build me 2 Beautiful fretless 7 string basses. Each has it's own voice and color.
This year after a long, long wait, Carey Nordstrand is going to hand to me my NX 7 string.
He builds his own proprietary pickups which sound out of this world. He's another talented builder to be reckoned with.
For me, that is what I love about my basses: Each has it's own distinct voice and sound.
Ah but what about that "old school" sound? I found a Frankenstein Fender from Bass Northwest. It's a fretless Jazz bass with a Moses Neck, Bartolini PU and the Retro Pre-amp.
Oh my goodness this thing is scary close to Jaco's bass. You can hear it on my 2nd CD "Phoenix" track 4 "Blue Asia". I'm laying down the groove with that one. Oh yeah Mark Egan is playing 8 String fretless on that tune. OUCH!
AccuGroove is the foundation of my sound. You can spend lots of money on a bass but if you're plugging into a "fluffy box" You're wasting your precious bass sound. Mark Wright has been a wonderful supporter of my music and he's a wonderful friend. Not to mention that his cabinets are the best hands down. Most of the other guys (amp cab makers) don't give a rats fart about you unless your ultra famous. Mark is the Salt of the earth. You see, it's us "small" guys that buy the gear. The famous dudes get the s*** for pratically nothing.
I'm done, I'm stepping off the soap box.
As a bassist Im always striving to be my best in the supportive role. Not a day goes by I don't practice my instrument. I know I can never have a perfect day but I can always reach for a quality nearing perfection. Some days are better than others. I try to keep a positive view of my playing and not be consumed by my internal voices. Where I am today may change in a few months. Not so much in sound perhaps but in attitude and my ability to execute ideas thoroughly. The recordings are definite snapshots of who I was as an artist at that time. I dont think Im the same person musically right now.
I've always dreamed of having the ability to go out and play a show by myself like a folk musician with just a bass in hand, a few gadgets and a melody that can be propelled over a bass part. There are a few guys out there who can really tell a story with just a bass and nothing else around them. The last few months I've been composing tunes for solo bass then taking them out "Live" and see how they fly. It's been a great success so far. I try my best not to depend on loops only. I try to learn tunes that force me to play without any gadgets. But at the same time I try to use effects pedals to accentuate my compositions. The bottom line is if you start with great technique and inspirational musicianship, (You're not barfing up scales and modes in the "Dig ME" licks category.) anything on top of that will just be great. This "solo" bass schtick is new to me and I'm excited by the possibilities.
I've played and written for the band format almost exclusively in the last 30 years. I'm not about to give that up. I'm just taking a break from it!
JUST 2 DAYS AWAY!!! This is the first event of it's kind in Seattle.
Don't miss this event!
Go to the website www.uncontainedsound.com now to learn more about it, read some artists bios, listen to a few You Tube videos and then pre-register to get a discount on the door price. Space is limited, so do not miss out on a great opportunity.
Please join us and tell your fellow musicians and friends in Seattle. This will be an amazing opportunity for musicians to learn, network and discover the Sound of Bass featuring our new innovative PowerCabs that totally revolutionize the sound of bass and guitar.
The Sound of Bass Day includes an afternoon of Workshop/Clinic Sessions presented by master bassists Doug Johns (Cleveland OH), E Pruitt (Seattle, WA), Pennal Johnson (Chicago, IL), Randy George (Seattle, WA), Michael Norwood (Jacksonville, FL), Jeff Morgan (Tacoma, WA) and Lawrence Hightower (Olympia, WA) followed by a concert featuring the artists.
By the way, KSM Guitars is sponsoring a video contest and it is now underway! Be sure to enter to win a sponsorship from KSM Guitars and Foundation™ Bass Bridge, as well as other cool prizes, and get valuable exposure!!
Join us for the first ever Sound of Bass Day in Seattle, a great opportunity to learn from world class bassists, meet fellow musicians, and discover some new innovative equipment that will totally revolutionize the Sound of Bass as we know it. And if for any reason you are unable to attend, please check out the website to discover just how amazing these amplifiers really are. www.uncontainedsound.com. Feel free to send this information on to anyone you think may be interested.
Hi Edo, your status update really got me thinking, I should talk more to the people I have as friends on MySpace!
How are you doing? I just got back from a rehearsal that my dad drove me to, 30 miles from my house in the pouring rain and stuck in traffic. It was well worth it though as I got the gig!
Hello Edo!:) How are you doing? I just came home from Bosnia where i did some clinics for Fender:) However - i uploaded a video of me playing and would really appreciate if you check it out. Hope you're having a great time and to hear from you soon... J:)
Hey, Edo, no worries! I still feel bad, though, that I couldn't make it to your gig at Caffe Trieste in San Rafael back a week or so ago. That place screams for people who actually go there to listen to the music instead of yakking their brains out. I had the day off today and went for a walk in the 100 degree heat, it feels pretty good now in my 85 degree house, LOL! Well, have fun in Calisotga, it's gonna be like, 110F up there! Cheers, Nusi xo
