Contrabass Conversations

Mark Dresser is a Grammy-nominated, internationally renowned bass player, improviser, composer, and interdisciplinary collaborator. At the core of his music is an artistic obsession and commitment to expanding the sonic, musical, and expressive possibilities of the contrabass. He has recorded over one hundred forty CDs including three solo CDs and a DVD. Mark’s latest solo album is Tines of Change, which features luthier Kent McLagan’s innovative bass designs, including a set of metal tines that can be bowed and plucked. Check out the trailer for Tines of Change here,, and bravo to Mark for this fascinating new sonic adventure. Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music theme music by Eric Hochberg

Gustavo Lorenzatti is an Argentine double bass player, composer and long standing member of the Symphony Orchestra of Córdoba. He has a background in jazz, improvised and classical music, tango and Argentine folklore. He formally studied at the Rotterdam Conservatory of music with the soloist of the Netherlands Philharmonic, Hans Roelofsen. We dig into Gustavo’s path through the music world, his unique approach to composition and solo performance, and also hear several musical examples of his special double bass approach. Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Gustavo on Instagram, Spotify, and YouTube! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Thank you to our sponsor! Dorico - This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music. The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com Eric Hochberg

Anne Luna recently launched a series on her YouTube Channel called Bass Bites, which explore various aspects of double bass technique. Anne is an experienced performer and educator with an extensive background in bluegrass, and these videos are a great exploration into her approach to teaching the bass. We talk about her aspiration for the channel, living in rural New Mexico, the world of bluegrass, and much more in this engaging conversation. Enjoy! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Thank you to our sponsor! Dorico - This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music. The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com Eric Hochberg

Matt Rybicki has performed with renowned artists like Wynton Marsalis and played at esteemed venues from The Village Vanguard to international concert halls. He balances an active performance schedule with his roles as a faculty member at The Juilliard School and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Matt recently started a YouTube Channel titled Learn Jazz Bass with Matt Rybicki, which digs into all kinds of insights into jazz bass for players of all levels. We talk about the inspiration for starting this channel, what it has been like making weekly videos, and much more. Enjoy! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Thank you to our sponsor! Dorico - This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music. The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com Eric Hochberg

Dominik Wagner is one of the world’s leading double bassists and has built a remarkable career as a soloist and educator. He has begun hosting long-form interviews on his YouTube Channel with bassists such as Christoph Wimmer and Jeff Bradetich. We cover Dominik’s latest projects, the inspiration for these long-form interviews, working through focal dystonia, and much more. Enjoy! photo credit: Maria Frodl Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Thank you to our sponsor! Dorico - This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music. The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com Eric Hochberg

Bassists Ari Folman-Cohen, Michael Isvara Montgomery, Ran Livneh, and Scott Colberg make up the Adnata Ensemble, which has just released their debut album Oku. We dig into the story behind this bass quartet, coming together in the park in 2020, how these collaborations led to this album, and much more. Check out Oku here, and be sure to give this quartet a follow on Instagram! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Thank you to our sponsor! Dorico - This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music. The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com Eric Hochberg

Sam Loeck has recently been appointed Principal Bass of Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra. Prior to this position, he served as Principal Bass of the Calgary Philharmonic. He was also a finalist and trialist for Principal Bass of the London Symphony Orchestra. We dig into Sam’s path into the world of double bass and his auditioning journey, exploring the twists and turns and lessons learned. Enjoy! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Thank you to our sponsor! Dorico - This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music. The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com Eric Hochberg

In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of Stephen Tramontozzi's new solo double bass album, Basso Novo. Tramontozzi shares the three-fold mission behind the album: to uncover and bring to light underappreciated works for the double bass, to transcribe works from other instruments for the double bass, and to commission new works for the instrument. This is his fourth, and most ambitious recording project to date, with all tracks designed for solo double bass and featuring contemporary works. Among the highlights, Tramontozzi commissioned Larry Wolfe from the Boston Symphony Orchestra for a suite, "Blomidon Set", inspired by Bach suites but adding a twist from Celtic, Scottish, Irish, and Acadian fiddler traditions. An exciting addition to the album is "The Earth and Stars", a piece written by talented composition student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, José Vargas. This piece, which Tramontozzi premiered in the previous year, stands out as the only track where he used his orchestra tuned bass. The album also features other important works like "Ballade" by Ranjbaran, written for the 1999 International Society of Bassists solo competition, "Hommage a J.S. Bach" by Zbinden, and Berio's short gem "Psy". Join us as we explore the rich sounds and captivating stories behind Basso Novo. Check out the sheet music for Blomidon Set here, and be sure to check out the latest album on Apple Music and Spotify! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Thank you to our sponsor! Dorico - This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music. The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com Eric Hochberg

Lauren Pierce recently released Basstudes, a series of 16 etudes organized around bowing, left hand technique, and right and left-hand coordination. We dig into the inspiration behind this project, her accompanying audio guides, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out more titles from Lauren on DBHQ and also give her a follow on Instagram. Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Thank you to our sponsor! Dorico - This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music. The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com Eric Hochberg

Sean Michael Casey has just released A Progressive Guide to Orchestral Excerpts for the Double Bass, which is a step-by-step method for teaching the fundamentals of good orchestral double bass playing. Sean is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the American Federation of Musicians, and the International Society of Bassists. Sean currently operates a teaching studio in Allen, TX, with students making All-Region and chosen for TMEA’s All-State orchestras. His students have attended prestigious music schools like Baylor and Julliard. Learn more about Sean on his website, and pick up a copy of his book in our DBHQ sheet music store! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Thank you to our sponsor! Dorico - This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music. The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com Eric Hochberg

Jordyn Davis, a multi-talented bassist, composer, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Detroit, MI, is the first African-American woman to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition from Michigan State University. She also earned a Master's in Jazz Studies from the same university. In 2021, after moving to Brooklyn, NY, she was honored as one of the inaugural Jazz Leader Fellowship recipients by the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. Recently, she has worked on the Tony-Winning Broadway Musical “New York, New York: A new musical and had a residency at Brown University collaborating with Craig Harris & the contemporary dance company Urban Bush Women. We talk about her journey into bass, studies with Rodney Whittaker, life in New York City, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with her work on her website, Facebook, and Instagram! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Thank you to our sponsor! Dorico - This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music. The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com Eric Hochberg

Jacob Warren has just released his transcription of the Debussy Cello Sonata, which was the main piece on his competition winning program at the 2023 International Society of Bassists Convention. This transcription is a notable new addition to the double bass repertoire and a great opportunity to explore the music of this great composer. We talk about the history of this piece as well as the challenges and solutions for mapping this piece out on the bass. We also listen to several selections of Jacob’s new recording of this work and break down the specifics of these sections. Jacob’s transcription is available in our store here. Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Thank you to our sponsor! Dorico - This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music. The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com Eric Hochberg

Dr. Mark Foley is Professor of Double Bass and Electric Bass at Wichita State University is the Principal Double Bass for the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. He's also a key figure in Wichita's jazz scene, collaborating with local and national artists, and has performed as a concerto soloist. Mark also engages in rock gigs, bluegrass sessions at the Walnut Valley Music Festival, and creates records and live electronic music as a composer. Mark recently premiered his Little Wichita Concerto for Double Bass and Chamber Orchestra with the Wichita State Symphony Orchestra. We talk about Mark’s background, getting into composition, what it was like writing this piece, and much more. Enjoy, and check out this great local news clip about the piece with Mark Foley and his WSU colleague Mark Laycock! Photo: Douglas Hahn Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet musicEric Hochberg Thank you to our sponsor! Dorico - This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music. The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com

In this episode, we delve into Only Girl in the Orchestra, a new documentary directed by Molly O’Brien about the life and career of trailblazer Orin O’Brien, the first female musician in the New York Philharmonic. Despite the spotlight her unique position brought, Orin always preferred playing a supporting role to her family, students, friends, and colleagues. Jason and Molly are joined by editor Monique Zavistovski to discuss this remarkable profile of one of the double bassist’s major figures. Tickets are available now for the next screening of Only Girl in the Orchestra, which will take place on Saturday, February 3rd, at MoMA in New York City. Learn more about this documentary on their website, and learn more about Molly, Monique, and all of the other collaborators here. Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet musicEric Hochberg Thank you to our sponsor, Dorico: This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico, the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg that’s packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music. The latest version of Dorico 5 includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com.

Michael Bates recently released an album titled Metamorphosis: Variations on Lutoskawski. This album contains Michael’s arrangements and is based on arrangements of the composer Witold Lutoslawski, with music for clarinet, violin, bassoon, double bass, drums, plus string quartet. It’s a hybrid of jazz, classical, and improvisation and is a wild ride of styles and textures. We talk about the genesis of this idea, what it was like traveling to Poland to record this album, plans or touring with this ensemble, future projects with the Lutoslawski quartet, and more. Check out the promo for this project on YouTube, give the album a listen on Spotify and Apple Music, and follow along with Michael’s inspiring work on Instagram! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Timestamps Eric Hochberg 00:00 Introduction and Album Promotion 00:08 Discussing Michael Bates' New Album 01:02 Catching Up with Michael Bates 01:16 Exploring Lutoslavsky's Music 04:03 The Making of the Album 09:55 Sponsor Shoutout: Carnegie Mellon University 12:05 Deep Dive into Lutoslavsky's Music 16:32 The Composing Process 22:51 Finding Inspiration in the Backyard 23:31 The Art of Balancing Work and Rest 24:19 The Challenges of Being an Early Riser in the Music Industry 25:19 The Ideal Environment for Writing Music 26:22 Drawing Inspiration from Ludo Slavsky 26:43 The Journey of Creating the Album 31:03 The Influence of Polish Musicians and Culture 34:25 Future Projects and Plans 36:48 The Role of Instruments in Music Creation 42:03 The Power of Podcasts in Connecting Musicians 42:52 Wrapping Up and Looking Forward

Hein van de Geyn is jazz double bassist, composer, teacher and band leader from the Netherlands. His groundbreaking Comprehensive Bass Method has influenced a generation of bassists and is widely regarded as one of the leading pedagogical works for jazz double bass. We talk about Hein’s remarkable career, his time in San Francisco, writing his bass method, what life in South Africa has been like these last several years, and much more. Enjoy! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet musicEric Hochberg Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 01:28 Getting to Know Hein van de Gein 01:50 Reminiscing About San Francisco's Jazz Scene 03:17 Exploring the Jazz Scene in South Africa 04:35 The Importance of Practice and Mastery 10:17 The Role of a Music Teacher 14:10 The Art of Improvisation and Composition 18:12 The Value of Consistent Practice 22:33 The Journey of Learning and Teaching Music 26:58 Closing Thoughts and Reflections 28:50 Discovering Pablo Records and Dreaming of Playing 29:09 Memories of Performing with Joe Pass 30:07 The Art of Musical Language and Influence of Charlie Hayden 31:14 The Impact of Michael Brecker and the Role of Charlie Hayden 32:03 Reflections on Early Musical Influences and Evolution 32:56 The Shift in Bass Playing and Amplification Over the Years 33:33 The Unexpected Impact of Jaco Pastorius 34:57 The Evolution of Bass Amplification and Sound 36:56 Memories of Playing with Jazz Legends 39:00 The Importance of Technique and Style in Bass Playing 42:10 The Transition from Jazz Musician to South African Entrepreneur 47:32 The Enduring Passion for Music and Jazz 52:31 Lessons Learned from Playing with Jazz Greats 53:55 Closing Thoughts on the Global Jazz Community

Jason selects on 2023 and plans for 2024 in this “solo rant.” Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Overview Eric Hochberg

Steve Husted began his musical journey at the ripe old age of 6. From there he was always involved in everything musical from school band to private instruction to playing local parties for friends. At age 15, Steven moved from CT. to San Francisco, where he jumped head first into the study of jazz. By the time Steven was 23, he was one of the top call bassists in the San Francisco Bay Area, including 6 years teaching at the acclaimed Stanford Jazz Workshop. Steven has played with many jazz greats including Kenny Burrell, Billy Higgins, and Vince Wallace. Now residing in Austin, TX, Steven remains an in demand bassist/composer and band leader. We talk about growing up in San Francisco, his new album Standards and Then Some, how life led hi to move to Austin, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Steve’s cool new album and also follow him on Instagram and his website! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Thank you to our sponsors! Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio – The School of Music at CMU highly values each and every individual who wants to be a part of an innovative fine arts community immersed in a top research university. Every week each student receives private lessons and participates in a solo class with Micah Howard. Peter Guild, another member of the PSO, teaches Orchestral Literature and Repertoire weekly. They encourage students to reach out to the great bassists in their area for lessons and direction. Many of the bassists from all of the city’s ensembles are more than willing to lend a hand. Every year members of the Symphony, the Opera and the Ballet give classes and offer our students individual attention. Click here to visit Micah’s website and to sign up for a free online trial lesson. Eric Hochberg

Sonia Ray is titular professor of double bass at the Federal University of Goiás (Brazil). She holds an undergraduate degree in Conducting and Composition from the State University of São Paulo and master's and Doctoral Degrees from the University of Iowa, both in Double Bass Performance under Dr. Gannett. Ray performs regularly performing both Brazilian and contemporary repertoire as a priority. Guest artist of ISB since 1993, Ray is a co-founding member of the Brazilian Society of Music Performance (ABRAPEM) and the Brazilian Society of Bassists (ABC). We talk about Sonia’s background, her cool daily interview series from 2020, how she got into composition and bass, and much more. Enjoy! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bassdouble bass merchdouble bass sheet music Thank you to our sponsors! Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio – The School of Music at CMU highly values each and every individual who wants to be a part of an innovative fine arts community immersed in a top research university. Every week each student receives private lessons and participates in a solo class with Micah Howard. Peter Guild, another member of the PSO, teaches Orchestral Literature and Repertoire weekly. They encourage students to reach out to the great bassists in their area for lessons and direction. Many of the bassists from all of the city’s ensembles are more than willing to lend a hand. Every year members of the Symphony, the Opera and the Ballet give classes and offer our students individual attention. Click here to visit Micah’s website and to sign up for a free online trial lesson. Eric Hochberg