Bob Nieske teaches at Brandeis University and the New England Conservatory. He has worked with George Russell, Stephane Grappelli, and many other jazz luminaries. As bassist, composer, and bandleader, his projects include a suite for his jazz trio, and the Lydian String Quartet, documented on his critically acclaimed CD Simplicity.

We dig into many topics, including:

• why we shouldn’t be watching the left hand as we play
• intonation and the jazz bassist
• Bob's journey from bass to tuba to composition to classical guitar and finally back to bass
• George Russell and how he looked at modes
• linear lines through the chord changes and getting away from being so root-bound
• Brandeis jazz band shirts - front says “what if?” and back says “why not?"

Follow along with all of our jazz content at contrabassconversations.com/jazz!

Links to check out:

• Bob's Bass Book (free and full of great content)
• Maine Jazz Camp (where Bob teaches in the summer)

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