Today we’re featuring Christian Fabian, the longtime bassist for the Lionel Hampton Big Band.  We spent some time in person together during the 2020 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.

Born in Sweden and raised in Germany, Christian attended Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship.  Through Brian Bromberg, one of his early mentors, Christian became the bassist for the Lionel Hampton Band. He currently serves as co-leader of the New Lionel Hampton Band featuring Jason Marsalis, and he also co-founded the Native Jazz Quartet.

We talk about Christian’s long association with the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, what it was like working with Lionel, the joys and challenges of leading the New Lionel Hampton Band, studying with Ron Carter and Mike Longo, and much more. Enjoy!

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• D’Addario Strings
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Contrabass Conversations production team:

• Jason Heath, host
• Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
• Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
• Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
• Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging