Contrabass Conversations

In addition to being a bassist and working with artists like Elvin Jones and Miles Davis, Gene Perla is a composer, arranger, orchestrator, band leader, manager, booking agent, music publisher, record company executive, producer, Broadway sound designer, and much more.

Gene and I engage in a delightful and insightful conversation about how the music business has changed and where it's headed.

Gene Perla was raised in New Jersey where he studied classical piano and trombone. After attending Berklee School of Music he moved to New York and began his musical career as a jazz bassist. He has performed and/or recorded with Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Elvin Jones, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Chuck Mangione, Joni Mitchell, Buddy Rich, Sonny Rollins, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Stone Alliance, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, and others.

In the early 1970's he formed music publishing and record companies, and his group "Stone Alliance" traveled to South America and Europe which gave him experience in management and booking. Other efforts include Broadway sound design (Tony Award for "City of Angels"), and recording studio operations.

He is currently playing his basses, producing records, running an Internet design and hosting company, is Webmaster for the Jazz Education Network, and teaching music business and other subjects at Lehigh University and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.

His musical performance activities continue with the wonderful vocalist Viktorija Gečytė and his groups "New Light," "Fine Wine Trio," "Go Trio," "Axiom Jump," "Funk Xpress," "Fleet Wing," and the new "The Gene Machine Quintet."

• Gene's website
• The Gene Machine
• Gene Perla performing with Viktorija Gečytė

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

A440 Violin Shop - An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

The Bass Violin Shop, which offers the Southeast's largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

This special episode is brought to you by The English Double Bass Book! We speak with former podcast guests Thomas Martin and George Martin along with Martin Lawrence about this exciting new offering. Be sure to visit www.theenglishdoublebass.com to reserve your patron copy now!

The English Double Bass examines the great English double bass makers of the 18th and 19th Century, illustrating in fine detail the incredible work they produced. It also explores the fascinating story of how the double bass came to England, its development guided by the great Venetian virtuoso Domenico Dragonetti, and the rise and fall of the English double bass makers.

• The definitive work on the English double bass
• An exquisite leather-bound book spanning over 400 pages with more than 500 beautiful colour photographs
• More than 70 instruments from England's best-known double bass makers

Published in Spring 2018. To pre-order your limited-edition copy, please visit www.theenglishdoublebass.com.

I've been looking forward to chatting with Milton Masciadri for quite some time!

Milton is Distinguished University Professor of the University of Georgia and is a UNESCO Artist for Peace. He has been highly involved in the international double bass community for over 30 years.

Milton Masciadri is a third generation of double bass player. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, he began his studies with his father and by age 17 was Co-principal Bassist with the Porto Alegre Symphony in Brazil. At 19, he was already on the faculty at Brazil's Federal University. He completed his Master's and Doctorate Degrees with work under Gary Karr, Julius Levine and Lawrence Wolfe.

In addition to being Professor of Double Bass at the University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music, Masciadri is also coordinator of the Hodgson School's International & Study Abroad Program, and each year he directs the University of Georgia International Double Bass Symposium.

In 2009 Dr. Masciadri received the title of Distinguished University Professor of the University of Georgia, the first faculty member in the fine arts to be so honored in 62 years, and he also holds the title of "Accademico" of the Accademia Filarmonica in Bologna, Italy – Europe's oldest musical educational institution. He has been awarded the Brazilian Medal of Honor for Academic Achievements for his musical and educational services to the people of Brazil, is listed in the "International Who's Who in Music", in 1998 was designated a UNESCO Artist for Peace and in 2011 he received the Knighthood honor of the designation of Cavaglieri di San Marco in Venice.

Masciadri has presented master classes at such musical institutions as The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Paris Conservatoire, Guildhall School of Music in London, Moscow Conservatory, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires National Conservatory, and Milan Conservatorio, among many others. During the summers he teaches at several international music festivals and double bass conventions in the United States, South America and Europe. His solo recordings have been released on the DMR, Sinfonica, ACA & Fondazione labels.

As a performer, Dr. Masciadri has performed chamber music and duets with such artists as George Bolet, Robert Mc Duffie, Aldo Parisot, Sidney Harth, Gary Karr, and Francesco Petracchi, in addition to appearing in collaborations around the world with United Nations musical ambassadors. His solo performances have taken place at such internationally renowned concert venues as New York's Lincoln Center, Venice's "La Fenice" Opera House, Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, Castro Alves Opera House in Salvador (Bahia, Brazil), and the Municipal Theater of Sao Paulo. He is a frequent recitalist and soloist with major symphony orchestras in Europe, Asia, North America, Central America and South America.

Masciadri's enthusiasm for enlarging the repertoire of the double bass has led him to publish and premiere works of many contemporary American and South American composers, including works commissioned for him by such institutions as UNESCO and Funarte (Brazilian Foundation for the Arts) as well as making contributions of his own with numerous transcriptions and arrangements.

Some of Masciadri 2015 performances included performances in Italy, Spain, France, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, China, Russia, Canada, Slovenia, Croatia and the United States. Masciadri performes on a 320 years old Testore double bass, appears in the International Who's Who in Music and has solo recordings on DMR, ACA, Fondazione & Sinfonica Labels.

• Milton's University of Georgia faculty page
• Inside Stories: Milton Masciadri
• Milton Masciadri Honored with Leonardo da Vinci World Award of Arts

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long "Karr neck" has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

Check out this video of David Murray "auditioning" his Upton Bass!

The Bass Violin Shop, which offers the Southeast's largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

I'm thrilled to be chatting today with Alexandra Scott! Alexandra plays bass in the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and teaches at the Hochschule für Musik in Karlsruhe, and she was a headliner for the 2017 International Society of Bassists Convention.

Born in Somerset, England, Alexandra Scott began her studies at the Yehudi Menuhin School in London. Later, whilst studying at the Royal Academy of Music, she became a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra, the Mahler Youth Orchestra and the UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra. She completed her bachelor of music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with "First-Class Honours" under Rinat Ibragimov.

In 2005 Alexandra moved to Berlin where she held a scholarship from the Berlin Philharmonic Karajan Academy. Among her teachers at this time were Klaus Stoll, Janne Saksala and Esko Laine. At the age of 23 she was appointed Principal Double Bass with the NRD Radio Philharmonic in Hanover.

Alexandra is a dedicated chamber musician and appears regularly at leading international festivals in collaboration with artists such as Lisa Batiashvili, Gautier Capuçon, Reinhold Friedrich, Francois Leleux, Vilde Frang, Valeriy Sokolov, Eduard Brunner, Sergio Azzolini und Harriet Krijgh. She often plays with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and Amsterdam Sinfonietta, and is a founding member of the period instrument ensemble, L'accademia giocosa.

Since May 2007, Alexandra holds the position of Sub-Principal Double Bass with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, with whom she played as a soloist under Maris Jansons in 2015.

Alexandra is also a passionate teacher. Since 2012 she has been Professor for Double Bass at the Hochschule für Musik in Karlsruhe. Alongside teaching the members of the Academy of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, she also coaches the Gustav Mahler Academy, the German Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

• Alexandra's Website
• Interview (in German) with Alexandra

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long "Karr neck" has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

Check out this video of David Murray "auditioning" his Upton Bass!

The Bass Violin Shop, which offers the Southeast's largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

It was great to chat with Scott Lang for the podcast! Scott is a music education leadership specialist and public speaker with an inspiring mission: enroll one million new music students in our schools each year.

Scott has made the lives of music educators worldwide significantly easier with his Be Part of the Music initiative. We talk about this, his wonderful book Seriously?!, how to get students and parents involved in leadership roles, and much more!

For over a decade Scott Lang has been educating and entertaining audiences of all ages. As a nationally known leadership trainer, Scott conducts over 120 workshops annually and works with some of our countries finest educational groups and performing ensembles.

As a highly decorated veteran teacher of sixteen years Scott's bands have had many notable performances including the Pasadena Tournament of Rose Parade, the Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship, the Music Educators National Biennial Conference and for the President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton.

Scott is a well know author with over ten publications to his credit including; Seriously?!, Leader of the Band, Leadership Success, Leadership Travel Guide, Leadership Survival Guide and the highly successful Be Part of the Music series.

Mr. Lang currently resides in Chandler, Arizona with his beautiful wife Leah and their sons, Brayden, Evan and their highly irrational Golden Retriever Rexie. He has breathed in and out approximately 264 million times and plans to keep on doing so until he doubles that number.

• Scott's Website
• Be Part of the Music
• Seriously?!: Ruminations, Affirmations, and Observations About Music Education by Scott Lang

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long "Karr neck" has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

Check out this video of David Murray "auditioning" his Upton Bass!

A440 Violin Shop - An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

The Bass Violin Shop, which offers the Southeast's largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

It was great to chat with Marlene Rosenberg for the podcast! Marlene is a Chicago-based jazz bassist and educator and is one of the most active players in the local scene.

Marlene Rosenberg has emerged as one of the most talented and multi-faceted bass players on the scene today. She has played professionally throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America and Japan, performing with innumerable jazz luminaries, such as Kenny Barron, Frank Foster, Stan Getz, Albert "Tootie" Health, Joe Henderson, Marian McPartland, Cedar Walton,Wallace Roney, David "Fathead" Newman, Monty Alexander, Kevin Mahogony, Frank Morgan Frank Wess, Joe Williams and Nancy Wilson, to name a few. Her stylistic range encompasses everything from traditional Big Band to intimate experimental ensembles.

Rosenberg was featured on the recording of the Ed Thigpen Quartet entitled "Easy Flight." Thigpen believes, "What makes Marlene special is her strength and depth of understanding of music. In a world of clones, she has managed to emerge as her own person with her own sound and feel… her time feel is steady and swings like mad."

Rosenberg, who grew up in Illinois, began clarinet studies at the age of ten and took up the electric bass in high school, playing in the jazz band. She began acoustic bass in college at the University of Illinois, where she received the Smith Memorial Women's Scholarship in 1977, and the University of Illinois Bass-Violas Scholarship two years in a row. Well versed in both the classical and jazz aspects of her instrument, she performed with the University's main symphony orchestra as well as the prestigious U of Jazz Band, the top of six bands in University of Illinois, and a Masters of Music in Jazz Pedagogy from North western University in June of 1999.

In 1985, Rosenberg received an National Endownment of The Arts Jazz fellowship grant,which she used for intensive private study with Ron Carter, Hal Galper, Milk Richmond and Jim Mcneeley. She also counts among her teachers Warren Benfield (Chicago Symphony), Jeff Bradetich (Northwestern University), Ed Krolick and John Gravey (University Of Illinois), and Karl Fruh (Roosevelt University).She also Studied for a 9 month period with Rob Kassinger from the Chicago Symphony (2010) Also, as mentors, Rosenberg counts Rufus Reid and Ray Brown,John Clayton and Buster Williams.

In Addition to her versatility as a bassist, Rosenberg has developed a keen interest and capability in the performance of ethnic music. She has performed and recorded with the Balkan Rhythm Band, which focuses on traditional music from Yugoslavia, Serbia and Greece. Her enthusiasm for the drumming and dance of West Africa has promoted study with master drummers from Ghana as well as participation in an African drumming group in Chicago.

Rosenberg has worked with numerous modern dance troupes, improvising on both bass and percussion. All this experience have added an extra dimension to Rosenberg's Jazz work giving it a rare depth and range.

Committed to imparting her knowledge to others, Rosenberg currently teaches privately in the Chicago area. She has given special workshops in high schools throughout the Chicago area and has been a clinician at the Saskatchewan School of the Arts in Canada. She has been involved with the Ravinia Jazz Mentors program in the Chicago public high schools.Rosenberg has given workshops on creating melodic bass lines at the International Society of Bassists conference.She was Adjunct Professor at Northern Illinois for 13 years University (1994-2007),teaching Bass Studio and Jazz History (1 Semester). Rosenberg was a full time professor at Western Illinois University, in Macomb, IL for 3 years from 2007-2010 (Teaching Bass, World Music, Popular Music & Jazz Combos)and currently is music faculty teaching jazz combos at Northwestern University (2009-current),in Evanston,Illinois. She also is on the Music Faculty at Roosevelt University, in Chicago.She has been working with students at the Gallery 37 Program in Chicago, Sponsored by the Thelonius Monk Intitute in Washington D.C.

Rosenberg has recorded radio and television commercials for McDonald's and Ameritech, among others.

Rosenberg made her debut as a leader and composer on her compact disc "Waimea" (Bassline). Her latest CD "Pieces Of…"(Bassline) presents her as arranger as well as composer. PIECES OF… features pianist Cedar Walton and saxophonist Javon Jackson. Currently, (2011) she is a recipient of an Illinois Arts Council Grant which will help to complete her 3rd self Produced CD.

• Marlene's Website
• Northern Illinois University - Double Bassist's Guide to Colleges

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long "Karr neck" has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

Check out this video of David Murray "auditioning" his Upton Bass!

The Bass Violin Shop, which offers the Southeast's largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

This is a look back an an interesting conversation from 2009 that podcast co-host John Grillo and I had about my book Road Warrior Without an Expense Account. Today we take a look back at:

• what has changed in the orchestra world
• what has changed for Jason personally and professionally since this original episode

Check out the original episode here.

We chat with frequent podcast co-host John Grillo about a new project called Orchestra Confidential.

This is a project that had been many years in the making, and if you'd like to be involved, contact John at [email protected].

• The State of the Orchestra (podcast from 2009)
• The Orchestral Dream is Dead with Matt Waters
• past episodes featuring John
• John Grillo Recital Showcase (from 2007--the first music put out on the podcast)
• email John

It was a treat to sit down and chat with world music bassist Elsen Price for the podcast! Elsen is based in Sydney, Australia and is incredibly active as a solo and collaborative artist.

(excerpt from Elsen Price: Totally addicted to Bass by Samuel Cottell)

Double bass player Elsen Price is making his mark on the music scene in a range of settings. He recently performed his original composition 'red planet' as part of Sydney's Vivid Music at the Seymour Centre, where he also commissioned a new work for double bass and mandolin. Elsen also regularly performs his original music in cafés for five hours at a time (lucky there is coffee on hand), and is undertaking many collaborations with renowned musicians. His musical style is as diverse as the musical settings he performs in and, listening to his compositions and recordings, you can certainly hear a clear cut and confident musical voice. Elsen has a way of engaging audiences with his music, but it all boils down to the level of conviction you give in the performing of the music.

Based in Sydney, Elsen grew up in the country six hours of out of the city and first heard the violin at an annual country music festival. "I've been fascinated by the fiddle playing from the first time I heard it," Elsen says. "It didn't all start out easy for Elsen, who suffered from a physical condition called 'syndactyly', which often leaves a person with limited use of their hands and fingers. "My mum figured playing an instrument would help my hands develop and seeing as I was already obsessed with the violin, she let me learn it," says Elsen.

(read more)

• Elsen on Facebook
• Chicken Chili Basil - Elsen's latest album

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long "Karr neck" has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

Check out this video of David Murray "auditioning" his Upton Bass!

A440 Violin Shop - An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

The Bass Violin Shop, which offers the Southeast's largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

It has been such a pleasure getting to know Charles Chandler since moving to San Francisco! In addition to playing in the San Francisco Symphony, Charles teaches at the San Francisco Academy Orchestra and is an active soloist and chamber musician.

He is actively involved with the Golden Gate Bass Camp and other Bay Area double bass events and is a champion of new and previously undiscovered works for the double bass.

Bassist Charles Chandler has been a member of the San Francisco Symphony since 1992. Prior to his current position, he was Associate Principal Bass and Soloist with the Phoenix Symphony. He also served as Principal Bass of the Carmel Bach Festival Orchestra and the New York 20th Century Chamber Players.

His primary teachers were Shinji Eshima of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and David Walter at the Juilliard School. His numerous honors and awards include the San Francisco Symphony Pepsi Cola Young Musician Award, the Pittenger Scholarship, the Irving Klein Scholarship, and first prize in the A.S.T.A. National String Competition.

Upon receiving his Bachelor of Music degree from Juilliard in 1987, Charles Chandler was selected to perform as a member of the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival under the direction of Leonard Bernstein. Playing with Marin Symphony, he has enjoyed performing with his wife Van, a violinist.

He also performs at the Music@Menlo Festival and Chamber Music Sundaes series and frequently records at Skywalker Ranch. Mr. Chandler resides in San Francisco with his wife and their daughter Julie. When not playing on his 1750 double bass made by the Venetian luthier, Domenico Busan, he enjoys organic gardening, bicycling, hiking and spending time with his family.

• Rossini Duetto - 1st Movement (Charles Chandler and Amos Yang, recital live in Davies Hall, 2014)
• Francesco Burlone Sonata No. 8 for Two Basses "The Ferrret" - Mov. 1 Allegro Appassionato - with Charles Chandler & Mark Wright, double bass
• Francesco Burlone - Prelude to Act III from the opera "Phoebus and Daphne" arranged by the composer for cello and 2 double basses (Amos Yang, Mark Wright, and Charles Chandler, recital live in Davies Hall)
• Francesco Burlone "Gambo d' amore" from the opera "La Vigna Incantevole" for Bass and Piano (Sujeevah Hapugalle, piano)
• Francesco Burlone "O! Mie Stelle" from the opera "Galileo" for bass and piano (Sujeevah Hapugalle, piano)
• Pierre-Louis Hus Desforges Sonata for Cello and bass (with Amos Yang live in Davies Hall)

• Charles' website
• Charles' San Francisco Symphony page
• Charles' San Francisco Academy Orchestra page
• Shinji Eshima Interview (Shinji taught Charles during high school)

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

The Bass Violin Shop, which offers the Southeast's largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!