Contrabass Conversations

Michael Valerio is one of the most in-demand bassists in the Los Angeles studio scene. In fact, you've probably listened to Mike play bass more than just about any bass player. If you've ever heard a soundtrack from John Williams, Hans Zimmer, or Danny Elfman in the past couple of decades, you've probably heard Mike playing bass on it.

I've been meaning to interview Mike for years. We actually met nearly 20 years ago when he was principal bassist for the New World Symphony and I was subbing in the group.

Our mutual friend Stephanie Payne let me know that Mike was coming to town to play as a electric bass soloist with the San Francisco Symphony on John Adams' oratorio The Gospel According to the Other Mary. This part is so challenging that Mike had an electric bass made specifically for this piece!

• the experience of studying with Homer Mensch when Mike was a young student
• studying with Lawrence Hurst at Indiana University
• playing with Roger Williams and the New World Symphony (where he was principal bass) simultaneously
• doing the Mancini Institute in LA in high school, which was an opportunity to meet Chuck Berghofer (Barney Miller Theme and These Boots Are Made for Walking) - one of the most famous bassists you've never heard of and the first person to suggest that he move out to LA
• why moving to Los Angeles was the right move for Mike
• how Michael Wilson Thomas helped Mike - introduced him to David Low - a major contractor in LA who was actually a former New World member
• developing the skills to read things on sight
• how the studio scene has changed in the nearly two decades that Mike has been working

It was a pleasure to sit down with Mike and chat for the podcast. I know you'll enjoy listening!

• Mike's Discography
• Mike's LA Phil soloist page
• I left New York for LA because creativity requires the freedom to fail by Moby
• Mike playing Henry Purcell - Fantasias for Strings (YouTube)

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Helicore strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D'Addario string factory in New York and come in orchestral, hybrid, pizzicato, and solo string sets.

Enter our latest string giveaway for Helicore strings at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

• New podcast - Classical Break from Tyler Alderson
• Lee Starovich - bass teacher at Indiana University summer music clinic
• The Strad Masterclass: Leon Bosch on Dragonetti's 'Famous Solo' for double bass
  • check out Leon Bosch on the podcast
• Nina Harries plays Icarus
• from Barrie Kolstein - how to open and close a seam
  • hear Barrie on the podcast

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Helicore strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D'Addario string factory in New York and come in orchestral, hybrid, pizzicato, and solo string sets.

Enter our latest string giveaway for Helicore strings at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Rosin Saver is a revolutionary storage device that keeps bass rosin feeling as fresh as the day it was made. It was developed in Sweden by a pair professional bassists and Rice graduates. What makes bass rosin so soft and sticky is the addition of natural waxes and solvents. Basically, as these evaporate, your rosin becomes a dry, powdery and useless.

Rosin Saver prevents this evaporation by completely saturating the air surrounding your rosin, The result is rosin that always feels and sounds great regardless of the weather, temperature or venue and vastly extends the life of rosin.

Rosin Saver is used by members of top orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the MET orchestra, the Los Angles Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra among many others.

Use the promo code 'HEATH' at checkout for 10% off any and all orders from rosinsaver.com.

The Golden Gate Bass Camp will take place June 26th-30th, 2017. Registration for the camp is now open. It's hosted at the Drew School in San Francisco, and all ages and levels are welcome. We would love to see you at this event!

This episode features an interview with camp director Richard Duke and 2017 faculty members Donovan Stokes and DaXun Zhang.

• Richard Duke - camp director
• DaXun Zhang - soloist and master teacher
• Donovan Stokes - soloist, teacher, and composer
• Inez Wyrick - young bass specialist and bass ensemble arranger
• Scott Pingel - principal bass, San Francisco Symphony and San Francisco Conservatory faculty
• Joe Lescher - principal bass, San Francisco Opera
• Charles Chandler - San Francisco Symphony bassist
• Michael Manring - electric bass virtuoso
• Dan Robbins - looping and effects
• James Garrison - recording technique and electronic music production
• Jason Heath - former DePaul University faculty and Contrabass Conversations host

I've also interviewed several of this year's faculty members for Contrabass Conversations:

• Scott Pingel interview
• Inez Wyrick interview
• Donovan Stokes interview
• DaXun Zhang interview

• Golden Gate Bass Camp on Facebook
• more photos from the 2016 Golden Gate Bass Camp
• the great t-shirt from the 2016 camp

I hope to see you there!

Miles Mosley's solo album Uprising has been turning heads across the globe since its release in early 2017. "Abraham" was named one of NPR's 'Top 100 songs of 2016', and Rolling Stone named him one of the 'Top 10 New Artists You Need to Know'.

The list of artists with which Miles has recorded, toured and collaborated with is remarkable, including Christina Aguilera, Jason Mraz, Chris Cornell, Lauryn Hill, and Mos Def. Miles played for several tracks on Kendrick Lamar's Grammy-winning album 'To Pimp A Butterfly', and he is a co-founder of the West Coast Get Down.

• career diversification
• studying with Ray Brown and John Clayton
• working through the George Vance books
• blocking out a solid month to record with his colleagues
• the evolution of and reasons for the effects that Miles uses
• how Miles got into composing for films

...and much more! I had a great time chatting with Miles for the podcast, and I know you'll enjoy listening!

• Miles' website
• Uprising (new album)
• Miles on Social Media:
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Helicore strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D'Addario string factory in New York and come in orchestral, hybrid, pizzicato, and solo string sets.

Enter our latest string giveaway for Helicore strings at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Bass Works takes place July 23-30, 2017 at Peabody Conservatory. Join former podcast guests Ira Gold, Jeff Weisner, Tracy Rowell, and many others at this dynamic event!

• Bass Works website (registration and detailed info)
• 87 bass players performing All About That Bass at Bass Works 2015 (YouTube)

• Illuminating Music Podcast: Art of Elan podcast from Jory Herman
  • Jory Herman appearance on Contrabass Conversations
• Bass Works in July
  • features many clinicians, including past podcast guests Ira Gold, Tracy Rowell, and Jeff Weisner
• Ask Geoff and Lauren - How to Break Through a Plateau
• New Franck Sonata videos from Matthew McDonald
• 30th Anniversary of Bradetich Master Classes
  • learn about the 2nd International Bradetich Competition

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Helicore strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D'Addario string factory in New York and come in orchestral, hybrid, pizzicato, and solo string sets.

Enter our latest string giveaway for Helicore strings at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Rosin Saver is a revolutionary storage device that keeps bass rosin feeling as fresh as the day it was made. It was developed in Sweden by a pair professional bassists and Rice graduates. What makes bass rosin so soft and sticky is the addition of natural waxes and solvents. Basically, as these evaporate, your rosin becomes a dry, powdery and useless.

Rosin Saver prevents this evaporation by completely saturating the air surrounding your rosin, The result is rosin that always feels and sounds great regardless of the weather, temperature or venue and vastly extends the life of rosin.

Rosin Saver is used by members of top orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the MET orchestra, the Los Angles Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra among many others.

Use the promo code 'HEATH' at checkout for 10% off any and all orders from rosinsaver.com.

I had a great time chatting with Daniel Kimbro for today's episode. Daniel is a member of the Jerry Douglas Band and regularly collaborates with Martin Harley. His bio is a who's who in the world of traditional music.

• growing up in East Tennessee in a very musical family
• his family bluegrass band playing venues like Cumberland Gap and Horton Store
• some of the wackiest small venues he's played (including a place with tanning beds and a hot dog bar)
• how Daniel got from playing taking bed parlors to Telluride
• Edgar Meyer being in the audience for his first gig with the Jerry Douglas Band
• the gear that Daniel uses
• the advantages of using the Chadwick folding bass while on the road
• what Daniel likes about being on the road

• Todd Parks - plays bass with Sam Bush - used to play with Jerry Douglas
• Viktor Krauss - Lyle Lovett band
• Cousin Jake - earlier traditional bluegrass world
• Dennis Crouch - Time Jumpers
• Mike Bub - Del McCoury Band
• Barry Bales - Allison Krauss & Union Station
• Wayne Taylor - Blue Highway
• Mark Schatz - bass and clawhammer banjo
• Byron House - played bass with Sam Bush Band
• Alan Bartram - Del McCoury Band
• Paul Kowert - Punch Brothers
• Ethan Jodziewicz - plays with Sierra Hull
• Derek Jones - Cirque du Soleil

It was great chatting with Daniel, and I can't wait to see how his career continues to evolve!

• Daniel's website
• Cave Bop (YouTube)
• Double Bass Air Travel Experiences (FB Group)

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Helicore strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D'Addario string factory in New York and come in orchestral, hybrid, pizzicato, and solo string sets.

Enter our latest string giveaway for Helicore strings at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

• Audition Breakthrough Summit takes place March 15
  • use code 'contrabass20' for $20 off any pass
  • speakers include Ira Gold
• Remic 5400 and 5400LB review by Adam Booker
• Rentabass.com - find a bass, list a bass
• Michael O'Gieblyn Flex Tux review

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Helicore strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D'Addario string factory in New York and come in orchestral, hybrid, pizzicato, and solo string sets.

Enter our latest string giveaway for Helicore strings at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Rosin Saver is a revolutionary storage device that keeps bass rosin feeling as fresh as the day it was made. It was developed in Sweden by a pair professional bassists and Rice graduates. What makes bass rosin so soft and sticky is the addition of natural waxes and solvents. Basically, as these evaporate, your rosin becomes a dry, powdery and useless.

Rosin Saver prevents this evaporation by completely saturating the air surrounding your rosin, The result is rosin that always feels and sounds great regardless of the weather, temperature or venue and vastly extends the life of rosin.

Rosin Saver is used by members of top orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the MET orchestra, the Los Angles Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra among many others.

Use the promo code 'HEATH' at checkout for 10% off any and all orders from rosinsaver.com.

It was such a pleasure to sit down and chat with John Feeney for this episode. As principal double bass of the American Classical Orchestra and the Orchestra of St. Luke's, John has created an extraordinary career for himself.

• how gut strings in a section coexist well with steel and plastic strings
• that intonation is one of John's favorite things about period groups
• discovering how Boccherini's bass-playing father actually didn't tune in 4ths - it launched John on his journey into the world of period playing
• how the advent of the string quartet was kind of like the Beatles phenomenon for the 18th century
• how Dragonetti and baton conductors shaped the visibility of the bass
• how opening up the 8 foot register by not including a cello can make things so much more spacious

...and much more!

• John's bio
• Back to Bassists: The Restoration of a Symphony (article by John)
• great video of John demonstrating gut strings (YouTube)
• John's YouTube page
• Haydn 6th Symphony (great close-up of John!)
• Dragonetti Concerto in D (Modern World Premiere)

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Helicore strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D'Addario string factory in New York and come in orchestral, hybrid, pizzicato, and solo string sets.

Enter our latest string giveaway for Helicore strings at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

• BASS2018 in Lucca July 30 - August 5, 2018
  • Gabrielle Raggianti and Alberto Bocini will organize
• International Society of Bassists Convention registration now open
• New video for Maverick - Simply Three's first original song
• Ira Gold summer camps
• Paul Cannon video

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Helicore strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D'Addario string factory in New York and come in orchestral, hybrid, pizzicato, and solo string sets.

Enter our latest string giveaway for Helicore strings at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Rosin Saver is a revolutionary storage device that keeps bass rosin feeling as fresh as the day it was made. It was developed in Sweden by a pair professional bassists and Rice graduates. What makes bass rosin so soft and sticky is the addition of natural waxes and solvents. Basically, as these evaporate, your rosin becomes a dry, powdery and useless.

Rosin Saver prevents this evaporation by completely saturating the air surrounding your rosin, The result is rosin that always feels and sounds great regardless of the weather, temperature or venue and vastly extends the life of rosin.

Rosin Saver is used by members of top orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the MET orchestra, the Los Angles Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra among many others.

Use the promo code 'HEATH' at checkout for 10% off any and all orders from rosinsaver.com.