Contrabass Conversations

Melody Ruiz is writing a book about Thelma Terry, a double bassist and bandleader in 1920s Chicago. She documents her research process on Instagram and is crowdfunding the project through gofundme and Etsy.

We discuss how Melody discovered Thelma's story, the challenges and rewards of researching someone from a century ago, and the fascinating discoveries she's made along the way.

We'll reconnect with Melody as her book nears publication. Meanwhile, follow her journey on Instagram!

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

Connect with us:

• all things double bass
• double bass merch
• double bass sheet music

Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations. Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

• theme music by Eric Hochberg

Christopher Dammann is a Chicago-based composer and bassist whose sextet recently released its debut album.

Our conversation explores Christopher's journey from self-taught musician to Northwestern University bass student, examining how iconic Chicago venues like Velvet Lounge and Constellation shaped his artistry, his practice methodology, and much more.

Enjoy, and don't miss this excellent debut album from Christopher's sextet!

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

Connect with us:

• all things double bass
• double bass merch
• double bass sheet music

Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations. Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

• theme music by Eric Hochberg

In today's podcast, we speak with Kathryn Schulmeister and Andrew Mell. Kathryn and Andrew joined the double bass faculty at the University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music in fall 2023, where they recently hosted the inaugural Pacific Bass Day in January 2025.

We explore their backgrounds, discuss the experience of launching their first bass day, and delve into their plans for the future, among other topics. Enjoy!

We explore their backgrounds, discuss the experience of launching their first bass day, and delve into their plans for the future, among other topics. Enjoy!

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

Connect with us:

• all things double bass
• double bass merch
• double bass sheet music
• theme music by Eric Hochberg

Today's podcast features a conversation with Nina DeCesare about The Artemis Bass Initiative, an organization dedicated to advancing the careers of women and nonbinary bassists through mentorship, orchestral training, and professional development.

We explore the origins of this project and discuss its key programs, including upcoming seminars, orchestral training, and mentorship opportunities.

To learn more, check out Nina's past podcast appearances here and visit their website to subscribe to their newsletter. You can also support their mission through their crowdfunding campaign.

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

Connect with us:

• all things double bass
• double bass merch
• double bass sheet music

Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations. Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

• theme music by Eric Hochberg

Adam Ben Ezra is a truly original voice on the double bass, and each new project of his is fascinating in its own right. His latest album, a collaboration with Cuban drummer Michael Olivera titled Heavy Drops, is no exception.

We explore Adam's life in the Portuguese countryside, the inspiration behind his latest album, his current approach to the double bass, his creative process with Ableton Live, and much more.

Check out Heavy Drops wherever you listen to music, and be sure to follow Adam on Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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

Connect with us:

• all things double bass
• double bass merch
• double bass sheet music

Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations. Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

• theme music by Eric Hochberg

TianYang Liu currently teaches double bass at Beijing's Central Conservatory. He earned First Prize at the 2013 International Society of Bassists Competition and has garnered top honors in several other competitions, including Singapore's International Double Bass Competition and the San Francisco Conservatory's Concerto Competition. He regularly performs solo recitals across the United States and Asia.

Born into a musical family, Liu began studying violin with his mother at age three, demonstrating early talent by winning an honorary award at the Chang Sha Violin Competition at age four. At age 11, he transitioned to double bass, studying under his father, Zhen An Yang.

Liu completed his B.A. at Beijing's Central Conservatory, studying with Da Fu and Jun Xia Huo. He then earned a Double Bass Artist Certificate from the University of North Texas under Jeff Bradetich. His academic journey continued with an M.M. from San Francisco Conservatory, where he studied with Scott Pingel. Liu further advanced his studies at Rice University and also served as a member of the Houston Ballet Orchestra.

We explore TianYang's musical path, the lessons learned throughout his journey, his thoughts on the evolution of double bass as a solo instrument, and much more. Enjoy, and discover TianYang's playing in this excellent Minnesota Public Radio feature on him.

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

Connect with us:

• all things double bass
• double bass merch
• double bass sheet music

Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations. Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

• theme music by Eric Hochberg

Bruce Gertz is a jazz bassist, composer, and educator who has taught at the Berklee College of Music for nearly half a century. In addition to his numerous awards and recordings, Bruce developed musicsightreader.com, an Apple Books publication designed to develop sightreading skills through duets, trios, and quartets.

We explore Bruce's daily creativity habits, Berklee's evolution over the decades, the unique challenges of teaching sightreading, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Bruce's website, musicsightreader.com, and his great YouTube conversation with Claus Freudenstein!

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

Connect with us:

• all things double bass
• double bass merch
• double bass sheet music

Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations. Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

• theme music by Eric Hochberg

Javier Martin is a double bassist, teacher, and YouTuber based in Madrid, Spain. He began his double bass studies at age 8 at the Arturo Soria Professional Conservatory of Music with Professor José Antonio García Alamá.

He continued his advanced studies at the Katarina Gurska Higher Center with Professor Karen Martirossian before pursuing his master's studies with Ed Barker at Boston University. He currently teaches at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Aragón.

We explore Javier's background, what inspired him to start his YouTube channel, the challenges and rewards of balancing in-person and online double bass work, his plans for the future, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Javier on his website, Instagram, and YouTube!

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

Connect with us:

• all things double bass
• double bass merch
• double bass sheet music

Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations. Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

• theme music by Eric Hochberg

Jake Thurston is a double bassist, educator, and YouTube content creator based in Boulder, Colorado. In this episode, we explore the story behind his YouTube channel, share insights about creating engaging content, and discuss how he balances content creation with performing and teaching.

Enjoy, and be sure to subscribe to Jake's YouTube channel and also check him out on Patreon!

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

Connect with us:

• all things double bass
• double bass merch
• double bass sheet music

Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations. Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

Theme music by Eric Hochberg

Join Barry Green, Frank Proto, Debbie Taylor, and special guest Maggie Cox at their Bass Club Cincinnati live event honoring Francois Rabbath. This episode includes Zoom tributes from Gary Karr, Paul Ellison, Hal Robinson, Dennis Trembly, Patrick Neher, Johnny Hamil, and many more.

This episode also includes live performances from:

• Renaud Garcia-Fons
• Sandor Ostlund
• Tracy Rowell
• Etienne Lafrance
• Nina DeCesare
• Hans Sturm
• Ted Botsford
• Nicholas Walker

Check out the entire livestream of this event on YouTube here.

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

Connect with us:

• all things double bass
• double bass merch
• double bass sheet music

Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations. Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

• theme music by Eric Hochberg