Contrabass Conversations

This week's Contrabass Conversations Episode features the second part of our interview with double bassist Donovan Stokes. We last spoke with Donovan on episode 40 of the show, discussing his early years on the instrument, his experiences attending various universities, and his former and current double basses. This week, we continue our discussion about instruments and delve into Donovan's compositional process, practice techniques, and advice on how to get the most out of studying with a private teacher. Learn more about Donovan at www.donovanstokes.com. Enjoy!

This week's Contrabass Conversations Episode features the second part of our interview with double bassist Brad Opland. Last time we heard from Brad (on episode 37), we talked about his experiences in the Minnesota Orchestra and Chicago Symphony, plus some of the most memorable highlights from Brad's performing career. This episode we discuss Brad's experiences performing with the Berlin Philharmonic plus performing with the Chicago Chamber Musicians and some general advice for bassists. We also hear from University of Oregon double bass instructor Tyler Abbott and the Toby Koenigsberg Trio. Enjoy!

This week's Contrabass Conversations Episode features the second part of our interview with double bassist, music educator, and author Peter Tambroni. Last time we heard from Peter (on episode 32), we talked about his early years on the bass, classroom and school orchestra teaching techniques, studying bass during his bachelors and masters degrees, teaching approaches, performance experiences, and much more. We also feature a performance of the "Carmen Fantasy" by Frank Proto from Taiwanese bassist Henry Chen, plus share many news stories and interesting developments in the world of the double bass. Visit Peter online at www.petertambroni.com Enjoy!

This week's podcast concludes our interview with National Symphony Orchestra bassist Ira Gold. We began this interview on episode 15 of the podcast and continued it on episode 18, as well as featuring Ira performing the Vanhal Concerto with orchestra. Ira discusses his double bass set-up and mental toughness aspects of the audition, practicing, and preparation process for the double bass during this segment of the interview and features a recording of Ira performing the Gigue from the first Bach cello suite. You can direct any questions to Ira directly at [email protected]. Enjoy!

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features the conclusion of our chat with Minnesota Orchestra bassist Colin Corner. Colin joined the orchestra in 2006 after being a member of the Vancouver Symphony and Louisiana Philharmonic. In this episode we discuss the process of taking an audition for an ensemble like the Minnesota Orchestra--the various rounds, screen (or lack thereof), and repertoire. We also discuss improvisation, parallels between classical music and jazz, Colin's sources of musical inspiration, and his instrumental activities outside of the orchestral sphere. Check out episode 34 of the podcast for the first part of this interview. We also feature a recording of "Trioticism" from Chicago Symphony bassist and Contrabass Conversations interview guest Rob Kassinger. Enjoy!

This week's Contrabass Conversations Episode features the second part of our interview with Chicago Symphony bassist Rob Kassinger. Last time we heard from Rob (on episode 25), we talked about his early years on the bass, growing up in Colorado, playing jazz and electric bass, studying the instrument, and studying with Homer Mensch in New York City. This episode, we talk about Rob's time in the New Orleans Symphony, Colorado Symphony, and then moving into the Chicago Symphony. Rob talks about the materials he works on with students, like etudes and Simandl, plus what gear Rob uses and how his band NYCO developed. We'll also be hearing three tracks from Bay Area bassist Djordje Stijepovic. Enjoy!

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features the conclusion of our interview with double bassist Michael Hovnanian. Click here to listen to Michael's previous episodes (CBC 24 and 29). Michael has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1989, and he serves as the president of Discordia Music (double bass music publisher). Michael also plays for the Gunnelpumpers, Chicago Bass Ensemble, Music of the Baroque, and the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra. He authors the popular CSO Bass Blog, and he has served on the faculty for Northwestern University and the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Michael was also my bass teacher for my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Northwestern, and it was really great to get a chance to do this interview. You will also get a chance to hear Michael play the Discordia Music edition of the Schubert Arpeggione Sonata on this episode. After our interview with Michael, we'll be featuring two tunes from Chicago-area jazz bassist Mark Sonksen. Mark is the owner of Sonksen Strings, a double bass repair and retail shop located in Chicago. Enjoy!

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode concludes our chat with Time for Three bassist Ranaan Meyer. CBC guest and co-host John Grillo joins us in this interview, and the three of us had a very engaging conversation. You can check out the first part of our interview plus CBC video episodes featuring Ranaan on his Contrabass Conversations page here, and visit Time for Three's website at www.tf3.com.

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features an in-depth analysis of the double bass orchestral excerpts most commonly requested at auditions. Double bassist (and regular Contrabass Conversations guest and ho-host) John Grillo discusses each of these excerpts--stylistic considerations, differences in articulation and bow strokes, and suggestions for effectively learning them--and then performs them. I believe that this project will be a highly valuable resource for bassists worldwide, and I'd love your feedback on this project! Check out all of John's previous Contrabass Conversations appearances here. Excerpts covered: Beethoven Symphony No. 9 Beethoven Symphony No. 5 Brahms Symphony No. 1 Brahms Symphony No. 2 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 Mozart Symphony No. 35 Mozart Symphony No. 39 Mahler Symphony No. 2 Schubert Symphony No. 9 Strauss Ein Heldenleben Britten Young Person's Guide Verdi Otello

An active composer, Dr. Donovan Stokes is a specialist in the use of amplified and electronically manipulated double bass and has received recent commissions from the Young Bassist's Division of the International Society of Bassists, Musical Arts Society of Chicago and the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra. His recent Titanium Jr. for intermediate level bass and string orchestra was premiered in May of 2007 in Chicago, Il. His most recent concert work Caoineadh Mhná na Neachtlanna Mhaigdiléana (Lament for the Women of the Magdalene Laundries) for Solo Double Bass and Orchestra was premiered in October 2006 by the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra with the composer as soloist. The author of several articles on double history and pedagogy, Stokes has given presentations and recitals for the International Society of Bassists on a wide range of subjects and is a regular clinician at the Golden Gate Bass Camp (Oakland, CA), and the Richard Davis Bass Conference (Madison, WI). Upcoming performances include the November 2007 Las Vegas "Bass Bash? and the December 2007 "Unity Through Diversity? festival sponsored by the Brian Deneke Memorial Committee. Stokes is currently Associate Professor of Bass at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA and is married to fellow bassist, and International Society of Bassists Young Bass Ambassador for 2001, Inez Wyrick. Visit him on the web at: www.donovanstokes.com

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features an interview with Chicago-based double bassist and electric bassist Scott Rosenthal. Scott is one of the major players for the Chicago theater scene, having performed in a huge number of productions such as The Producers, Ragtime, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, and Showboat. We also feature Italian bassist Stefano Sciascia performing Adagio Melanconico e Appassionato by Bottesini. Enjoy!

A mainstay of the Chicago music scene for more than thirty years, Eric Hochberg has lent his bass work, both upright and electric, and an occasional trumpet, keyboard and vocal lick to a variety of projects across the realms of jazz, folk, rock and blues. He has performed and/or recorded with the likes of Terry Callier, Pharoah Sanders, Bobby McFerrin, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Steve Kuhn, Barbra Streisand, Cassandra Wilson, Von Freeman, Chico Freeman, Ken Nordine, David Baker, Cannonball Adderly, Charles McPherson, Jon Faddis, Joshua Redman, David Bromberg, Johnny Frigo, Joe Daley, Howard Levy, Kurt Elling, Trio New, Bill Carrothers, Eric Alexander, Tierny Sutton, Patricia Barber, Jackie Allen, Janice Siegal, Peter Erskine, Paul McCandless, Donny McCaslin, Claudio Roditi, Bob Mintzer, Dave Liebman, Sam Rivers, Jack DeJohnette, Joey Baron, Bobby Broom, Eric Marienthal, Bobby Shew, Tom Harrell, Larry Novak, Gary Novak, Rick Margitza, Sheila Jordan, Diane Reeves, Dee Alexander, Jay Clayton, Janice Siegel, Janice Borla, Ari Brown, Alan Pasqua, Bob Sheppard, Mark Murphy, Bob Dorough, Randy Brecker, Don Ellis, Larry Coryell, Rebecca Paris, Leni Andrade, Sonny Fortune, Willie Pickens, Bobby Lewis, Ari Brown, Jeremy Kahn, Ernie Adams, Mike Garson, Roger Rosenberg, Erma Thompson, Lew Tabackin, Brian Lynch, Lester Bowie, Don Moye, Earnest Dawkins, Henry Butler, Emily Remler, Herb Geller, Chevere de Chicago, Sonia Dada, Mark Colby, Orbert Davis, Ed Thigpen, Anthony Molinaro, Ben Sidran, Bonnie Koloc, Michal Urbaniak Quartet, Bill Holman, The Boston Brass, Bill Russo's Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Rob Parton Orchestra, The Miami Saxophone Quartet, Jim Walker & Free Flight, The Grant Park Symphony with Luciana Souza and Patti Austin, The Joffrey Ballet, Luna Negra Dance Company, The Chicago Human Rhythm Project, and Chicago Tap Theater. Eric has the distinction of having performed in the bands of three of the four members of the Pat Metheny Group - a tour in 1977 with Pat, a long association with drummer Paul Wertico and a Latin American tour with Lyle Mays in 1992. He has toured nationally/internationally with the Lyle Mays Quartet, the Terry Callier Group, the Paul Wertico Trio, the Kurt Elling Quartet, Ken Nordine's Word Jazz, the Howard Levy Quartet and the Grazyna Auguscik Quintet. He has performed at the Jazz Festivals of Chicago (21 times), Montreal, San Francisco, Detroit, Montreux, UK/London, Free Jazz/Rio & Sao Paolo Brazil, Leverkeusen/Germany, World Music Festival/Barcelona, Rome Jazz, Rotterdam Jazz, Karlsruhe Festival/GR, Frappe Festival/FR, Nice Jazz/FR, Gigon Festival/SP, Cully Jazz/Swiss, Blues and Roots Fest/Australia, The International Society of Jazz Educators/Atlanta, The Chicago Flute Club, The Percussive Arts Society/Columbus OH, Rockford Jazz/IL, Hyde Park Jazz Festival/Chicago, South Shore Jazz/Chicago, Elkhart Jazz/IN, Columbus Jazz Festival/OH, Milwaukee Summerfest, Louisville Festival of the Arts, Blue Note Tokyo, Yokohama and Milan, and concerts and clubs worldwide. He has also performed on the Oprah Winfrey Show three times with Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban and Johnny Mathis, and with Gloria Estefan. He can also be heard in clubs and concert venues around the Chicago area, including Catch 35 Chicago with the Eric Hochberg Trio, The Green Mill, Andy's Jazz Club, Pops for Champagne, The Jazz Showcase, Fitzgerald's, Katarina's, Pete Miller's, The Checkerboard Lounge, Room 43, Mayne Stage, Morseland, Pick Staiger Hall, Pritzker Pavillion and many others. The Eric Hochberg Orchestra has performed for countless events of all kinds over the past twenty-five years and Eric Hochberg Music contracts the finest musicians in the Chicago area for clients worldwide. The EHO was the band for the City of Chicago's 5000 guest "Chicago Welcomes the World" Millennium Celebration. Eric produced Jackie Allen's 2006 debut Blue Note Records release, Tangled and her 2003 release The Men in My Life. Eric has also worked extensively with legendary singer-songwriter Terry Callier, producing his 2005 album, Lookin' Out, on Emarcy Records, the critically acclaimed TC in DC on Premonition, tracks on Verve Forecast's Timepeace, Novo Record's Chicago Rapid Transit and Acid Jazz Totally Re-wired Vol. 8. He co-produced Future Tense by Hochberg, Eisen & Potter, Reflections and Yesterday's Gardenias by saxophonist Mark Colby and New Bolero by Trio New, Kurt Elling's original band. His latest project with pianist Bradley Williams and drummer Jim Widlowski is entitled 3. As a composer, Eric has made contributions to Kurt Elling's Close Your Eyes and The Messenger on Blue Note Records, Hochberg and Potter's World Thing on HoPo Records, Trio New New Bolero, Paul Wertico's Yin and the Yout and The Paul Wertico Trio's Live in Warsaw and Don't Be Scared Anymore. Five compositions are featured on Future Tense, the latest recording by Eric, Steve Eisen and Andrew Scott Potter. Two of his compositions are featured

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features an interview with Chicago Symphony bassist Brad Opland. In addition to the interview, you'll get a chance to hear Brad perform on the double bass in his own arrangement of Ibert's Quatre Causons (four songs) de Don Quichotte for bassoon and bass and hear Brad perform on the electric bass in his south side Chicago church. Enjoy! About Brad Born in Minot, North Dakota, Bradley Opland began his musical studies at an early age and, by the time he was 10, knew that he wanted a career in a symphony orchestra. After graduating from high school a year early, he moved to Philadelphia to continue his music studies at the Curtis Institute of Music. One year later, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski appointed Brad to the bass section of the Minnesota Orchestra at the age of 18, one of the youngest musicians ever hired. He remained in Minnesota through Sir Neville Marriner's tenure, coming to Chicago in 1984 after Sir Georg Solti offered him a position in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. - See more at: http://cso.org/about/performers/chicago-symphony-orchestra/bass/bradley-opland/#sthash.c5IOnq3y.dpuf

This episode of Contrabass Conversations features an interview with composer Bjorn Berkhout. Bjorn discusses his musical training, his various compositions for bass, and the challenges of writing for the double bass. Musical selections from his pieces Steamworks and Rise are also played on the show this week.

Greg Sarchet considers himself fortunate to have had an array of musical experiences and training, from studying with his first teacher, jazz luminary Rufus Reid, to receiving degrees from the Juilliard School (where he was a student of Michael Morgan), to hundreds of television/radio commercial recordings. His strong interest in researching the double bass and ongoing international exchange efforts were recognized by a 1996 Chicago Artists International Program award which sent him to the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria for performances, masterclasses, and archival research. These and other exchange activities have allowed him to build an extensive library of unpublished, out-of-print, and contemporary double bass works, as well as a first-hand understanding of Europe's leading teaching methods. Since 1986, he has been a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra. Additionally, he frequently serves as Principal Bass with Chicago Opera Theater and the Chicago Chamber Orchestra. He maintains a limited private studio for high school and adult pupils. Briefly, his musical foundation was laid by his first double bass teachers, Rufus Reid and Todd Coolman. The musical values and priorities they, among others, instilled in him have led him to a wide variety of professional opportunities ranging from recordings with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller, Smashing Pumpkins, and hundreds of television and radio commercials.

Colin Corner was appointed Principal Bass of Atlanta Symphony in 2015, after playing in the same position with the Rochester Philharmonic for seven seasons. He previously played with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony and the Louisiana Philharmonic. He received first place in the 2003 ISB Orchestral Competition, which led to a one week internship with the Detroit Symphony, and he received third place in the same competition in 2001. Mr. Corner was also a recipient of the Interlochen Double Bass Class Studio award in 1997, which has since been renamed The Colin Corner Bass Award in his honor. Mr. Corner is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy, and he received his bachelor's degree from Indiana University, where he studied with Lawrence Hurst. While in Rochester, he served on the faculty at The Hochstein School and played with Chamber Music Rochester, The Rochester Chamber Orchestra, and The Finger Lakes Opera Festival. He has also served as Guest Principal Bass with the NAC Orchestra. Mr. Corner also enjoys playing electric bass and many different styles of music, mainly jazz. In Rochester, he played with The Shuffling Madness, a Jethro Tull tribute band, The Debbie Kendrick Quartet, a soulful acoustic blues group, The Greener Grass Band, a funky jam band, and various other groups. Mr. Corner is passionate about teaching and has presented masterclasses/recitals at ISB Conventions, Ithaca College, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Shenandoah Conservatory, and Palm Beach Atlantic University. In 2015, he joined the faculty at the Golden Gate Bass Camp in San Francisco, where he was a founding faculty member in the NorCal Orchestra Studies Academy. Proud of his instruments, he plays a bass made by Joseph Hill, c. 1780, and a bass made in Atlanta by Luthier Albert Jakstadt.

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features the second half of our interview with double bassist Guy Tuneh, conducted over a distance of thousands of miles. It was a real pleasure to get to sit down and chat with Guy--he's a warm, intelligent, and passionate individual, and these traits come through in his speaking just like they do in his bass playing. You can visit him online at www.guytuneh.com. You will also get a chance to hear the great jazz bassist Brian Bromberg perform and hear some bass playing from L.A. bassist Nam Chi Vu. Enjoy! Guy D. Tuneh dedicates his work to challenging the traditional role of the bass player, and to stretching the limits of bass-playing. Beyond approaching the double bass literature from a new direction, these goals are achieved by performing music which until now was considered impossible to perform on this instrument. For example, he was the first bass player to ever perform an un-transcribed version of the Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations in concert, achieving a higher standard of technical and artistic level. Guy Tuneh set a landmark in double bass performing - to be the first Bass-Solist to ever perform an un-transcribed version of the Elgar cello concerto and Villa Lobos Fantasia for Cello on bass in concert and to be the first Bass-solist to perform first time ever an un-transcribed version of the both Beethoven F and G Violin Romances on double bass in concert, Paganini's Cantabile in D, Capriccio Nr. 9 as an un-transcribed version and an un-transcribed version of Mozarts Rondo C-Major for Violin, Sonata KV 301 for Violin in G and Mahlers Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen for low voice on double bass as well. Guy Tuneh has set a personal goal to combine passion, personality, character, and unique technique, in his approach to music performance. Aiming at winning over wide and diverse audiences, he constantly seeks new challenges. Coming from a deep and intense personal involvement, his performances attempt to deliver strong massages to the audience and result in intense, captivating, and awe-inspiring experiences. Guy D. Tuneh has been studying in Germany and Switzerland and performing internationally, Mr.Tuneh has been active as a solo performer and chamber musician. Having begun as a violin student at the age of 6, he was drawn to the tone color of the double bass, joining Michael Klinghoffer's bass studio at the S. Rubin Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University. Later, he continued his bass studies under Barbara Sanderling at the Hochschule Für Musik "Hanns Eisler" in Berlin, which followed a Solo Artist Diploma at the Music Academy Basel in Switzerland. Additionally, he took master classes with Yoan Goilav, Gary Karr and Miloslav Gajdos. Guy Tuneh's orchestra performances included engagements as a principl bassist with the Berliner Kammeroper, Mendelssohn Players Berlin, Ensemble "Echo" of the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin, and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra (Winner of ECHO–Klassik AWARD 2006 & ECHO-Klassik AWARD 2007) under Daniel Barenboim. These performances, which included chamber music collaborations with Mr. Barenboim were recorded for the ORF (National Austrian Public Service) at the Salzburg Festival and at the Lucerne Festival, along with many other performances on German radio and TV. He also performed with Theater Erfurt, Solistes Européens Luxembourg, with the NDR (North German Radio Orchestra - Hannover) and Ensemble Modern. As an orchestra bassist Mr. Tuneh performed under such distinguished conductors as Kurt Sanderling, Zubin Mehta, Sir Simon Rattle, Nicolas Harnoncourt and Pierre Boulez. Winner of a Villa Musica Scholarship, Guy Tuneh has performed all over Germany as a Soloist and as a chamber musician to great acclaim, and participated in Solo and chamber music performances recorded by the (Southwest German Radio). These performances included collaborations with members of Ensemble Villa Musica. Mr. Tuneh participated at festivals such as the "Verbier Festival", "Festival di Musica d'Insieme di Sessa Aurunca", "Fètes musicales en Touraine", "Busan Maru International Music Festival" and the "Internationales Bodenseefestival". Guy Tuneh's performances as a solo performer and chamber musician included collaborations with Vesselina Kasarova, Natalia Gutman, Rainer Kussmaul, Heinz Holliger, Ensemble-Modern, The Baltic Guitar Quartet, The Berlin Chamber Orchestra, Kammersolisten der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Ensemble Les Dissonances and other distinguished musicians. Mr. Tuneh maintains an active double bass teaching career, giving master classes world wide. Learn more at guytuneh.com.

This week on Contrabass Conversations we bring you an interview with string teacher and double bassist Peter Tambroni. Peter has written a book titled An Introduction to Double Bass Playing, and he has many valuable ideas regarding double bass pedagogy. Arizona bassist Robert Matheson is also featured on this episode. Enjoy! About Peter Peter began playing the double bass at the age of 16 (after playing the clarinet since elementary school) when the director of his high school jazz ensemble asked if anyone would be interested in playing bass. After playing electric bass it was suggested that he learn the string bass and soon after he began orchestral studies. Within a year, he knew he wanted to go into the field of music, and becoming a music teacher was the perfect choice for him. He received his Bachelor's of Music in Music Education from the Crane School of Music in 1996. After that he taught strings in the public schools for grades 4 - 12 in Northern New York and was adjunct faculty for 'cello and double bass at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. In 2000 he graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign with a Master's in Double Bass Performance, studying with Michael Cameron. He is currently a string teacher in suburban Chicago where he teaches string lessons in grades 3 - 8 and conducts the middle school concert and chamber orchestras. He also leads an Irish ensemble and a bass quartet. He performs around the greater Chicago area with many orchestra and rock bands around the city. In 2000, he appeared on the Bozo Super Sunday Show to give a presentation and performance on the double bass. In the spring of 2003 he was the guest soloist for District 212 (playing the Vanhal concerto) and in spring of 2004 he performed at Symphony Center's Orchestra Hall with the Polish American Symphony Orchestra of Chicago. He has attended classes with Michael Hovnanian of the Chicago Symphony, John Chiego, Hal Robinson of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Scott Haigh of the Cleveland Symphony, Stewart Arfman, and Erik Harris. Peter has been published several in American String Teacher as well as websites around the world.

This week we are wrapping up our interview with double bass virtuoso François Rabbath. You can hear the previous sections of this interview on episode 16 and episode 22 of the podcast. We will also be featuring in interesting new twist in Contrabass Conversations interviews today—the Lyric Opera's Andy Anderson (a regular collaborator on the podcast) will be discussing one piece in depth and offering practice advice and tips. This week we will be discussing the first movement of Mozart's Symphony No. 40, which we will be doing after the conclusion of our Rabbath interview. Today we will also be hearing tracks from "At the Uke Shack #1?, featuring Seattle bassist Matt Weiner as well as Del Rey on ukulele. You'll hear "Clockin' the Vic" right after we conclude our conversation with Rabbath as well as a few tunes at the end of the program. Enjoy!

Guy D. Tuneh dedicates his work to challenging the traditional role of the bass player, and to stretching the limits of bass-playing. Beyond approaching the double bass literature from a new direction, these goals are achieved by performing music which until now was considered impossible to perform on this instrument. For example, he was the first bass player to ever perform an un-transcribed version of the Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations in concert, achieving a higher standard of technical and artistic level. Guy Tuneh set a landmark in double bass performing - to be the first Bass-Solist to ever perform an un-transcribed version of the Elgar cello concerto and Villa Lobos Fantasia for Cello on bass in concert and to be the first Bass-solist to perform first time ever an un-transcribed version of the both Beethoven F and G Violin Romances on double bass in concert, Paganini's Cantabile in D, Capriccio Nr. 9 as an un-transcribed version and an un-transcribed version of Mozarts Rondo C-Major for Violin, Sonata KV 301 for Violin in G and Mahlers Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen for low voice on double bass as well. Guy Tuneh has set a personal goal to combine passion, personality, character, and unique technique, in his approach to music performance. Aiming at winning over wide and diverse audiences, he constantly seeks new challenges. Coming from a deep and intense personal involvement, his performances attempt to deliver strong massages to the audience and result in intense, captivating, and awe-inspiring experiences. Guy D. Tuneh has been studying in Germany and Switzerland and performing internationally, Mr.Tuneh has been active as a solo performer and chamber musician. Having begun as a violin student at the age of 6, he was drawn to the tone color of the double bass, joining Michael Klinghoffer's bass studio at the S. Rubin Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University. Later, he continued his bass studies under Barbara Sanderling at the Hochschule Für Musik "Hanns Eisler" in Berlin, which followed a Solo Artist Diploma at the Music Academy Basel in Switzerland. Additionally, he took master classes with Yoan Goilav, Gary Karr and Miloslav Gajdos. Guy Tuneh's orchestra performances included engagements as a principl bassist with the Berliner Kammeroper, Mendelssohn Players Berlin, Ensemble "Echo" of the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin, and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra (Winner of ECHO–Klassik AWARD 2006 & ECHO-Klassik AWARD 2007) under Daniel Barenboim. These performances, which included chamber music collaborations with Mr. Barenboim were recorded for the ORF (National Austrian Public Service) at the Salzburg Festival and at the Lucerne Festival, along with many other performances on German radio and TV. He also performed with Theater Erfurt, Solistes Européens Luxembourg, with the NDR (North German Radio Orchestra - Hannover) and Ensemble Modern. As an orchestra bassist Mr. Tuneh performed under such distinguished conductors as Kurt Sanderling, Zubin Mehta, Sir Simon Rattle, Nicolas Harnoncourt and Pierre Boulez. Winner of a Villa Musica Scholarship, Guy Tuneh has performed all over Germany as a Soloist and as a chamber musician to great acclaim, and participated in Solo and chamber music performances recorded by the (Southwest German Radio). These performances included collaborations with members of Ensemble Villa Musica. Mr. Tuneh participated at festivals such as the "Verbier Festival", "Festival di Musica d'Insieme di Sessa Aurunca", "Fètes musicales en Touraine", "Busan Maru International Music Festival" and the "Internationales Bodenseefestival". Guy Tuneh's performances as a solo performer and chamber musician included collaborations with Vesselina Kasarova, Natalia Gutman, Rainer Kussmaul, Heinz Holliger, Ensemble-Modern, The Baltic Guitar Quartet, The Berlin Chamber Orchestra, Kammersolisten der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Ensemble Les Dissonances and other distinguished musicians. Mr. Tuneh maintains an active double bass teaching career, giving master classes world wide. Learn more at guytuneh.com.

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features an interview with double bassist Michael Hovnanian. Michael has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1989, and he serves as the president of Discordia Music (double bass music publisher). Michael also plays for the Gunnelpumpers, Chicago Bass Ensemble, Music of the Baroque, and the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra. He authors the popular CSO Bass Blog, and he has served on the faculty for Northwestern University and the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Michael was also my bass teacher for my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Northwestern, and it was really great to get a chance to do this interview. You will also get a chance to hear Michael play the Discordia Music edition of the Brahms Sonata in E minor on this episode. It is a great edition of a great piece, and Michael plays it beautifully. Enjoy! About Michael Hovnanian Michael Hovnanian grew up in the Seattle area and started playing the bass in the public schools. His primary teachers were James Harnett and Ronald Simon of the Seattle Symphony. An early interest in solo playing led to performances with the Seattle Symphony, the Northwest Chamber Orchestra and the University of Washington Symphony. Michael attended the University of Washington and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the California Institute of the Arts where he studied with Frederick Tinsley of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In 1986 he joined the Victoria Symphony as Principal Bassist and in 1988 the San Antonio Symphony as a member of the bass section. Since 1989 he has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In addition to playing in the CSO Mr. Hovnanian is active performing solo and chamber music in the Chicago area. He has appeared in the Chicago Symphony chamber concerts at Orchestra Hall and the Art Institute, with Chicago Pro Musica, and at the Winter Chamber Music Festival. Currently he is President of Discordia Music, a pulishing company specializing in new and arranged works for Double Bass. He is also a co-founder of the International Bottesini Society, an organization dedicated to promoting the legacy of that composer. Michael's blog: www.csobassblog.blogspot.com

This week's Contrabass Conversations podcast features the first part of our interview with double bassist Ranaan Meyer. John Grillo (a frequent guest and collaborator on the podcast) and I co-interviewed Ranaan, who is the bassist for the band Time for Three and has had a very interesting and multi-faceted career. In addition to hearing a few musical excerpts from Time for Three, this episode features music from German double bassist Guy Tuneh, Pittsburgh-based singer/songwriter Brad Yoder, Los Lonely Boys, and The Latin Soul Syndicate. Enjoy! Ranaan Meyer bio: Ranaan Meyer, double bassist and composer, began his musical studies at the piano at age 4; at age 11, he took up the double bass (once he was big enough to hold it). He attended the Manhattan School of Music and graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music in 2003. Beyond regular appearances with orchestras such as the Minnesota Symphony, Baltimore Symphony and The Philadelphia Orchestra, Mr. Meyer is also increasingly in demand as a composer, creating unique new works for his trio Time for Three as well as for solo bass and other ensembles. Most recently Mr. Meyer completed a commission, "My Zayda? (for Violin, Piano and Double Bass) for the Kingston Chamber Music Festival in Rhode Island. Other recently completed commissions include a solo double bass piece for the Network for New Music, a double bass and harp duet as well as a set of Time for Three pieces for Astral Artistic Services and a Time for Three composition for the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Symphony, "Of time and three rivers?. All commissions have been expedited through the American Composer's forum. Mr. Meyer, also an accomplished jazz musician, has performed with Jane Monheight, Victor Lewis, Jason Moran, Mark O'Connor, Ari Hoenig, Duane Eubanks, Mickey Roker and many more. Ranaan, at age 19 produced, directed and performed in the very first Washington Township Jazz Festival which was also broadcasted live on Philadelphia's WRTI. Mr. Meyer, an avid teacher, has held adjunct Double Bass Professorships at both Princeton University and the University of Delaware. He has spent several Summers teaching alongside Hal Robinson (Principal Bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra) at the Strings International Music Festival in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. He has also taught at the Intermountain Suzuki Camp in Sandy, Utah and Mark O'Connor's String Camp in San Diego, California.

This week's episode features the conclusion of our interview with double bassist Kate Nettleman. Kate was based here in the Chicago area at the time of this recording, but she moved on to become Principal Bass of the Hong Kong Philharmonic and then to a section position in the Minnesota Orchestra. About Kate Kathryn Nettleman - as a young student of Neil Courtney, Assistant Principal Bass with the Philadelphia Orchestra, she performed with numerous local ensembles including the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. During this time she twice received the New Jersey Governor's Award in Arts Education. She attended The Juilliard School as a full-scholarship student of Homer Mensch and following graduation spent a year studying with Don Palma at the Yale University School of Music. For several summers she performed in the Aspen Music Festival and the Spoleto (USA) Music Festival. Ms. Nettleman then spent two seasons in the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, during which time she was involved in a wide variety of solo and chamber music performances, musical outreach projects, and served as co-chair of a concert series. In 2001, she was awarded by her colleagues there the "NWS Musician of the Year Award for Artistic Leadership." The following year she served as a section member in the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, where she was active as a performer in introductory musical programs for elementary and middle school children. Currently living in Chicago, Ms. Nettleman performs regularly with many local ensembles including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Symphony II, and Grant Park Symphony. She serves as a volunteer friendly visitor to the elderly through Resurrection Health Care Home Health Services. In addition to making music, she enjoys running, gardening, reading, and vegetarian cooking and baking.

It is my pleasure to bring you this great interview with Pittsburgh Symphony principal bassist Jeff Turner for this week's episode of Contrabass Conversations. Jeff has excellent advice for musicians, and he reflects on his early years on the instrument in this very engaging interview. You will also be hearing a double bass feature from the Lascivious Biddies on this episode. Enjoy! About Jeff Jeffrey Turner is the Director of Orchestral Studies at Duquesne University, where he serves as conductor of the Duquesne Symphony Orchestra. A native of South Carolina, Mr. Turner holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and a Master's degree in conducting from Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied with Dr. Robert Page. He has served in recent years as Music Director of the Pittsburgh Live Chamber Orchestra, and Artistic Director of the City Music Center Chamber Orchestra from 2004 - 2009. Locally, Mr. Turner has also conducted opera productions at CMU, as well as Honors Orchestra Festivals for the Pennsylvania Music Educator's Association. Mr. Turner is also the Principal Bassist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. His teachers include James VanDemark, Lawrence Hurst and Robert Gladstone. Before joining the PSO in 1987, Mr. Turner was the Principal Bass of the New American Chamber Orchestra from 1984 to 1986, and played with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for the 1986-87 season. As winner of the Y Music Society's Passamaneck Award, Jeffrey Turner appeared in a critically acclaimed recital at Carnegie Music Hall in 1989. He was also a winner of the 1990 Pittsburgh Concert Society's Artist Award. Jeffrey Turner has served as Visiting Professor at the Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, and the University of Maryland, and as a faculty member of Carnegie Mellon University. At Duquesne, Mr. Turner has also served as Chair of Strings and as Artistic Director of City Music Center's Young Bassist Program. Mr. Turner gives annual recitals, seminars, and master classes at universities and conservatories throughout the world, and serves as resident artist for annual festivals including the Pacific Music Festival, The National Orchestral Institute, the Korsholm Festival (Finland), Indiana University's Summer Music Festival, and The Asian Youth Orchestra (Hong Kong). Mr. Turner has been a faculty member for International Workshops in Graz, Austria; Lausanne, Switzerland; and Glasgow, Scotland. He is featured as recitalist, clinician, and competition judge at the conventions of The International Society of Bassists. From 1988-92 Mr. Turner was the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Project, a yearly series of concerts and educational programs featuring Pittsburgh's finest musicians in collaboration.

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features an interview with and music from Chicago Symphony bassist Rob Kassinger. Rob's musical interests span many genres and include both the electric bass and the double bass. You will learn about Rob's early years on the bass and how working in jazz and rock settings led to an interest in orchestral double bass playing in this fascinating interview. This episode also features Rob playing the first movement of the Breval Sonata in a live performance, and it includes a track from NYCO, a rock band that Rob was a member of for several years. You will be hearing People We Knew from their recent album "Two". You can purchase "Two" by following this link. Enjoy! About Rob: Robert Kassinger was appointed to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1993. Prior to Chicago, Rob performed as assistant principal bass with the Colorado Symphony and also played with the New Orleans Symphony. In addition to his busy schedule with the Orchestra, Rob is an active chamber musician. He performs with the Revolution Ensemble, the Orion Ensemble, Fulcrum Point, Ars Viva, Music of the Baroque, the Callisto Ensemble, MusicNOW, and broadcasts on WFMT and WTTW. Most recently he has been a featured guest with Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, and has performed Schubert's Trout Quintet with Daniel Barenboim. In July 2006, Rob served as double bass professor at the Canton International Summer Music Academy, led by Charles Dutoit. Rob grew up in a family of musicians in Boulder, Colorado. He began his bass studies with Frank Carroll at the University of Colorado. In 1985 he moved to New York to study with Homer Mensch at the Manhattan School of Music, where he received his bachelor of music degree. Rob then pursued his master's degree at the Juilliard School, continuing his studies with Mr. Mensch. He later went on to study with Bruce Bransby at Indiana University. Some of his most influential experiences as a student were his two years as principal bass of the New York String Orchestra Seminar, conducted by Alexander Schneider, and the two summers he spent as a fellowship student at the Aspen Music Festival, studying with Stuart Sankey and Bruce Bransby. In 1989 Rob was the winner of the Aspen Double Bass Competition. Rob's experience as a jazz performer dates back to his early teens, working in the house rhythm section at the infamous Denver jazz club El Chapultapec, and over the years he has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Kenny Burrell, the Woody Herman band, Conte Candoli, Charlie Rouse, Teddy Edwards, Harold Land, Red Holloway, Charles Brown, Art Lande, Richard Stoltzman, Gary Burton, Alex Acuna, Laurence Hobgood, and Bobby Lewis. In 1998 and 2000, Rob toured India with the Chicago Jazz Express, and he can be heard on their recordings Voyage to India and The Rhythm Section. He also appears on Bobby Lewis' latest CD, Just Havin' Some Fun. In addition, Rob is featured on Daniel Barenboim's Brazilian Rhapsody on the Teldec label, and Kabbalah Blues/Quantum Funk by the Revolution Ensemble. Rob's latest project has given him a chance to spend more time with the bass guitar. His alternative rock group NYCO has released its debut album Two, available through nycomusic.com and at Itunes.com. Rob is professor of double bass at DePaul University. He is also in demand as a coach and master clinician, serving in this capacity for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, the Juilliard School, and the Mannes School of Music. In the summers of 1999 through 2002, it was Rob's honor to teach at the West-Eastern Divan, a ground-breaking workshop that brings young musicians from Israel and various Arab countries together to study orchestral music with Daniel Barenboim, Yo-Yo Ma, and members of the CSO, Berlin Philharmonic, and Staatskapelle Berlin.

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features an interview with double bassist Michael Hovnanian. Michael has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1989, and he serves as the president of Discordia Music (double bass music publisher). Michael also plays for the Gunnelpumpers, Chicago Bass Ensemble, Music of the Baroque, and the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra. He authors the popular CSO Bass Blog, and he has served on the faculty for Northwestern University and the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Michael was also my bass teacher for my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Northwestern, and it was really great to get a chance to do this interview. You will also get a chance to hear Michael play the Discordia Music edition of the Brahms Sonata in E minor on this episode. It is a great edition of a great piece, and Michael plays it beautifully. Enjoy! About Michael Hovnanian Michael Hovnanian grew up in the Seattle area and started playing the bass in the public schools. His primary teachers were James Harnett and Ronald Simon of the Seattle Symphony. An early interest in solo playing led to performances with the Seattle Symphony, the Northwest Chamber Orchestra and the University of Washington Symphony. Michael attended the University of Washington and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the California Institute of the Arts where he studied with Frederick Tinsley of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In 1986 he joined the Victoria Symphony as Principal Bassist and in 1988 the San Antonio Symphony as a member of the bass section. Since 1989 he has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In addition to playing in the CSO Mr. Hovnanian is active performing solo and chamber music in the Chicago area. He has appeared in the Chicago Symphony chamber concerts at Orchestra Hall and the Art Institute, with Chicago Pro Musica, and at the Winter Chamber Music Festival. Currently he is President of Discordia Music, a pulishing company specializing in new and arranged works for Double Bass. He is also a co-founder of the International Bottesini Society, an organization dedicated to promoting the legacy of that composer. Michael's blog: www.csobassblog.blogspot.com

Lawrence Hurst is the former principal double bass for the Dallas Symphony. He is a former faculty member of Southern Methodist and Eastern Michigan Universities and former faculty member, associate dean, and chair of the string department at University of Michigan School of Music. He was honored with the Alumni Award from the University of Michigan School of Music in 1998. Professor Hurst is former director of the University Division of the National Music Camp and is a summer faculty member of the Interlochen Arts Camp. He is past chair of the American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition, and past president of the International Society of Bassists. His former students can be found in many prestigious orchestras, including Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Indianapolis, and Atlanta. He has chaired the Indiana University Strings Department for the past 19 years and has been on faculty at Interlochen for the past 40 years. Music from the Bass Gang website: http://www.thebassgang.org/

Born in Aleppo, Syria into a musical family of six boys and three girls, François discovered the double bass at the age of thirteen when one of his brothers brought an instrument home and allowed him to experiment with it. When the family moved to Beirut, Lebanon he found an old copy of Edouard Nanny's Contrabass Method in a tailor shop and with some difficulty, since he read neither music nor French, began to teach himself. After nine years of work in Beirut, François saved enough money to move to Paris for a year. He was eager to go to the Paris Conservatory, meet with Monsieur Nanny and show him what he was able to do with the bass. When he applied at the Conservatory he was disappointed to learn that Nanny had died in 1947. He was also told that auditions were to be held in three days and that he would never have enough time to learn the required pieces. He asked for the music anyway and returned three days later to finish first among the applicants. However, his stay at the Conservatory was a brief one, since it didn't take very long to see that he was not only far ahead of the other students but of the professors as well! François Rabbath's uniqueness stems from his refusal to accept any traditional limitations. Whether performing his own fascinating compositions, the music of others or the classical repertoire, one is always moved by his profound musicianship and dazzling virtuosity. You quickly discover that he brings you such a sense of security that the most difficult passages sound effortless. The importance of François Rabbath to the development of double bass playing can be compared with that of Paganini to the violin. Since the early 1800s when Nicole Paganini established the violin as a virtuoso instrument, solo violinists have practiced the most brilliant of instrumental art. Meanwhile, the development of double bass playing had been seriously neglected. The great and popular 19th century composers did not consider the bass worth their attention and in turn the bass repertoire did not attract potential virtuoso performers with enough genius to change the situation. It demanded an artist with the unique qualities of François Rabbath to break this impasse. http://www.liben.com/FRBio.html Musical Guest - Leon Bosch You will be hearing the Bottesini Elegy and the Bottesini Gavotta from Leon Bosch's recent solo album called Virtuoso Double Bass, which is available from Meridian Records. Leon's website: http://www.leonbosch.co.uk Album information for Virtuoso Double Bass: http://www.leonbosch.co.uk/music.php Click here to order this great album from Leon Bosch: http://www.meridian-records.co.uk/acatalog/CDE84544a.html Meridian Records website: http://www.meridian-records.co.uk/ About Leon Bosch: (Visit his website for more information about this great artist's career and the challenges he had to overcome during his early years in Apartheid South Africa.) From liner notes to his recent release as well as an interview with Lawrence Milner – published in the Summer 2003 edition of Double Bassist magazine: Leon had to overcome many difficult circumstances in the early years of his career. He was arrested by members of the Cape Town special branch when he was just 15 years old for demonstrating against the Apartheid government outside of parliament. He faced a month's detention and torture, only to be found not guilty on all charges. This experience fired up his ambition to become a lawyer, but this field of study was forbidden to him by the regime at the time. He then chose to study a subject that would be the least likely to mark him out as subversive—music. Had Bosch been able to pursue his prime aspiration to become a lawyer, the cello/double bass debate might never have occurred. Born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1961, Bosch was forbidden by the repressive regime of the time to study law, so applied to the University's music faculty instead `as a light-hearted prank.' The `prank' soon turned more serious. Once enrolled at the University, Bosch studied with Zoltan Kovats, principal double bassist of the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra at that time. A single year into his studies, the young student was invited to play in the Symphony Orchestra's bass section alongside his mentor. Only another 12 months passed before he was giving his first solo performance of Dittersdorf 's concerto in E major. Completing his Batchelor of Music Performance degree at the University, he received the highest mark ever awarded there in a performance examination. Post-university, Bosch quickly realised that he would have to study abroad if he really wanted to further his performance career, but was thwarted once again by the apartheid laws which decreed that overseas scholarships could only be given to white performers. However, Bosch was undeterred. `I had a passionate commitment to the double bass and never enter- tained the idea that I would fail in my pursuit', he asserts. Fortunately, a number of private individuals

A mainstay of the Chicago music scene for more than thirty years, Eric Hochberg has lent his bass work, both upright and electric, and an occasional trumpet, keyboard and vocal lick to a variety of projects across the realms of jazz, folk, rock and blues. He has performed and/or recorded with the likes of Terry Callier, Pharoah Sanders, Bobby McFerrin, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Steve Kuhn, Barbra Streisand, Cassandra Wilson, Von Freeman, Chico Freeman, Ken Nordine, David Baker, Cannonball Adderly, Charles McPherson, Jon Faddis, Joshua Redman, David Bromberg, Johnny Frigo, Joe Daley, Howard Levy, Kurt Elling, Trio New, Bill Carrothers, Eric Alexander, Tierny Sutton, Patricia Barber, Jackie Allen, Janice Siegal, Peter Erskine, Paul McCandless, Donny McCaslin, Claudio Roditi, Bob Mintzer, Dave Liebman, Sam Rivers, Jack DeJohnette, Joey Baron, Bobby Broom, Eric Marienthal, Bobby Shew, Tom Harrell, Larry Novak, Gary Novak, Rick Margitza, Sheila Jordan, Diane Reeves, Dee Alexander, Jay Clayton, Janice Siegel, Janice Borla, Ari Brown, Alan Pasqua, Bob Sheppard, Mark Murphy, Bob Dorough, Randy Brecker, Don Ellis, Larry Coryell, Rebecca Paris, Leni Andrade, Sonny Fortune, Willie Pickens, Bobby Lewis, Ari Brown, Jeremy Kahn, Ernie Adams, Mike Garson, Roger Rosenberg, Erma Thompson, Lew Tabackin, Brian Lynch, Lester Bowie, Don Moye, Earnest Dawkins, Henry Butler, Emily Remler, Herb Geller, Chevere de Chicago, Sonia Dada, Mark Colby, Orbert Davis, Ed Thigpen, Anthony Molinaro, Ben Sidran, Bonnie Koloc, Michal Urbaniak Quartet, Bill Holman, The Boston Brass, Bill Russo's Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Rob Parton Orchestra, The Miami Saxophone Quartet, Jim Walker & Free Flight, The Grant Park Symphony with Luciana Souza and Patti Austin, The Joffrey Ballet, Luna Negra Dance Company, The Chicago Human Rhythm Project, and Chicago Tap Theater. Eric has the distinction of having performed in the bands of three of the four members of the Pat Metheny Group - a tour in 1977 with Pat, a long association with drummer Paul Wertico and a Latin American tour with Lyle Mays in 1992. He has toured nationally/internationally with the Lyle Mays Quartet, the Terry Callier Group, the Paul Wertico Trio, the Kurt Elling Quartet, Ken Nordine's Word Jazz, the Howard Levy Quartet and the Grazyna Auguscik Quintet. He has performed at the Jazz Festivals of Chicago (21 times), Montreal, San Francisco, Detroit, Montreux, UK/London, Free Jazz/Rio & Sao Paolo Brazil, Leverkeusen/Germany, World Music Festival/Barcelona, Rome Jazz, Rotterdam Jazz, Karlsruhe Festival/GR, Frappe Festival/FR, Nice Jazz/FR, Gigon Festival/SP, Cully Jazz/Swiss, Blues and Roots Fest/Australia, The International Society of Jazz Educators/Atlanta, The Chicago Flute Club, The Percussive Arts Society/Columbus OH, Rockford Jazz/IL, Hyde Park Jazz Festival/Chicago, South Shore Jazz/Chicago, Elkhart Jazz/IN, Columbus Jazz Festival/OH, Milwaukee Summerfest, Louisville Festival of the Arts, Blue Note Tokyo, Yokohama and Milan, and concerts and clubs worldwide. He has also performed on the Oprah Winfrey Show three times with Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban and Johnny Mathis, and with Gloria Estefan. He can also be heard in clubs and concert venues around the Chicago area, including Catch 35 Chicago with the Eric Hochberg Trio, The Green Mill, Andy's Jazz Club, Pops for Champagne, The Jazz Showcase, Fitzgerald's, Katarina's, Pete Miller's, The Checkerboard Lounge, Room 43, Mayne Stage, Morseland, Pick Staiger Hall, Pritzker Pavillion and many others. The Eric Hochberg Orchestra has performed for countless events of all kinds over the past twenty-five years and Eric Hochberg Music contracts the finest musicians in the Chicago area for clients worldwide. The EHO was the band for the City of Chicago's 5000 guest "Chicago Welcomes the World" Millennium Celebration. Eric produced Jackie Allen's 2006 debut Blue Note Records release, Tangled and her 2003 release The Men in My Life. Eric has also worked extensively with legendary singer-songwriter Terry Callier, producing his 2005 album, Lookin' Out, on Emarcy Records, the critically acclaimed TC in DC on Premonition, tracks on Verve Forecast's Timepeace, Novo Record's Chicago Rapid Transit and Acid Jazz Totally Re-wired Vol. 8. He co-produced Future Tense by Hochberg, Eisen & Potter, Reflections and Yesterday's Gardenias by saxophonist Mark Colby and New Bolero by Trio New, Kurt Elling's original band. His latest project with pianist Bradley Williams and drummer Jim Widlowski is entitled 3. As a composer, Eric has made contributions to Kurt Elling's Close Your Eyes and The Messenger on Blue Note Records, Hochberg and Potter's World Thing on HoPo Records, Trio New New Bolero, Paul Wertico's Yin and the Yout and The Paul Wertico Trio's Live in Warsaw and Don't Be Scared Anymore. Five compositions are featured on Future Tense, the latest recording by Eric, Steve Eisen and Andrew Scott Potter. Two of his compositions are featured

Lawrence Hurst is the former principal double bass for the Dallas Symphony. He is a former faculty member of Southern Methodist and Eastern Michigan Universities and former faculty member, associate dean, and chair of the string department at University of Michigan School of Music. He was honored with the Alumni Award from the University of Michigan School of Music in 1998. Professor Hurst is former director of the University Division of the National Music Camp and is a summer faculty member of the Interlochen Arts Camp. He is past chair of the American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition, and past president of the International Society of Bassists. His former students can be found in many prestigious orchestras, including Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Indianapolis, and Atlanta. He has chaired the Indiana University Strings Department for the past 19 years and has been on faculty at Interlochen for the past 40 years.

Program Order: Bottesini Romanza Dramatica Op. 20 (Elegie No. 2) Bach Suite No. 3 in C Major (performed in original key) Sofia Gubaidulina Pantomime Eccles Sonata Andante Allegro Adagio Presto

Greg Sarchet considers himself fortunate to have had an array of musical experiences and training, from studying with his first teacher, jazz luminary Rufus Reid, to receiving degrees from the Juilliard School (where he was a student of Michael Morgan), to hundreds of television/radio commercial recordings. His strong interest in researching the double bass and ongoing international exchange efforts were recognized by a 1996 Chicago Artists International Program award which sent him to the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria for performances, masterclasses, and archival research. These and other exchange activities have allowed him to build an extensive library of unpublished, out-of-print, and contemporary double bass works, as well as a first-hand understanding of Europe's leading teaching methods. Since 1986, he has been a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra. Additionally, he frequently serves as Principal Bass with Chicago Opera Theater and the Chicago Chamber Orchestra. He maintains a limited private studio for high school and adult pupils. Briefly, his musical foundation was laid by his first double bass teachers, Rufus Reid and Todd Coolman. The musical values and priorities they, among others, instilled in him have led him to a wide variety of professional opportunities ranging from recordings with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller, Smashing Pumpkins, and hundreds of television and radio commercials.

Ira Gold made his Carnegie Hall solo debut in 2011, performing the Vanhal Bass Concerto with the Catholic University of America Symphony Orchestra. Prior to joining the National Symphony in 2005, Mr. Gold performed with several American orchestras, as section bass with the Minnesota Orchestra and as guest principal bassist with the San Francisco Symphony and Detroit Symphony. He has attended festivals such as the Grand Teton Music Festival, Domaine Forget Music Academy, Bach Festival Leipzig, Aspen, and Tanglewood. Mr. Gold spent several summers at the International Festival Institute at Round Top both as a student and faculty. He is continually in demand for recitals and master classes, including recent visits at The Juilliard School, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Penn State University, University of North Texas, the International Society of Bassists Convention, and the Manhattan School of Music. Mr. Gold maintains a studio of private students, has taught lessons and coached chamber music in the National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship program, and has been a member of the double bass faculty at the Peabody Conservatory since 2009. He is also a co-founding member of Peabody Bass Works, a one-week bass camp held every July at Peabody. An active chamber musician, Mr. Gold has performed with the East Coast Chamber Orchestra, the NSO Millennium Stage Prelude Series, Peabody Conservatory faculty, and the New Orchestra of Washingon. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree at Boston University's College of Fine Arts, and his Master of Music degree at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, where he won the strings division of the 2005 Concerto Competition. His primary teachers include Edwin Barker and Paul Ellison, and additional studies with Albert Laszlo, Kenneth Harper, Dennis Whittaker, Mark Shapiro, and Harry Lantz.

Here is a full-length recital showcase featuring a performance from double bassist Phillip Serna. Visit Phillip online at www.phillipwserna.com Northwestern University School of Music Presents a Doctoral Recital Phillip Woodrow Serna, double bass In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Music in Double Bass Performance Double Bass Student of Michael Hovnanian Viola da Gamba Student of Mary Springfels assisted by: Shirley Trissell, piano Sunday, April 27, 2003, 8:30 p.m. Regenstein Recital Hall 60 Arts Circle Drive Evanston, Illinois Sonata in E-Minor, Op.38 (1862-1865) Johannes Brahms For Violoncello and Piano (1833-1897) Allegro non troppo Allegretto quasi Menuetto Allegro SHORT INTERMISSION Sonata No.2 in E-Minor, Op.6 Adolf Mišek For String Bass and Piano (1875-1955) I. Con fuoco II. Andante cantabile III. Furiant: Allegro energico IV. Finale: Allegro appassionato SHORT INTERMISSION Sonata (1956) František Hertl For String Bass and Piano (b. 1906) I. Allegro moderato II. Andantino III. Rondo: Alla polka, moderato [ENCORE] Vocalise, Op.34, No.14 Serge Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Program Notes Johannes Brahms' Sonata in E-Minor, Op.38 (1862-1865) In the summer of 1862, Johannes Brahms composed the first two movements of the Sonata for Piano and Violoncello, Op. 38. He later added the final Allegro in June of 1865. Intended as an "homage to J.S. Bach," Brahms based the principal themes of the outer movements on Contrapuntctus 4 and Contrapunctus 13 from "The Art of Fugue." Indeed, beyond these thematic references, fugal interplay is the prevailing device employed throughout the work. The sonata was first performed in July of 1865, and submitted for publication to both Breitkopf & Härtel and Simrock in September of the same year. Breitkopf & Härtel refused to publish the work. Simrock soon accepted it, however, and it was probably published in early 1866. Brahms' famous description of the work, which accompanied his submission to Simrock, remarks that it is "a violoncello sonata which, as regards both instruments, is certainly not difficult to play. David Cardon, Discordia Music Discordia Music, a publishing company run by Professor Michael Hovnanian, publishes the edition used for this performance. Discordia specializes in publishing new works and transcriptions for the double bass, as well as to publish premium quality, well-researched, scholarly editions of music part of the standard double bass solo literature. Adolf Mišek's Sonata No.2 in E-Minor, Op.6 The typesetter, composer, conductor, and double bass player Adolf Mišek was born in Modletin, Czechoslovakia in 1875. At age 15, Mišek attended the Academy of Vienna, later conducting as choirmaster of The Czech Choir ,,Tovaovský" and Slavonic Chorus. Additionally, he conducted The Czech Academic Orchestra in Vienna. From 1890 to1894 Mišek was a student of the famous lecturer, Franz Simandl (1840-1912), who in Mišek's time was associated with the Vienna Conservatory, an institution that Mišek would later be engaged as bass professor. From 1920 to 1934 Mišek returned to his place of birth in Bohemia. He returned to Prague where he built a career as a soloist with the National Theatre. He died in Prague in 1955. Mišek composed various works in different genres for voice, violin, chamber ensembles, and lastly for the double bass. His works for bass include a Scales Study, Legend op. 3 for Double Bass and Piano, a Capriccio (1899), Concert Polonaise, Sonata No.1 in A Major, Op. 5, Sonata No.2 in e minor, Op. 6, Sonata No.3 in F Major, and a Concert in C-major. František Hertl's Sonata (1956) Composer and double bassist František Hertl was an active member in Czech music throughout his career. From 1920 to1926, Hertl studied double bass at the Prague Conservatory with Professor Fr. Cerny, also studying composition from 1933 to1936. Hertl was solo double bassist in the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (1929-1935) and Czechoslovak Radio Orchestra Prague (1935-1950). Hertl was director as well as performing member of the Czech Nonet from 1936 to 1950 and 1963 to1966 in addition to his duty as conductor of the Radio Orchestra in Brno (1950-1961). As a pedagogue, Hertl was professor at the Prague Conservatory (1951-1961), at the Leoš Janácek Academy of Music Arts in Brno (1954-1961), and at the Academy of Music in Prague (1953-1973). Hertl wrote 35 compositions for orchestra including a Czech Suite (1947), Czech Dances (1947), and a Symfonietta for Oboe and Small Orchestra. Hertl composed a Sonata for Violoncello and Piano as well as various choral works. Hertl also composed a Concert Polka (1948) and a Concert for Double Bass (1957) premiered by František Pošta in 1958. He additionally composed a Prelude, Burlesca, Nocturno, and Tarantella (1969). As pedagogical works, Hertl wrote a Double Bass School (1962) and 20 Studies (1965) for Double Bass. The Sonata for Double bass and Piano (1956) was first recorded by his pupil Pavel Horak, a member o

Andrew Anderson performs in nearly 150 concerts every year and teaches over a dozen students of all levels each week. Andrew Anderson is a member of the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra, the Chicago Philharmonic, and performs regularly with Music of the Baroque. He has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, Columbus Symphony, American Ballet Theater, and New World Symphony. He has held positions in twelve different orchestras across seven states, serving as principal bass in four of them. Andrew has performed recitals at Wheaton College, radio broadcasts on WDCB Jazz, and at the Chicago Cultural Center with the Chicago Bass Ensemble and also with bass voice, Andrea Silvestrelli. Andrew served both as Principal Bass and as a Soloist with the National Repertoire Orchestra in 2003. Andrew has presented at the Chicago Bass Festival every year since its inception. Andrew enjoys teaching positions at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and The Wheaton Conservatory in addition to his private studios in Northwest Indiana and at the String Academy of Chicago in downtown Wheaton, Illinois. Information on Andrew's studios can be found on his website www.andersonbassworks.com. Andrew has a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Michigan, a Master of Music Degree from Indiana University, and served as a doctoral teaching fellow at the University of North Texas. Andrew's teachers include Stuart Sankey, Lawrence Hurst, Jeff Bradetich, Larry Zgonc, Bill Clay,Steve Molina, and his father Dave Anderson. Andrew studied string pedagogy with Robert Culver at the University of Michigan, and low string pedagogy at Indiana University with Helga Winolt. Andrew often appears as a sectional coach at DePaul University, the Elgin Youth Symphony, the Chicago Youth Symphony and Midwest Young Artists, and for nearly a decade has been a coach for the Elgin Youth Symphony's Chamber Music Institute. Andrew has supported public school music programs with benefit recitals in and around his hometown of Portland, Oregon. From 2011 to 2014 Andrew started a before school string ensemble at Westminster Christian School in Elgin, Illinois where he volunteered as the director. Andrew moved to Lowell, Indiana in 2014 where he now lives with his wife Rose, and their three sons.

Born in Aleppo, Syria into a musical family of six boys and three girls, François discovered the double bass at the age of thirteen when one of his brothers brought an instrument home and allowed him to experiment with it. When the family moved to Beirut, Lebanon he found an old copy of Edouard Nanny's Contrabass Method in a tailor shop and with some difficulty, since he read neither music nor French, began to teach himself. After nine years of work in Beirut, François saved enough money to move to Paris for a year. He was eager to go to the Paris Conservatory, meet with Monsieur Nanny and show him what he was able to do with the bass. When he applied at the Conservatory he was disappointed to learn that Nanny had died in 1947. He was also told that auditions were to be held in three days and that he would never have enough time to learn the required pieces. He asked for the music anyway and returned three days later to finish first among the applicants. However, his stay at the Conservatory was a brief one, since it didn't take very long to see that he was not only far ahead of the other students but of the professors as well! François Rabbath's uniqueness stems from his refusal to accept any traditional limitations. Whether performing his own fascinating compositions, the music of others or the classical repertoire, one is always moved by his profound musicianship and dazzling virtuosity. You quickly discover that he brings you such a sense of security that the most difficult passages sound effortless. The importance of François Rabbath to the development of double bass playing can be compared with that of Paganini to the violin. Since the early 1800s when Nicole Paganini established the violin as a virtuoso instrument, solo violinists have practiced the most brilliant of instrumental art. Meanwhile, the development of double bass playing had been seriously neglected. The great and popular 19th century composers did not consider the bass worth their attention and in turn the bass repertoire did not attract potential virtuoso performers with enough genius to change the situation. It demanded an artist with the unique qualities of François Rabbath to break this impasse. http://www.liben.com/FRBio.html

Ira Gold made his Carnegie Hall solo debut in 2011, performing the Vanhal Bass Concerto with the Catholic University of America Symphony Orchestra. Prior to joining the National Symphony in 2005, Mr. Gold performed with several American orchestras, as section bass with the Minnesota Orchestra and as guest principal bassist with the San Francisco Symphony and Detroit Symphony. He has attended festivals such as the Grand Teton Music Festival, Domaine Forget Music Academy, Bach Festival Leipzig, Aspen, and Tanglewood. Mr. Gold spent several summers at the International Festival Institute at Round Top both as a student and faculty. He is continually in demand for recitals and master classes, including recent visits at The Juilliard School, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Penn State University, University of North Texas, the International Society of Bassists Convention, and the Manhattan School of Music. Mr. Gold maintains a studio of private students, has taught lessons and coached chamber music in the National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship program, and has been a member of the double bass faculty at the Peabody Conservatory since 2009. He is also a co-founding member of Peabody Bass Works, a one-week bass camp held every July at Peabody. An active chamber musician, Mr. Gold has performed with the East Coast Chamber Orchestra, the NSO Millennium Stage Prelude Series, Peabody Conservatory faculty, and the New Orchestra of Washingon. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree at Boston University's College of Fine Arts, and his Master of Music degree at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, where he won the strings division of the 2005 Concerto Competition. His primary teachers include Edwin Barker and Paul Ellison, and additional studies with Albert Laszlo, Kenneth Harper, Dennis Whittaker, Mark Shapiro, and Harry Lantz.

John started playing Double Bass at the age of 11. He attended The Julliard School during high school and was a scholarship student at Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana where he studied with Lawrence Hurst. After graduating from IU, he attended the Manhattan School of Music completing his Masters Degree with Timothy Cobb. Mr. Grillo performed at The Tanglewood Music Center from 1994 to 1996. Other festivals include the National Repertory Orchestra, Festival di Due Mondi in Italy, and Pacific Music Festival in Japan. John is Principal Double Bass of the Princeton Symphony and is a substitute with the Philadelphia Orchestra. John was a member of the New World Symphony from 1999-2002. His other professional engagements include performances with the New Jersey Symphony, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera, Wheeling Symphony, Memphis Symphony, and the Sarasota Opera. John was a faculty member with The Pittsburgh Music Academy from 2002-2006. Future engagements include the Iris Orchestra, Philadelphia Virtuosi, Pennsylvania Ballet, The Princeton Festival, The Philly Pops, Opera New Jersey and the Princeton Symphony.

This episode features the first part of an interview that Jason recently did with double bassist Weldon Anderson. Weldon has worked in many styles of music, from traditional classical bass playing to very experimental forms of music. The first part of this interview discusses Weldon's early years on the instrument and how he became involved Pittsburgh's Squonk Opera. Weldon Anderson was a member of the Squonk Opera when they secured a run on Broadway in New York City, and Weldon and Jason discuss the unique situation of getting to Broadway by creating your own show. What an unusual and very interesting trajectory! Visit the Squonk Opera to learn more about this ensemble http://squonkopera.com Click here to read the Ben Brantley review of the Squonk Opera ____________ The music of double bassist Donovan Stokes is featured throughout the episode from his recent album Gandaha. A former student of David Murray and Edgar Meyer, Donovan manages to blend several styles of bass playing and create his own compelling compositions. I am a real fan of Donovan's, and I can't wait to hear more of his playing. Visit http://donovanstokes.com for more information on this extremely talented and creative bassist. About Donovan: Fluent on electric bass and double bass, Dr. Donovan Stokes currently teaches bass and composition in the Department of Music at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA and bass in the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Columbus, GA. He earned his D.M.A and M.M from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and his B.M. from Vanderbilt University. An active soloist, composer, and clinician Stokes is a specialist in the use of amplified and electronically manipulated double bass and performs regularly both as a soloist and a sideman in a variety of musical genres, venues and collaborations.

This week's episode features double bassist Kate Nettleman. Kate was based here in the Chicago area at the time of this recording, but she moved on to become Principal Bass of the Hong Kong Philharmonic and then to a section position in the Minnesota Orchestra. About Kate Kathryn Nettleman - as a young student of Neil Courtney, Assistant Principal Bass with the Philadelphia Orchestra, she performed with numerous local ensembles including the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. During this time she twice received the New Jersey Governor's Award in Arts Education. She attended The Juilliard School as a full-scholarship student of Homer Mensch and following graduation spent a year studying with Don Palma at the Yale University School of Music. For several summers she performed in the Aspen Music Festival and the Spoleto (USA) Music Festival. Ms. Nettleman then spent two seasons in the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, during which time she was involved in a wide variety of solo and chamber music performances, musical outreach projects, and served as co-chair of a concert series. In 2001, she was awarded by her colleagues there the "NWS Musician of the Year Award for Artistic Leadership." The following year she served as a section member in the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, where she was active as a performer in introductory musical programs for elementary and middle school children. Currently living in Chicago, Ms. Nettleman performs regularly with many local ensembles including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Symphony II, and Grant Park Symphony. She serves as a volunteer friendly visitor to the elderly through Resurrection Health Care Home Health Services. In addition to making music, she enjoys running, gardening, reading, and vegetarian cooking and baking. You will be hearing some duets on this episode that Kate and Jason recorded at the 2007 Whitewater Winter Bassfest.

This week's episode features a series of tracks from double bassist Andrew Anderson. Andy was our guest on episodes 4 and 7. Andy used a different set-up for each set of tracks, and he describes the strings and other differentiating factors between each track. This is a very interesting episode, and I hope you enjoy it! Track sequence: Koussevitzky Concerto mvt 1 Koussevitzky Concerto mvt 2 Failing Bottesini Concerto No. 2 mvt 1 Frescobaldi Sonata Paganini Moses Fantasy Monti Czardas

This episode of Contrabass Conversations features an interview with composer Bjorn Berkhout. Bjorn discusses his musical training, his various compositions for bass, and the challenges of writing for the double bass. Musical selections from his pieces Steamworks and Rise are also played on the show this week. To find out more about Bjorn's activities, visit http://bjornb.com/. To order Bjorn's double bass music, visit discordia-music.com. We also play a track called Big Green Horn by the band Death Chariot. Visit them online at deathchariot.com, or e-mail [email protected] to get in touch.

We start this episode with Schgweik Farht, one of the movements from David Anderson's seven double bass duets. You will also hear the Bach Gigue from the third cello suite and the second movement of the Schubert Arpeggione Sonata. John will be assisted by Peter Guild- Double Bass(member Pittsburgh Symphony) on the Anderson duets and by pianist Alaine Fink on the Schubert. In this second part of our interview with John Grillo, Jason and John discuss the gear John plays on, his thoughts on French and German bow, his experiences in the opera pit, and his experiences with freelancing. John also offers advice to music school students on how to establish a freelance career in various metropolitan areas. About John: John started playing Double Bass at the age of 11. He attended The Julliard School during high school and was a scholarship student at Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana where he studied with Lawrence Hurst. After graduating from IU, he attended the Manhattan School of Music completing his Masters Degree with Timothy Cobb. Mr. Grillo performed at The Tanglewood Music Center from 1994 to 1996. Other festivals include the National Repertory Orchestra, Festival di Due Mondi in Italy, and Pacific Music Festival in Japan. John is Principal Double Bass of the Princeton Symphony and is a substitute with the Philadelphia Orchestra. John was a member of the New World Symphony from 1999-2002. His other professional engagements include performances with the New Jersey Symphony, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera, Wheeling Symphony, Memphis Symphony, and the Sarasota Opera. John was a faculty member with The Pittsburgh Music Academy from 2002-2006. Future engagements include the Iris Orchestra, Philadelphia Virtuosi, Pennsylvania Ballet, The Princeton Festival, The Philly Pops, Opera New Jersey and the Princeton Symphony.

On this episode of the show we continue our interview with double bassist Phillip W. Serna. Phillip is an active double bass and viola da gamba performer, clinician, and pedagogue in the Chicago metropolitan area. In this episode of Contrabass Conversations, Phillip gives general student advice, practice tips, advice on choosing schools, and much more. Visit him online at http://www.phillipwserna.com/ News & Notes: Jason talks about some of the more popular features of his blog, including the recital showcase and bass video archive. Listen to the end of the podcast for some of the worst instrumental playing you'll ever hear in your life! Music played: Music from Phillip Serna Prokofiev Quintet mvt 2 Rachmaninoff Vocalise

This is a special Recital Showcase edition of Contrabass Conversations featuring the music of John Grillo. John was interviewed on Contrabass Conversations episode 6. This episode is a live performance of John's complete recital, which was performed in Pittsburgh, PA in 2006. Recital Program: Bach Suite No. 3 for Solo Violincello Allemande Sarabande Bourrees I and II Gigue John Grillo, Double Bass Schubert "Arpeggione" Sonata Allegro Moderato Andante Allegro John Grillo, Double Bass Alaine Fink, Piano David Anderson-Seven Double Bass Duets Kibbles & Kibitz Parade of the Politically Prudent Pigs Gustav's 11 O'clock Dance Schgweik Farht Lament Blue Cheeze Rush Hour Peter Guild- Double Bass(member Pittsburgh Symphony) John Grillo - Double Bass Stanley Chepaitis-Slow Dance Duet for Violin and Double Bass (Transcription-John Grillo) Stanley Chepaitis- Violin John Grillo - Double Bass Stanley is a violin professor at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Original piece written for violin and cello. About John: John started playing Double Bass at the age of 11. He attended The Julliard School during high school and was a scholarship student at Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana where he studied with Lawrence Hurst. After graduating from IU, he attended the Manhattan School of Music completing his Masters Degree with Timothy Cobb. Mr. Grillo performed at The Tanglewood Music Center from 1994 to 1996. Other festivals include the National Repertory Orchestra, Festival di Due Mondi in Italy, and Pacific Music Festival in Japan. John is Principal Double Bass of the Princeton Symphony and is a substitute with the Philadelphia Orchestra. John was a member of the New World Symphony from 1999-2002. His other professional engagements include performances with the New Jersey Symphony, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera, Wheeling Symphony, Memphis Symphony, and the Sarasota Opera. John was a faculty member with The Pittsburgh Music Academy from 2002-2006. Future engagements include the Iris Orchestra, Philadelphia Virtuosi, Pennsylvania Ballet, The Princeton Festival, The Philly Pops, Opera New Jersey and the Princeton Symphony.

Andrew Anderson performs in nearly 150 concerts every year and teaches over a dozen students of all levels each week. Andrew Anderson is a member of the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra, the Chicago Philharmonic, and performs regularly with Music of the Baroque. He has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, Columbus Symphony, American Ballet Theater, and New World Symphony. He has held positions in twelve different orchestras across seven states, serving as principal bass in four of them. Andrew has performed recitals at Wheaton College, radio broadcasts on WDCB Jazz, and at the Chicago Cultural Center with the Chicago Bass Ensemble and also with bass voice, Andrea Silvestrelli. Andrew served both as Principal Bass and as a Soloist with the National Repertoire Orchestra in 2003. Andrew has presented at the Chicago Bass Festival every year since its inception. Andrew enjoys teaching positions at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and The Wheaton Conservatory in addition to his private studios in Northwest Indiana and at the String Academy of Chicago in downtown Wheaton, Illinois. Information on Andrew's studios can be found on his website www.andersonbassworks.com. Andrew has a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Michigan, a Master of Music Degree from Indiana University, and served as a doctoral teaching fellow at the University of North Texas. Andrew's teachers include Stuart Sankey, Lawrence Hurst, Jeff Bradetich, Larry Zgonc, Bill Clay,Steve Molina, and his father Dave Anderson. Andrew studied string pedagogy with Robert Culver at the University of Michigan, and low string pedagogy at Indiana University with Helga Winolt. Andrew often appears as a sectional coach at DePaul University, the Elgin Youth Symphony, the Chicago Youth Symphony and Midwest Young Artists, and for nearly a decade has been a coach for the Elgin Youth Symphony's Chamber Music Institute. Andrew has supported public school music programs with benefit recitals in and around his hometown of Portland, Oregon. From 2011 to 2014 Andrew started a before school string ensemble at Westminster Christian School in Elgin, Illinois where he volunteered as the director. Andrew moved to Lowell, Indiana in 2014 where he now lives with his wife Rose, and their three sons.

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features an interview and musical performances from double bassist John Grillo. John has got some great insight into the world of the bass, and this interview was both a lot of fun to do and very informative and interesting. About John: John started playing Double Bass at the age of 11. He attended The Julliard School during high school and was a scholarship student at Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana where he studied with Lawrence Hurst. After graduating from IU, he attended the Manhattan School of Music completing his Masters Degree with Timothy Cobb. Mr. Grillo performed at The Tanglewood Music Center from 1994 to 1996. Other festivals include the National Repertory Orchestra, Festival di Due Mondi in Italy, and Pacific Music Festival in Japan. John is Principal Double Bass of the Princeton Symphony and is a substitute with the Philadelphia Orchestra. John was a member of the New World Symphony from 1999-2002. His other professional engagements include performances with the New Jersey Symphony, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera, Wheeling Symphony, Memphis Symphony, and the Sarasota Opera. John was a faculty member with The Pittsburgh Music Academy from 2002-2006. Future engagements include the Iris Orchestra, Philadelphia Virtuosi, Pennsylvania Ballet, The Princeton Festival, The Philly Pops, Opera New Jersey and the Princeton Symphony. Double bass tracks for this episode consist of excerpts from David Anderson's Seven Double Bass Duets and Slow Dance by Stanley Chepaitis. Complete information: David Anderson-Seven Double Bass Duets Kibbles & Kibitz Parade of the Politically Prudent Pigs Gustav's 11 O'clock Dance Schgweik Farht Lament Blue Cheeze Rush Hour Peter Guild- Double Bass(member Pittsburgh Symphony) John Grillo - Double Bass Stanley Chepaitis-Slow Dance Duet for Violin and Double Bass (Transcription-John Grillo) Stanley Chepaitis- Violin John Grillo - Double Bass Stanley is a violin professor at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Original piece written for violin and cello.

This show features an interview with double bassist Phillip W. Serna. Phillip is an active double bass and viola da gamba performer, clinician, and pedagogue in the Chicago metropolitan area. In this episode of Contrabass Conversations, Phillip discusses his early years studying the bass, his training in Houston, TX, San Francisco, CA, and Chicago, IL, and general student advice. Visit him online at http://www.phillipwserna.com/ News & Notes: One of my crazy gig stories was excerpted for an article in Double Bassist magazine. Music played: Music from Phillip Serna Scott Worthington - Disrepresentation http://members.cox.net/stwbass [email protected]

This episode features part 1 of an interview with double bassist Andrew Anderson. Andy is a member of the double bass sections of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. In this episode, Andy discusses his early training and college years studying the double bass. Some listener feedback closes this episode of Contrabass Conversations.

Music played on this podcast is available from the Podsafe Music Network. Check them out at http://music.podshow.com. Jason starts this week's episode by playing Tu Cha Cha Cha by Antonin Bastian. Check out Antonin's blog at http://dr-vibe.blogspot.com/. Listener feedback from Ed in Sydney, Australia. Jason discusses the January performance of the IRIS Chamber Orchestra. Jason discusses the ins and outs of some aspects of the freelance music world. The comments are geared toward classical double bass players, but the information may be of value to all instrumentalists. The last track played on this episode is Spherical by saxophonist Evan Tate. There is a great bass solo by Henning Sieverts on this track. Check out Evan's website here.