Other bass instruments and players worthy of respect

[Ace]

Our site here largely pertains to tubas which are relatively large bass instruments. Of course, we do have fellow musicians who play other bass instruments and this link is dedicated to them. It is lovely music and fine playing. Hope you enjoy it.



Ace

[greenbean]

That is really gorgeous! Wow. Here is a very different double bass.

[bloke]

Please list all of the "household name" contrabassoonists below:

[matt g]

https://youtu.be/eynnYLXW3Fo

[MedicineMan]

Please list all of the "household name" contrabassoonists below:

Bloke, this one’s for you...

https://youtu.be/IBV67Vxy1f8

As contrabassoonists go, Susan Nigro is about as close as you’re going to come to a “household name”.

[bloke]

Please list all of the "household name" contrabassoonists below:

Bloke, this one’s for you...

https://youtu.be/IBV67Vxy1f8

As contrabassoonists go, Susan Nigro is about as close as you’re going to come to a “household name”.

Yes, I already knew her name/reputation, but (well...) my neighbor (who plays bluegrass guitar) will not have heard of her (re: "household names").

Even when I was in the 8th grade (and required to buy and play a "tuba solo"), I thought the idea of a "tuba solo" was dumb, and (at that time, being able to look at notes on a page, and know how they sounded) I thought they all WERE dumb (at least, those available at that time) as well. Today, I only consider the vast majority of tuba solos (ie. not all of them) to be "dumb".

[Kirley]

Here is That One Guy.
He's an amazing upright bass player but his work with "the magic pipe", which he created, is definitely something special.
Hope you enjoy!

[hrender]

Here is That One Guy.
He's an amazing upright bass player but his work with "the magic pipe", which he created, is definitely something special.
Hope you enjoy!

Cool.

[graybach]

Christian McBride’s the man on jazz bass. He and Steven Heffner (then) of the UNT One O’Clock Lab Band swap bass licks in this video starting at 3:20.

https://youtu.be/0OR2iHpJq1Q

...and a killer opening bass solo while playing with Chick Corea...

https://youtu.be/V39lXlaj830

[hup_d_dup]

Adam Ben Ezra & dog

[LeMark]

If you haven't heard of Ranaan Meyer, let me introduce you to him. His group "Time for three" were the guest artists at a symphony concert I did several years ago. He was amazing

[Ace]

Thanks for that, Mark. The guy knows his way around his instrument. Those harmonics were just perfect.

Ace

[marccromme]

Fly or die, bass trombone, Lionel Fumeaux https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RB9vJpNYuL0

Devil's Waltz Martin Schippers & Tomer Maschkowski bass trombone duet, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SYGY3JsdurQ

Matyas Veer, contrabass trombone solo https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MD4KnHj7QHo and https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z14A-1xvdjQ

IngoLois contrabass trombone solo https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YxaiCORd8d0

[Ace]

That's a great collection of links. Astonishing playing. Thanks for posting. Things have really advanced in the world of bass trombone. Players today are able to do things technically that performers many years ago would not have thought possible.

Side note:
My distinguished old teacher, Hyrum Lammers, would be in disbelief if he could hear the performances linked in this thread. In 1954-55, I studied trumpet with Lammers who was retired bass trombonist from the Warner Brothers studio orchestra in the late 1930's-1940's. He had played bass trombone with the Sousa Band in 1926. Upon retirement he set up a studio on Hollywood Blvd and gave lessons to players on all brass instruments. Young hopeful amateurs such as myself and other pros and studio players alike wanted to take some lessons from him because of his renowned teaching methods. For example, Irving Bush, principal trumpet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic came in for "brushing up" lessons. Old Lammers was a mean, obscene disciplinarian who didn't waste his or his student's time in the lessons. No one loved him, but he kept people on their toes at all times. It was not a friendly or pleasant experience, but people learned valuable things, particularly use of air and ultra clean articulation.

Ace

[ppalan]

One of my favorite musicians is Ben Van Dijk; Multi-talented, Dutch-born Bass Trombonist with the Rotterdam Philharmonic. Here is a recent recording with the Coulissmen Trombone Ensemble from the Royal Conservatory in The Hague playing a composition by Steven Verhelst called "Hymn for Planet Earth" Here's what Mr. Van Dijk said about the music and this recording:

"A while ago I was asked by Frankie Ko ( student at the Royal Conservatory, The Hague ) to play a solo with his trombone ensemble "Coulissemen".
I always loved this beautiful piece originally composed for George Curran and Bradley Palmer's Columbus State University trombone Ensemble.
We thought the title of the piece and the beautiful melodies in it might bring you some positive vibes in these dark days.
I sincerely like to thank my young friends from Hongkong for their invitation to play with them and I congratulate for their wonderful accompaniment.
This weird, absurd time obviously also brings new opportunities and making a video like this would probably not have happened in normal times."

Hymn for Planet Earth - Steven Verhelst
A while ago I was asked by Frankie Ko ( student at the Royal Conservatory, The Hague ) to play a solo with his trombone ensemble "Coulissemen".
I always loved this beautiful piece originally composed for George Curran and Bradley Palmer's Columbus State University trombone Ensemble.
We thought the title of the piece and the beautiful melodies in it might bring you some positive vibes in these dark days.
I sincerely like to thank my young friends from Hongkong for their invitation to play with them and I congratulate for their wonderful accompaniment.
This weird, absurd time obviously also brings new opportunities and making a video like this would probably not have happened in normal times.



Pete

[marccromme]

Ben Disk is a nice one too, totally forgot to mention.

One of my favourites, for the little bass, is

PIAZZOLLA - Café 1930 // Anthony Caillet, euphonium https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mf2uYqDX8QA

I used to be able to view this one, but it's no more available from DK. Hope you can see it. It's marvellous!

[tubanh84]

Various bass recorders...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdQK5yhcE3U

And while it's not a solely bass instrument, WE CANNOT FORGET the mighty theorbo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeUcGD4rRRc

[hrender]

[hrender]

Also, the late Joe Temperly:

[Ace]

Also, the late Joe Temperly:

Fantastic bass clarinet playing. Nice serpent playing also.

Ace