FBPO Exclusive Bass Player Interviews


Peter Askim

This energetic young composer, conductor, performer and educator leads the bass effort at California's Idyllwild Arts Academy.
Read interview

   

Victor Bailey

Jazz/funk superstar shares his musical upbringing, establishing himself in the big city and (gasp!) stepping into Jaco's shoes!
Read interview

   

Bryan Beller

Bass superstar talks about the Zappa and Vai gigs, Berklee, solo CDs and more!
Read interview

   

Jeff Berlin

Bass icon recounts the journey from his days as a classical violinist to becoming one of the most
highly regarded electric bass players in the world!

Read interview

 

Tim Bogert

This true rock legend tells about his days with Vanilla Fudge, Jeff Beck, BIT and more!
Read interview

 

Brian Bromberg

Jazz bass superhero covers the early days with Stan Getz to designing basses for Peavey to his prolific CD output and more.
Read interview

   

Bunny Brunel

Superstar bass player talks about his musical upbringing in France, solo albums, desigining basses and more.
Read interview

 

Al Caldwell

"Travelin' Black Hillbilly" talks about the Vanessa Williams gig, his 11-string MIDI bass and more.
Read interview

   

Melvin Lee Davis

R&B bass hero tells Jon Liebman about his stellar career with Buddy Miles, Don Cornelius and much more in this exclusive FBPO interview.
Read interview

   

Dominique Di Piazza

European superstar bassist discusses his multi-cultural background, trademark right-hand technique, tours with Gil Evans and John McLaughlin, his own line of basses and lots more.
Read interview

 

Mike Dimin

The solo bass master explains the chordal approach, the Berklee experience, the Bassics gig and high-tech bass gear!
Read interview

   

Peter Dominguez

Oberlin's bassmaster shares his worldly insights and offers advice for playing jazz, classical and more.
Read interview

   

Uriah Duffy

Musical chameleon talks about life as Whitesnake's bass player, life on the road and being proficient in every style.
Read interview

 
 
   

Mark Egan

This in-demand bassist shares his insights on Jaco, the Metheney gig, his collection of exotic basses, current projects and lots more!
Read interview

   

David Ellefson

This heavy metal icon tells FBPO's Jon Liebman about Megadeth, F5 and Hail, his relationship with Dave Mustaine and a personal comment on the passing of Ronnie James Dio.
Read interview

   

Christian Fabian

Long-time Lionel Hampton bassist tells the story of coming to America, playing jazz, scoring films and becoming one of the east coast's busiest bass players!
Read interview

   

Ron Foos

Long-time bassist with Paul Revere & the Raiders talks about the gigs, equipment, personal projects and more. And wait till you read what happened in West Branch, Michigan!
Read interview

Ed Friedland

Writer, educator and bass "chameleon" tells FBPO about his books, DVDs and rekindled interest in country, rock, blues, R&B, salsa and swing!
Read interview

   

Bruce Gertz

Berklee's bass guru provides invaluable words of wisdom for bass players of all levels.
Read interview

   

Gary Grainger

Baltimore native discusses the John Scofield gig, designing basses, equipment preferences, recording projects and more.
Read interview

   

Larry Gray

Chicago's seasoned bass veteran Larry Gray talks about performing with jazz superstars, commissions from major orchestras, his long-running gig with Ramsey Lewis, first-call studio work and more.
Read interview

   

Randy "Grazy" Gray

Randy Gray has gone above and beyond for Canadian bass players, having organized the first-ever Canadian Rockies Bass Bash!
Read interview

   

Barry Green

Symphony player, composer and educator shares insights on orchestral playing,
programs for young bassists, his mega-popular "Inner Game" series and more.
Read interview

 

Stuart Hamm

Superstar bassist discusses early influences, the Berklee experience, gigs, gear, current and future projects and more!
Read interview

 

Ritt Henn

Bass player/songwriter/actor/TV producer (and one funny guy!) talks about the gigs with Buddy Rich and Chuck Berry, Broadway performances, CD projects and more.
Read interview

 
 
   

Peter Ind

Bass legend recounts his history-making role in the big band era, the gigs with Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge and Buddy Rich, starting Wave Records and much more.
Read interview

   

Jerry Jemmott

Read what this true bass legend has to say about working with Aretha Franklin, King Curtis, B.B. King, Wilson Pickett and countless others.
Read interview

 

Vail Johnson

Long-time Kenny G bottom man tells a great story about being a sideman (Herbie Hancock, Stevie Nicks) as well as an energetic leader.
Read interview

   

Mimi Jones

Multi-talented bassist, vocalist, composer, discusses her jazz upbringing, traveling for the State Department, new CD and more!
Read interview

 

Tom Knific

Bassist/composer/educator recounts his stellar career with Dave Brubeck, John Abercrombie and Art Farmer and offers advice for playing classical, jazz and more!
Read interview

 
   

Dave LaRue

Long-time Dixie Dreg tells FBPO about gigs, equipment, publications, solo projects and more.
Read interview

   

Will Lee

Late night icon talks about his southern upbringing, migration to New York, classic stories about what happened on the Letterman show and much more!
Read interview

 

Glenn Letsch

Robin Trower's bass player recounts gigs with Gregg Allman and Ronnie Montrose to Orville Redenbacher commercials to SIMS computer game soundtracks.
Read interview

 

Marshall Lytle

Original bassist with Bill Haley & the Comets is still Rockin' Around the Clock after all these years!
Read interview

   

Mike Merritt

Conan O'Brien bassist and the son of jazz bass legend Jymie Merritt is a star in his own right.
Read interview

   

Joseph Patrick Moore

Tennessee native and master bassist/composer/producer talks about his education, gigs, forming his own record label, brand new release and much more.
Read interview

 

Adam Nitti

Post-fusion bass powerhouse discusses technique, CD releases, online bass instruction and more.
Read interview

   

Curtis Ohlson

World-class musician talks about playing bass for Ray Charles and Buddy Rich and why he decided to re-release his critically acclaimed solo CDs - after 20 years!
Read interview

   

Nicky Orta

Miami-based performer and educator talks about performing with Cachao, touring
with Julio Iglesias, organizing jazz bass conferences and more!

Read interview

   

John Peña

Session player, touring artist, composer and arranger talks about the gigs, tours, film scores and more in this exclusive FBPO interview.
Read interview

   

Lonnie Plaxico

Jazz heavyweight talks about the gigs with Art Blakey, Jack DeJohnette and Cassandra Wilson; new CD and more
Read interview

 

Terry Plumeri

Extraordinary interview with master arco jazzer, who's also a conductor, composer and more. A most unusual musician!
Read interview

 
 
   

Chuck Rainey

One of the most recorded bass players in music history tells all about the records, movie soundtracks, TV shows, commercials, life in the studio and on the road.
Read interview

 

Rufus Reid

Jazz legend discusses performing, teaching, composing and much more!
Read interview

   

Frank Russell

First-call Chicago bassman describes his musical upbringing, collaborations with Darryl Jones, technique, equipment, solo CDs and more.
Read interview

   

Harvie S

Veteran jazz star and educator discusses bass influences, record dates, being a sideman and stepping out as a leader.
Read interview

 

Joe Santerre

The teacher of many bass greats, including Bryan Beller, Chris Chaney and Tom Hamilton, offers FBPO readers advice on how to be a better bass player.
Read interview

 

Lynn Seaton

This alumnus from the Woody Herman and Count Basie bands offers his insights on being a jazz bass powerhouse.
Read interview

 

Avery Sharpe

Raised in the church, 20 years with McCoy Tyner, stints with Archie Shepp and Art Blakey, brand new CD and more. Read his story.
Read interview

   

Leland Sklar

Bass legend recounts four decades of studio bass superstardom, including the musicians, equipment, Toto and, of course, that beard!
Read interview

   

Alexis Sklarevski

BIT department head talks about his work with CSN, the Zappas, Carole King and Chuck Berry, as well as his world-famous publications.
Read interview

   

Rhonda Smith

Jeff Beck's newest bass ace tells about working with the British guitar icon plus the gig with Prince, solo projects and more.
Read interview

   

Charlie Souza

Rock veteran recounts his gigs with Gregg Allman, Tom Petty and his current position as bass player for the New Rascals.
Read interview

   
Norm Stockton

Christian rocker talks about the Lincoln Brewster gig, clinics, equipment, new CD and much more!
Read interview

   

Rob Stoner

Former Dylan bandleader shares his experiences with Dylan, American Pie, songwriting, session work and much more.
Read interview

 
 
   

Gerald Veasley

Jazz/funk powerhouse tells FBPO's Jon Liebman about growing up in Philly, the gigs with Joe Zawinul and Grover Washington, Jr., developing the Electric Mingus Project and lots more!
Read interview

   

Roy Vogt

Nashville studio fixture talks about being schooled by Stanley and Miroslav, high profile tours, his monumental undertaking, "Teach Me Bass Guitar" and more.
Read interview

   

Rodney Whitaker

Current Michigan State University professor of jazz studies has shared the stage with Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Diana Krall, Diana Reeves, Chick Corea and many others.
Read interview

   

Victor Wooten

Bass superhero discusses his musical upbringing, the Béla Fleck gig, collaborations with Steve Bailey, the SMV project and much more in this exclusive FBPO interview!
Read interview