Podcasts about janek gwizdala

Show Notes In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby sits down with six-time Grammy-nominated jazz fusion guitarist Mike Stern. Known for his legendary collaborations with icons like Miles Davis and the Brecker Brothers, Mike shares insights into his creative process for his latest album, Echoes and Other Songs.  The album features a stellar lineup, including Dennis Chambers, Bob Franceschini, Janek Gwizdala, and Leni Stern. Mike shares the musical and personal influences shaping this deeply heartfelt project, including a touching dedication to his late friend Jim Beard. The conversation also explores Mike's upcoming performances at Yoshi's Oakland, where he'll deliver electrifying sets with his all-star band. Whether you're a longtime jazz enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the artistry and passion behind one of jazz fusion's living legends. Guest Information Mike SternMike Stern is a celebrated jazz guitarist, composer, and bandleader. With over four decades of groundbreaking contributions to the jazz and fusion world, his work inspires audiences worldwide. His new album, Echoes, and Other Songs is available now. Website: Mike Stern Official Site Call-To-Action Don't miss Mike Stern's upcoming performances at Yoshi's Oakland on December 16 and 17. Grab your tickets now at Yoshi's before they sell out! Be sure to subscribe to Backstage Bay Area on YouTube and Apple Podcasts for more conversations with music legends. Episode Takeaways Behind-the-scenes insights into the making of Echoes and Other Songs. Mike Stern's reflections on collaborating with world-class musicians. A heartfelt tribute to Jim Beard and the emotional depth of the album. Exclusive details about Mike's 2025 plans and live shows at Yoshi's Oakland. Hashtags #BackstageBayArea #MikeStern #JazzFusion #EchoesAndOtherSongs #LiveAtYoshis #JazzMusic #MusicPodcast

These tips from the masters are a unique resource for all improvising musicians. In Part 2, composer/guitarist Dr. Richard Niles talks to Pat Metheny, Bob Belden, Randy Brecker, Martin Taylor, David Chesky, HIROMI, Ronnie Cuber, Soweto Kinch, Janek Gwizdala, and Paquito D'Rivera. Improvisation tips from the Masters Part 2 Watch this episode in video HERE #improvisation #MusicInterviews #Composer #Guitarist #DrRichardNiles #GaryBurton #MarkKing #KyleEastwood #RandyBrecker #PaquitoDRivera Please Like, Share, and Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE Buy Richard's acclaimed books HERE Buy Richard's astounding music HERE  Check our channel's official online shop for great & exclusive memorabilia HERE Send me enough for a cup of coffee at The Ritz to keep our Radio Richard growing: Via PayPal Via Patreon “Inside Improvisation” ©2005Niles Smiles Music by Richard Niles, sung by Katherine Gang

It's kind of crazy to think that over the years I've now made 263 episodes of this podcast. Sadly not all of them are still available, but having just gone back through the archives to count up the episodes, it reminded me that this is the thing I've been doing online the longest in terms of communicating with my audience. The original episodes, recorded with the built-in mic of an old laptop went out sometime in the fall of 2006. I was by no means first. I think podcasting started at least 2 or 3 years earlier. But I remember thinking “this could be something…”. Well here it is, some 17 years later, still hanging in there. Obviously, had I been consistent over the years, we could have been on episode 2,630 and not 263, but I'm still very motivated to keep doing it and very much appreciate the support you all continue to give it. All the links you need from today's episode are below. More soon, JanekNew Album Pre-OrderTour Dates November 4th - Bournemouth Masterclass 3pm | Absolute Music November 6th - London Masterclass 2pm | Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho November 6th - London | Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho November 7th - London | Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho November 8th - Nottingham Masterclass 3pm | Peggy's Skylight November 8th - Nottingham | Peggy's Skylight Bass Books Bass Lessons Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Is a signature instrument still a standard perk of modern bass stardom? Janek Gwizdala has attracted his fair share of signature models over the years, including basses for Fodera in 2012 and Mattisson Basses in 2017. In this episode, Janek explains why he has since turned his back on endorsement deals, and why he'll never make music just for social likes.In this episode you're going to learn:All about Janek's new F BassHow he became ‘the pedal guy'Why Janek deleted all of his social mediaWhat happened to his daily vlog?And why he refuses to play a signature bass (ever again)

Is a signature instrument still a standard perk of modern bass stardom? Janek Gwizdala has attracted his fair share of signature models over the years, including basses for Fodera in 2012 and Mattisson Basses in 2017. In this episode, Janek explains why he has since turned his back on endorsement deals, and why he'll never make music just for social likes.In this episode you're going to learn:All about Janek's new F BassHow he became ‘the pedal guy'Why Janek deleted all of his social mediaWhat happened to his daily vlog?And why he refuses to play a signature bass (ever again)

Tomo Fujita is a professional guitarist and an esteemed professor at Berklee College of Music. As a professor, he's taught students, such as John Mayer, and has played with legendary musicians such as Steve Jordan, Susan Tedeschi, Phil Colins, and Steve Gadd. In this episode, Tomo and Jack discuss the intricacies of George Harrison's guitar solos, Tomo's favorite Beatles songs, and how The Beatles composed their songs - and how it makes their music timeless.   Check out Tomo's website: https://tomojustfunky.com/ Tomo's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LklK7nlFYU   If you like this episode, be sure to subscribe to this podcast! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Or click here for more information: Linktr.ee/BeatlesEarth   ----- The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all timeand were integral to the development of 1960s counterculture and popular music's recognition as an art form. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock 'n' roll, their sound incorporated elements of classical music and traditional pop in innovative ways; the band later explored music styles ranging from ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock. As pioneers in recording, songwriting and artistic presentation, the Beatles revolutionised many aspects of the music industry and were often publicised as leaders of the era's youth and sociocultural movements. Led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, the Beatles evolved from Lennon's previous group, the Quarrymen, and built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over three years from 1960, initially with Stuart Sutcliffe playing bass. The core trio of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, together since 1958, went through a succession of drummers, including Pete Best, before asking Starr to join them in 1962. Manager Brian Epstein moulded them into a professional act, and producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings, greatly expanding their domestic success after signing to EMI Records and achieving their first hit, "Love Me Do", in late 1962.   Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr all released solo albums in 1970. Their solo records sometimes involved one or more of the others; Starr's Ringo (1973) was the only album to include compositions and performances by all four ex-Beatles, albeit on separate songs. With Starr's participation, Harrison staged the Concert for Bangladesh in New York City in August 1971. Other than an unreleased jam session in 1974, later bootlegged as A Toot and a Snore in '74, Lennon and McCartney never recorded together again. Two double-LP sets of the Beatles' greatest hits, compiled by Klein, 1962–1966 and 1967–1970, were released in 1973, at first under the Apple Records imprint. Commonly known as the "Red Album" and "Blue Album", respectively, each has earned a Multi-Platinum certification in the US and a Platinum certification in the UK. Between 1976 and 1982, EMI/Capitol released a wave of compilation albums without input from the ex-Beatles, starting with the double-disc compilation Rock 'n' Roll Music. The only one to feature previously unreleased material was The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl (1977); the first officially issued concert recordings by the group, it contained selections from two shows they played during their 1964 and 1965 US tours. The music and enduring fame of the Beatles were commercially exploited in various other ways, again often outside their creative control. In April 1974, the musical John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert, written by Willy Russell and featuring singer Barbara Dickson, opened in London. It included, with permission from Northern Songs, eleven Lennon-McCartney compositions and one by Harrison, "Here Comes the Sun". Displeased with the production's use of his song, Harrison withdrew his permission to use it.Later that year, the off-Broadway musical Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band on the Road opened. All This and World War II (1976) was an unorthodox nonfiction film that combined newsreel footage with covers of Beatles songs by performers ranging from Elton John and Keith Moon to the London Symphony Orchestra. The Broadway musical Beatlemania, an unauthorised nostalgia revue, opened in early 1977 and proved popular, spinning off five separate touring productions. In 1979, the band sued the producers, settling for several million dollars in damages. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978), a musical film starring the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton, was a commercial failure and an "artistic fiasco", according to Ingham. Accompanying the wave of Beatles nostalgia and persistent reunion rumours in the US during the 1970s, several entrepreneurs made public offers to the Beatles for a reunion concert.Promoter Bill Sargent first offered the Beatles $10 million for a reunion concert in 1974. He raised his offer to $30 million in January 1976 and then to $50 million the following month. On 24 April 1976, during a broadcast of Saturday Night Live, producer Lorne Michaels jokingly offered the Beatles $3,000 to reunite on the show. Lennon and McCartney were watching the live broadcast at Lennon's apartment at the Dakota in New York, which was within driving distance of the NBC studio where the show was being broadcast. The former bandmates briefly entertained the idea of going to the studio and surprising Michaels by accepting his offer, but decided not to.   Tomo Fujita has been a professional guitarist for over thirty years and a faculty member at Berklee College of Music since 1993.  Tomo's philosophy, distilled into a one-liner, is that music is not just about playing; it's about emotional expression.  He teaches students to inject emotion into every phrase, whether the style is blues, jazz, funk or rock. Although he has resided in the United States for three decades, Tomo remains closely connected with musicians and the music business in his native Japan. He visits for a quick tour two or three times each year. Japanese guitar players have bought more than 160,000 copies of his (Japanese language) instructional books and videos. Tomo has performed with some of the best, including Will Lee, Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdie, Steve Jordan, Susan Tedeschi, Phil Collins, John Mayer, James Gadson, Travis Carlton, James Genus, Kenwood Dennard, Darryl Jones, Lemar Carter, Paul Jackson and Janek Gwizdala. When he is not performing on his own, Tomo likes to sit in with others, like Ronnie Earl, Coco Montoya, Eric Gales, Josh Smith, Kirk Fletcher, and Matt Schofield. Tomo has been an instructor to many great players over the years. The most famous of his former students is John Mayer. Tomo and John stay in touch to this day. Pictured above is a guitar that John signed for Tomo, next to the factory signature. Check out the video of these guys playing together during John's 2008 visit to Berklee, in the sidebar. Tomo also taught Eric Krasno of “Soulive” and Adam (“Shmeeans”) Smirnoff of “Lettuce” at Berklee. And there are three entertaining videos in the sidebar on this page featuring another former Berklee student: Tyler Larson, a shredder who has become an impressive teacher of guitar and music theory.

This episode deals with the loss of one of the worlds great musical institutions, and without doubt my favorite place to play of all time. I was fortunate to play there for almost two decades, encompassing hundreds of gigs and dozens of the worlds greatest jazz musicians. Come see my NY trio with Nir Felder and Cliff Almond at The Bitter End on November 30th. My first band leader gig in NYC since 2019. 

Money is always a hard topic to talk about when it comes to making a request for a fee as a band leader. But so many things go into informing that request that are rarely talked about. This episode deals with the long list of items I recently discussed with my new agent as we plan touring for my trio in 2023. Tickets for my upcoming show in NYC with Nir Felder and Cliff Almond on November 30th 2022 ARE HERE

Having put out a new album this year that was exclusively available through my website until now, I'm considering what my timeline for releasing the music and the documentary film to the general public might now look like. Join the conversation in the comments of the YouTube video I posted along with this episode.  

The gap between what you feel you're doing and what you're really doing when you practice or play live can be huge. Find out where you are on that scale using some of the same techniques and methods I do to help my awareness and learning process. This episode features content you can find in the LIVE ARCHIVE at Janek's Bass Studio. For all other books, music, and learning material please visit our BOOKSTORE. 

We're starting out on a trial basis, and have a few realistic short-term goals to increase the visibility of the new trio, my music as an artist, and the amount of touring I'm able to do with the trio as a band leader. Please get involved in the conversation on my Telegram channel and give us as many country, city, venue, and festival suggestions as you possibly can. I know I've asked for that in the past, but this time we might actually be able to capitalize on some momentum I have right now plus the hands on deck that are able to facilitate offers and reaching out to venues for booking. Make your suggestions HERE!

It's a working episode today with a look inside my process for working on music I need to know for touring that starts next week. I go over several of the pieces of music I'll need to have 100% dialed in just 5 days from now, and show you where I'm at in the process, and how I go about making sure I'm as prepared as possible. 

The internet has changed the way we make, listen to, and store music as both fans and professional musicians. Today I talk about my latest solution in the plex server, with my windows machine storing my vast music collection on SSD's at home in the studio. We also get into the issue of artists taking some of our favorite music off of the major streaming platforms, and how we might buy that music, own the files, and self-custody them in 2022. This is the company that built the machine I'm running my music library on: Steiger DynamicsDo you have a question? Drop it in my Telegram channel

It's great to be home after a very successful tour with the new trio. This episode is a quick recap of the week's events, and looks forward to what lays ahead for the band in 2023. 

I'm really happy to be able go get everything I need for this tour on a smaller pedalboard, and for it to all fit in a Pelican 1510 carryon. This wasn't always the plan, and in this episode I'll break down what led me to this specific set of pedals, as well as what I'm looking for in the future for my touring setup. New Pedalboard Build VideoTour Dates and tickets for the summer European tour:August 22nd - London: Pizza Express Jazz ClubAugust 23rd - Manchester: Stoller HallAugust 24th - Monaco: La Note BleueAugust 25th - Helsinki: Metropolia AMK KlubiAugust 26th - Viljandi: Rhythm FestivalTelegram Channel 

From underwear to flight cases, there are a multitude of things to remember when it comes time to leave on your. With my trio tour fast approaching in just a few days, this process is very much at the forefront of my mind. I'm sharing all my experience of how I used to do, how I do it now, and exactly what gear I take on tour. August 22nd - London: Pizza Express Jazz ClubAugust 23rd - Manchester: Stoller HallAugust 24th - Monaco: La Note BleueAugust 25th - Helsinki: Metropolia AMK KlubiAugust 26th - Viljandi: Rhythm FestivalTelegram Channel Things They Don't Tell You About Touring | The Road's Dirty Little Secrets

Let's bring some things into your musical orbit that you perhaps thought weren't on the menu quite yet, by making some minor adjustments to things you already know. A tiny change (literally one note in a scale) can open up a whole new world of sounds, and I want to use this simple concept to highlight the fact that jazz is not elitist. It's a language. Tour Dates and tickets for the summer European tour:August 22nd - London: Pizza Express Jazz ClubAugust 23rd - Manchester: Stoller HallAugust 24th - Monaco: La Note BleueAugust 25th - Helsinki: Metropolia AMK KlubiAugust 26th - Viljandi: Rhythm FestivalTelegram Channel 

Thanks for all the great feedback on the last episode. I get to some of your questions and comments in this follow-up, and tell a few stories from the road as both a band leader and freelance musician. Tour Dates and tickets for the summer European tour:August 22nd - London: Pizza Express Jazz ClubAugust 23rd - Manchester: Stoller HallAugust 24th - Monaco: La Note BleueAugust 25th - Helsinki: Metropolia AMK KlubiAugust 26th - Viljandi: Rhythm FestivalTelegram Channel 

Traveling as a musician can be one of the most stressful elements of our job. There are so many moving parts and things to consider, and quite often a lot of them are out of our control. This episode takes a look at how you can take maximum control over how you travel, and bring down the anxiety often associated with heading to the airport with a bunch of expensive gear, and not knowing when you're going to see it again. Casey Neistat video referenced in today's episodeTour Dates and tickets for the summer European tour: August 22nd - London: Pizza Express Jazz ClubAugust 23rd - Manchester: Stoller HallAugust 24th - Monaco: La Note BleueAugust 25th - Helsinki: Metropolia AMK KlubiAugust 26th - Viljandi: Rhythm FestivalTelegram Channel 

Over the past few days I spoke at length to over a dozen friends who are way high up in the world of gear and endorsements both as players and company employees. I heard some great stories, some eye-opening numbers, and some solid advice that I get to share with you in this episode. Don't forget tickets are now available for the first leg of my One Way Out world tour!August 22nd - London: Pizza Express Jazz ClubAugust 23rd - Manchester: Stoller Hall August 24th - Monaco: La Note BleueAugust 25th - Helsinki: Metropolia AMK KlubiAugust 26th - Viljandi: Rhythm Festival

http://www.vitalinformation.com/ Steve Smith's drumming, while decidedly modern, can best be described as a style that embodies the history of U.S. music. Steve is active as a band leader (Steve Smith and Vital Information) as a featured sideman (Mike Stern Group, Zakir Hussain's Masters of Percussion, Steps Ahead, Hiromi-The Trio Project) and as an educator/clinician. Steve Smith grew up in the Boston area and started playing drums at the age of nine in 1963. He studied music at the Berklee College of Music from 1972 to 1976 with Alan Dawson and Gary Chaffee as his private instructors. Over the past 45 years he has toured and recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz and rock - appearing on recordings that have sold over 100 million copies worldwide - including Journey, Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, Zucchero and Jean-Luc Ponty. Other notable jazz artists Smith has played with include Zakir Hussain, Buddy DeFranco, Benny Golson, Ahmad Jamal, Dave Liebman, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Bill Evans and Hiromi. Smith produced and played on a series of sixteen jazz albums for the Tone Center label featuring players such as Frank Gambale, Stu Hamm, Oteil Burbridge, Larry Coryell, Jerry Goodman, Howard Levy, Steve Marcus, Scott Henderson and Victor Wooten. His release The Best Of Steve Smith – The Tone Center Collection is a sample of some of his favorite tracks from those collaborations. Smith is currently touring with his own all-star band Vital Information featuring Manuel Valera (keyboards) and Janek Gwizdala (bass). The lastest Vital Information release is titled Heart Of The City. Vital Information is approaching its 40th Anniversary, as the first Vital Information album was released in 1983. Wounded Bird Records is starting the celebration with the 2022 release of The Complete Columbia Recordings, a four CD set of the first four Vital Information albums. From 2016-2019 Steve Smith toured with the iconic rock band Journey, the group in which he recorded nine albums with massive hits. In 2017 Smith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Contact Counterparts through the website: www.counterpartsshow.com

http://www.vitalinformation.com/ Steve Smith's drumming, while decidedly modern, can best be described as a style that embodies the history of U.S. music. Steve is active as a band leader (Steve Smith and Vital Information) as a featured sideman (Mike Stern Group, Zakir Hussain's Masters of Percussion, Steps Ahead, Hiromi-The Trio Project) and as an educator/clinician. Steve Smith grew up in the Boston area and started playing drums at the age of nine in 1963. He studied music at the Berklee College of Music from 1972 to 1976 with Alan Dawson and Gary Chaffee as his private instructors. Over the past 45 years he has toured and recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz and rock - appearing on recordings that have sold over 100 million copies worldwide - including Journey, Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, Zucchero and Jean-Luc Ponty. Other notable jazz artists Smith has played with include Zakir Hussain, Buddy DeFranco, Benny Golson, Ahmad Jamal, Dave Liebman, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Bill Evans and Hiromi. Smith produced and played on a series of sixteen jazz albums for the Tone Center label featuring players such as Frank Gambale, Stu Hamm, Oteil Burbridge, Larry Coryell, Jerry Goodman, Howard Levy, Steve Marcus, Scott Henderson and Victor Wooten. His release The Best Of Steve Smith – The Tone Center Collection is a sample of some of his favorite tracks from those collaborations. Smith is currently touring with his own all-star band Vital Information featuring Manuel Valera (keyboards) and Janek Gwizdala (bass). The lastest Vital Information release is titled Heart Of The City. Vital Information is approaching its 40th Anniversary, as the first Vital Information album was released in 1983. Wounded Bird Records is starting the celebration with the 2022 release of The Complete Columbia Recordings, a four CD set of the first four Vital Information albums. From 2016-2019 Steve Smith toured with the iconic rock band Journey, the group in which he recorded nine albums with massive hits. In 2017 Smith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Contact Counterparts through the website: www.counterpartsshow.com

http://www.vitalinformation.com/ Steve Smith's drumming, while decidedly modern, can best be described as a style that embodies the history of U.S. music. Steve is active as a band leader (Steve Smith and Vital Information) as a featured sideman (Mike Stern Group, Zakir Hussain's Masters of Percussion, Steps Ahead, Hiromi-The Trio Project) and as an educator/clinician. Steve Smith grew up in the Boston area and started playing drums at the age of nine in 1963. He studied music at the Berklee College of Music from 1972 to 1976 with Alan Dawson and Gary Chaffee as his private instructors. Over the past 45 years he has toured and recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz and rock - appearing on recordings that have sold over 100 million copies worldwide - including Journey, Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, Zucchero and Jean-Luc Ponty. Other notable jazz artists Smith has played with include Zakir Hussain, Buddy DeFranco, Benny Golson, Ahmad Jamal, Dave Liebman, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Bill Evans and Hiromi. Smith produced and played on a series of sixteen jazz albums for the Tone Center label featuring players such as Frank Gambale, Stu Hamm, Oteil Burbridge, Larry Coryell, Jerry Goodman, Howard Levy, Steve Marcus, Scott Henderson and Victor Wooten. His release The Best Of Steve Smith – The Tone Center Collection is a sample of some of his favorite tracks from those collaborations. Smith is currently touring with his own all-star band Vital Information featuring Manuel Valera (keyboards) and Janek Gwizdala (bass). The lastest Vital Information release is titled Heart Of The City. Vital Information is approaching its 40th Anniversary, as the first Vital Information album was released in 1983. Wounded Bird Records is starting the celebration with the 2022 release of The Complete Columbia Recordings, a four CD set of the first four Vital Information albums. From 2016-2019 Steve Smith toured with the iconic rock band Journey, the group in which he recorded nine albums with massive hits. In 2017 Smith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Contact Counterparts through the website: www.counterpartsshow.com

The podcast is back after a one year hiatus, and it's all thanks to my recent uncoupling from social media. I've quieted the noise, brought my focus to where it needs to spend more time, and as a result have more time to be creative and produce these episodes for you. Aside from explaining a bit of my social media journey, I get into some new music, new pedals, and stereo imaging with my bass rig as I prepare to go to the studio in Spain next month and record my new trio. As mentioned in the show, you can join my new Telegram Channel to be a part of the conversation algorithm-free: https://t.me/janekgwizdala

In the 30th episode of my podcast I talk to the Janek Gziwdala, outstanding bass player and seasoned "internet professional". I'm very grateful I got to talk to him.   Janek's website: https://www.janekgwizdala.com   Please join my mailing list at http://www.markusreuter.com

Janek Gwizdala (janekgwizdala.com) is a world class bass player who has played with many musicians from John Mayer to Mike Stern. It was Mark Lettieri who recommended him to me and put me in touch with Janek. I didn't know before this London-born musician who is now based in Los Angeles. The 40min interview with

Jazz Improv Magazine called Jay Azzolina “one of the finest and most talented guitarists on the planet”, and I would be the last to argue with them. As my fellow student at The Berklee College of Music back in the 1970s, Jay knocked everyone out (including our teacher Pat Metheny) every time he picked up the guitar. He earned a Grammy nomination for his work with Spyro Gyra in the 1980s and went on to work with Michael Brecker, John Patitucci, Herbie Mann and Chuck Mangione. He said of playing with Brecker and Patitucci, “The reason these guys are so amazing is because while playing they are constantly dealing you their music and at the same time receiving your music back and instantaneously making it theirs again. To me this is real group improvisation that is possible only with exceptional, giving players.”  He has also worked with singers Michael Franks, Donna Summer, Rickie Lee Jones, Manhattan Transfer and Carly Simon. His CDs as a leader include Never Too Late 1989, Past Tense 2000, Live At One Station Plaza 2002, The Rolling Stones Project 2005 and Local Dialect 2007. (More info at http://www.jayazzolina.net/) I interviewed Jay at his home for my “What Is Melody?” series, and I had him demonstrate his ideas accompanied by bassist Janek Gwizdala. I also have Jay demonstrate his ability to not hurt me when I forced him to play different emotions and styles. SPECIAL BONUS: I booked Jay LIVE at Pizza Express Jazz Club in London with my friends Gary Husband (drums/piano) and Laurence Cottle (bass) from June 4, 2011. This is killer stuff and you only get this with RadioRichard. SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel! Donate to our PATREON! Pretty Please!

Guitarists and jazzbos will love this masterclass in improvisation from award-winning guitarist and composer MIKE STERN. Recorded in 2007 at his NY apartment, the floors covered in music, he talks working with Miles Davis and Michael Brecker, and demonstrates his concepts on his Telecaster, aided by the superb Janek Gwizdala on bass. I went to the Berklee College of Music with Mike 1971-1975 and he played in my Guitar Quartet commissioned by Pat with guitarists Mitch Coodley and Jay Azzolina. So this is a relaxed ‘hang' that will be a valuable resource for students and fun for all. I recorded this for my two BBC Radio 2 series “What is Melody?” and “Inside Improvisation.   “What is Melody?” ©2007 Niles Smiles Music (BMI) sung by Daisy Chute, End sting sung by Free Play Duo, Dylan Bell & Suba Sankaran

I interviewed award winning bass virtuoso & composer John Patitucci in 2007 for my BBC radio series “What Is Melody” in his basement studio in his home, after having a fabulous cup of espresso! I was assisted by my friend, bassist and pianist Janek Gwizdala. This is a masterclass from a true master of both upright and electric bass as John demonstrates his approach to melody on his two instruments. [Theme sung by Daisy Chute. End sting sung by Dylan Bell & Suba Sankaran]

I talk about a bunch of different stuff. But make sure you follow Roni Kaspi who is fast becoming my new favorite drummer. I jammed along to some of her playing on instagram in the episosde, so the least I can do is link you to her here: https://www.instagram.com/roniponi100/ One of the best young voices in music I've heard in over a decade. 

Study with Janek ► https://www.janeksbassstudio.com/ Our latest book is - Bass Player's Guide To Pentatonics: https://tinyurl.com/yclukay2 All our other books are here: https://store.janekgwizdala.com/SUBSCRIBE to the YouTube Channel for FREE videos ► https://www.youtube.com/user/janekgwizdala/

I am so exited, super proud, and a little exhausted still from the process, to present my brand new book Bass Player's Guide To Pentatonics. It's been some months in the process, and today's episode of The Practice Room takes an in-depth look at my practice routine, and how I use pentatonics for bass lines, melodies, composition, soloing, and technique building. The book comes with over 100 video examples, and over 50 play alongs, all available for streaming or download with your purchase. Don't forget to leave some pentatonic related questions in the comments below, and enjoy the episode! Pentatonic book digital: https://tinyurl.com/yclukay2 Pentatonic Book Physical: https://tinyurl.com/y8oq5o36 JG Bass Solo preset for the Line6 HX Stomp: https://tinyurl.com/y7yps2bj Take your transcription to the next level by checking out the Transcription Vault at Janek's Bass Studio: https://www.janeksbassstudio.com/courses/the-transcription-vault Sign the mailing list and be the first to know: http://eepurl.com/dCdyHz And check out all the books we have on jazz vocabulary, chordal harmony, and bass playing at the store: https://store.janekgwizdala.com/

Thank you for all your questions via Instagram for today's epic Q&A. We got questions ranging from "what bass strings do you use?" to "How do you transcribe fast Joshua Redman lines?". It was super fun to answer all your questions, and always great to talk about music, and relive some old experiences in the hopes of helping you on your quest to becoming a better bass player. We're right in the middle of the launch of our new book on on pentatonics which you can find here: https://tinyurl.com/yclukay2 I referenced two videos in the Q&A: How to learn material you've transcribed: https://youtu.be/gUsa8WMILK0 Transcribing using the old pencil and paper method: https://youtu.be/CjlFrNBOFvQ And with so many questions about transcription today, you might want to consider taking your transcription to the next level by checking out the Transcription Vault at Janek's Bass Studio: https://www.janeksbassstudio.com/courses/the-transcription-vault Sign the mailing list and be the first to know: http://eepurl.com/dCdyHz And check out all the books we have on jazz vocabulary, chordal harmony, and bass playing at the store: https://store.janekgwizdala.com/

George Whitty is one of the reasons I moved to America, due to his involvement in the live recording of the Return of the Brecker Brothers world tour in 1992, a VHS that I wore out on a daily basis and swore I would try and play with everyone in the band. My dream of doing that has come true over the past 25 years, and not only that, but it has led to one of my most cherished musical friendships, both professionally and personally. George and I have been playing in a somewhat co-led trio Third Rail (we both contribute songs to the band, although it was George's idea to put the band together) since 2012, and have played in the US, Europe and Japan, releasing one live album in 2014 "Live Across Europe", with the great Tom Brechtlein on drums. George is one of my favorite cats to be on the road with, and whenever we get a chance to play together, the music is always going to be big fun, and then the hang (something all musicians spend more time doing than playing music) even more so. George's credits are so deep and far reaching, it's hard to list them all in one place. Aside from the four Grammy Awards and one Emmy, he's produced music, played with, and arragned for Michael Brecker, The Brecker Brothers, Chaka Khan, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Dave Matthews, Celine Dion, Richard Bona, and many more. It was, as it always is, a real treat to sit down and pick his brain for an hour, and I'm psyched to be able to share this with you all. Check out George's Lessons: https://www.jazzlessonsonskype.com/ Take your transcription to the next level by checking out the Transcription Vault at Janek's Bass Studio: https://www.janeksbassstudio.com/courses/the-transcription-vault Sign the mailing list and be the first to know: http://eepurl.com/dCdyHz And check out all the books we have on jazz vocabulary, chordal harmony, and bass playing at the store: https://store.janekgwizdala.com/

Victor Wooten is arguably one of the most important voices not just in bass guitar, but in modern music. From his incredibly early beginnings, surrounded by a family of musical brothers who mentored and taught him, to worldwide success in bands like Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and the all-star bass trio SMV with Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller, the journey has been action packed. Add to that, a stellar career as a composer and band leader, with 11 solo albums to his name, and you can start to build a picture of someone who lives and breathes music day in, and day out. But you would still only have half the picture. Now in its 21st year, Vix Camps host bass players and musicians from around the world, in one of the most successful music camps in history. With legendary guest teachers, live performances, and a hugely popular nature awareness component, Victor has cemented himself in history as a pioneer of music education, not only with his camps, but with best selling books, instructional videos, and a demand for him the world over as a clinician, and guest lecturer at the worlds most prestigious teaching venues. I am hugely proud to call him a friend, a colleague, and on some level a mentor through learning so much from his music over the years. I'm lucky enough to be able to present this interview for you, and give you a look into his world, his process, how he's dealing with being forced off the road like the rest of the world right now, and what his plans are for the future. Vic's Website: https://www.victorwooten.com/ Take your transcription to the next level by checking out the Transcription Vault at Janek's Bass Studio: https://www.janeksbassstudio.com/courses/the-transcription-vault Sign the mailing list and be the first to know: http://eepurl.com/dCdyHz And check out all the books we have on jazz vocabulary, chordal harmony, and bass playing at the store: https://store.janekgwizdala.com/

Unless you've been living under a digital rock for the past 5 years, you probably already know who bassist and YouTuber Adam Neely is. But what you might not know, is how he came to hit 1 million subscribers this month, all from a very niche lane of music theory analysis and video essay production. From topics as diverse as microtonal lo-fi hip hop and Shakuhachi Music, Adam has maintained a consistent upload rate of one video per week for the past 5 years. But that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his process. From posting bass videos and not having much of a working concept for the channel, to literally transcribing the internet, finding his niche, and reaching the coveted million-subscriber milestone this month, we unpack the journey of the bass player, turned YouTuber, turned music theory guru that is Adam Neely. Adams Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/havic5/ A limited number of private lessons are now available here: https://tinyurl.com/ycj6n7wo Take your transcription to the next level by checking out the Transcription Vault at Janek's Bass Studio: https://www.janeksbassstudio.com/courses/the-transcription-vault Sign the mailing list and be the first to know: http://eepurl.com/dCdyHz And check out all the books we have on jazz vocabulary, chordal harmony, and bass playing at the store: https://store.janekgwizdala.com/

Working hard every day to add this new modular synth sounding element to my pedalboard with the eventide H9, and Iron Ethere's Dubterranea and Xerograph Deluxe. I'm getting more comfortable with the patch switching, but there's a long way to go with the signal chain, the routing of the pedalboard, and the overall control I have of it with the expression pedals. The pedals I used in today's video are linked below. A limited number of private lessons are now available here: https://tinyurl.com/ycj6n7wo Take your transcription to the next level by checking out the Transcription Vault at Janek's Bass Studio: https://www.janeksbassstudio.com/courses/the-transcription-vault Sign the mailing list and be the first to know: http://eepurl.com/dCdyHz And check out all the books we have on jazz vocabulary, chordal harmony, and bass playing at the store: https://store.janekgwizdala.com/ Eventide H9: https://www.eventideaudio.com/products/stompboxes/multi-effect-processor/h9 Iron Ether Pedals: https://ironether.com/ Line6 HX Stomp: https://line6.com/hx-stomp/

I was up until 4am last night programming some voicings in the Eventide H9's "Quadravox" algorithm, and today's practice session is what was born out of that. I love the fact that I can program up to for voices over four octaves, but have yet to find a solution for programming parallel voicings, and not being tied down to a mode or tonal center. There's a lot of Michael Brecker EWI influence here, and I've been a big fan of Robby Kilgore and George Whitty who I know both did programming for Mike's setup. But there there is an equal amount of influence from modern pop and electronica producers as diverse as Diplo and Trentemoller. There will be an upcoming episode of The Pedal Studio that deals with exactly how I got these sounds programmed, but for now, this is what I'm doing with them to integrate them into my setup, and make them work in a live situation. Use the discount code JANEKSENTME20 and get $20 off your purchase of the Teletronix DI: https://www.teletronix.co/ Take your transcription to the next level by checking out the Transcription Vault at Janek's Bass Studio: https://www.janeksbassstudio.com/courses/the-transcription-vault Sign the mailing list and be the first to know: http://eepurl.com/dCdyHz And check out all the books we have on jazz vocabulary, chordal harmony, and bass playing at the store: https://store.janekgwizdala.com/

When it comes to playing music with Benny Greb, I have come to expect the unexpected. He is a true improvisor behind the drums, and is a rare thing in today's fast past and internet driven music industry: He's a musician who just happens to be a drummer. More concerned with the collective live experience than he is with flashy licks, and clicks and views, he is a musical force with whom you can build something original every time you step onstage together. I've had the pleasure of traveling to far flung corners of the world with his trio "Moving Parts", and have learnt a lot from both my time on the road with Benny, and my time spent hanging out and simply talking about life, and about music. He is one of my favorite musicians period, as well as being a pioneer of sound and time when it comes to the drum set. We talk about tuning for sound and not for feel, ghost busters, how to practice, and tons more in this interview that could easily have been three times as long.

Repetition is key when learning new material, and this is exactly how I work on it. 

I'm working on an incredible Adam Rogers solo from a Michael Brecker quartet concert in London from 2000. I'm breaking down a bunch of things in the solo, and talking about why I think transcription is perhaps the most important learning tool available to you when it comes to learning jazz vocabulary. 

The mighty force of Swedish bass, Henrik Linder, joins me for an awesome interview. We talk about practicing, playing live, Dirty Loops new album, effects programming, and what it's like to be the bass player in one of the most well known modern fusion trios. 

After warming up on a minor blues for a little while, I dive into triads on the minor melodic scale, and work them into my practice routine to increase fluidity up and down the neck. 

I think the ideal way to practice bass groove is with other musicians, and preferably in a live situation. But when you don't have the luxury, and lets face most of us don't most of the time, there are many other options that can really enhance your playing. I'm working with some drum grooves by Nate Smith from the LoopLoft today, mixed in with a little keyboard from the great Larry Goldings. I do this way more than makes it onto the internet, and I'm going to make a conscious effort to do more of it in the podcast from now on.

In a special extended episode of the podcast, this is from a live streaming masterclass I gave based around my Chordal Harmony book. Questions were coming in live via YouTube, and Chelsea was moderating them. Enjoy!

Gary Willis was one of my musical idols as a young bass player, and remains so to this day. Some of my earliest memories of seeing musician live, and it having a life long effect on me, involved Gary on bass. A true pioneer of not just the electric bass, but more importantly of music, he is a shining example of originality, of humility, of calmness, and of being able to melt your face off at a show with his groove, having made you cry with a melody not 30 seconds before. 

One of my favorite bass players, my great friend, and casually the owner of The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, John Davis Ladies and Gentlemen! We chat via video call (including a few seconds of dropped audio where I stopped recording...) as John is the middle of mixing a new record for John Patitucci, who calls to check on the mixes half way through our interview. 

This is the kind of thing I'm looking to get out of my routine when I literally only have 20 minutes to practice. It's not always the same, this is an example of what it was today. 

I'm playing almost all of today's episode on the CNC prototype of Henrik Linder's signature 4-string by Mattisson Basses. This is fast becoming one of my favorite instruments, and I managed to find a ton of inspiration for today's practice session as a result.  

Sometimes you just don't feel as fluid or as consistent as normal. Today is one of those days. I cycle through a bunch of different ideas before calling it a day. I'm not sure if I was successful, but I did at least spend focussed, and meaningful time with the instrument, and for that I'm happy.