March 16 Bass Picture of the Week

I came across this trading card of Scott LaFaro from the 1958 Monterey Jazz Festival. I'm curious if this was a series of cards. If anyone knows, please let me know.

March 9 Bass Photo of the Week

Here's a photo of Henry Lewis (1957, photo by Allan Grant). Lewis was a member of the L.A. Philharmonic, being the first black instrumentalist in a major orchestra. He founded the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in the late 1950's and became the conductor of the New Jersey Symphony in 1968.

March 2 Bass Picture of the Week

Ray Brown and Oscar Peterson in 1955.

Feb 23 Bass Picture of the Week

Here's a picture of Bobo the gorilla from 1953 (photo by Nat Farbman). Notice he's smashed just about everything EXCEPT the bass. 'Nuff said.

Feb 16 Bass Picture of the Week

The Life photo archive has some great photos of bassist. Here's one I find interesting. Its a photo taken by Carl Mydans in New York, 1958. The photo has taken at the Refuge Temple. I love the expression on the kids face.

My favorite Quote of January

Hone your talent and realize there is a place for you. Not everyone is a Quincy Jones, The Beatles, or a Bruce Springsteen, but if an artist like Tom Waites is a vocalist, then there is definitely room for you too. (Peter Spellman,"5 Essentials of Music Career Success," International Musician, January 2009)

Leading ther Band

So, for the first time, I've taken the lead on putting together a band to play a series of shows. I've always been a sideman, never really wanting to by in charge. Well, now I have been given a regular gig for a few months and needed to put together a band. I chose a couple of the best players I know and a few sets of material. I scheduled a couple of rehearsals and wrote out some charts.

In short: Man, what a lot of work. And playing a show as the leader, I never realized how much thought you should put into calling out songs to create a flow of music. Plus, singing and soloing as the leader created a whole new sense of anxiety.

My apologies to all those leaders who I may not have been up to par at their gigs. I get it now. I get it.