Archive for July, 2009

ISB Awards 2009

Published on July 31, 2009 in News. 0 Comments

Every two years, the International Society of Bassists gives its Distinguished Achievement Award, the Society’s highest honor, to a bassist who has demonstrated and attained the highest level of excellence, and whose career has had significant influence on the worldwide double bass community. The 2009 Distinguished Achievement Award honoree is jazz legend Ron Carter.
Mr. Carter received a rousing standing ovation by the audience and an etched granite memento of the occasion during a surprise presentation at the close of his headlining concert with guitarist Russell Malone at the recent ISB convention at Penn State University.

In addition, the ISB also gives a number of Special Recognition Awards, presented biennially to recognize those who has contributed their special talents, knowledge and support to furthering ISB ideals. 2009 recipients include:

Composition - Peter Askim
Lutherie - Michael Krahmer (one of the Pöllmann Bros.)
Scholarship - John Goldsby
Teaching - Francois Rabbath
Solo Performance - Renaud Garcia Fons
Jazz Performance - Rufus Reid
Orchestral Performance - Klaus Stoll
Historically Informed Performance - Rob Nairn
Young Bassists Ambassador - Cathy Elliot
Special Merit - L’Orchestre de Contrabasses
Friend of the Bass - Sue Haug, Director of the Penn State School of Music
Friend of the Bass - Barbara Korner, Dean of the Penn State College of Arts and Architecture
Friend of the Bass - Russell Bloom, Assistant to thFriend of the Bass - Pasquerilla Spiritual Center

Jade Visions: Book on Scott La Faro

Published on July 28, 2009 in News. 0 Comments

Jade visionsHelene LaFaro Fernandez, younger sister of the great double bassist innovator Scott La Faro, has published  a biography of his brother. Scott died at the age of 26 in 1961, just two weeks after some of the most famous trio recordings in jazz, the Village Vanguard sessions produced by Orrin Keepnews (= “RE:
Person I Knew”) with Bill Evans and Paul Motian.

I’ve got my copy of this book last weekend – highly recommended!

Amazon Affiliate-link: Jade Visions: The Life and Music of Scott LaFaro

Phil Palombi has recently published a book with transkriptions of Scott la Faro’s solos:  www.philpalombi.com/lafaro

The Art of Slap Bass

Published on July 27, 2009 in Link Tip, New Release and video. 0 Comments

Bassist Djordje Stijepovic has recently launched a new double bass website: The Art of Slap Bass. This site features news, interviews, articles and a forum about slapping the bass. The interview #1 features French bassplayer Nicholas Dubouchet, who has published a instructional DVD for Slap Bass Playing.