Cover
Bass Musician Magazine: Feb/Mar 2009 Issue Featuring Adam Nitti
Jake: Speaking about your personal playing, you employ quite a few techniques within your style. When you’re in your sideman role for someone, do you have to be careful with that, or do you feel as of late you’re being hired for “your” voice?
Adam: Honestly, in the sideman role, I play a different person than I am when I do my records. I learned the hard way many years ago that artists who hire you to play their music pretty much know what they want out of you. If you’re coming in on songs that have been previously recorded, or you can see that a career has already been laid out for this particular artist for many years, they don’t necessarily want you to come in and be what I would call a stylist. I reserve that type of playing and experimentation for my own projects, or instrumental projects where I know the artists might want that from me. Since moving to Nashville five years ago, I really got more serious about the idea of what can I do to provide them the best customer service as a bass player, so to speak. I know it sounds cliché, but if you want to be a studio player and a touring sideman, you want to be well rounded, and you do have to be a bit of a chameleon. And that covers everything from the phrasing you employ in you’re playing, to the type of bass you’re playing, or the tone you might be going for that will be compatible with the type of environment you’ve been hired to play in. All of those things are really important. The type of playing that someone might hear on my solo releases is completely different from what I do as a sideman or studio player, and the honest truth is, that’s where the majority of my income comes from. I hope that answers the question.
Jake: I’m going to jump to a question I was going to ask a little bit later. It seems to be more difficult for solo artists like yourself in these times to keep the focus on “being” a solo artist—-would you agree?
Adam: You know, for me there’s a new existence at play, and the only reason I state it like that is because I’m very protective of whatever the musical scenario is that I’m working within. I try my absolute best to satisfy that scenario. You’ve heard it said a million times before, play for the song, or play for the band, don’t just play for yourself. As much as I love doing studio work for other people, and as much as I love doing more experimental music or artsy type stuff on my own, I don’t think I’d be happy doing just one thing. I really do enjoy the variety that I’m fortunate enough to be a part of in my career, and I hope it can stay that way. But the best-case scenario is to flourish in every aspect of your career. That’s the model of aspiration for me. It’s a bit of a roller-coaster ride because the success you enjoy in certain aspects of your career will ebb and flow and change with the seasons, and you have to kind of roll with it.
Jake: Let’s talk about the music “business” for a bit which we both know has gone through some serious changes in the last decade or so. With the times as they are, what might you be telling a young enthusiastic new player to focus on in an effort to help him have an idea on how to approach being able to sustain a career in the business at this point in time?
Adam: For most people, if you want to be able to sustain a career, I think you have to be able to operate effectively in a variety of different musical situations, and what I would tell most players coming up is that if they want to make a living in music, don’t just have your heart and your mind set on quote unquote making it in a band, with huge mainstream success, or making it as a solo player enjoying media coverage and accolades from your peers. That does happen, but the majority of the players out there that are making a living are employed doing several different types of things. I guess I’m kind of the old fashioned in this way, I feel you have to take on a lot of things seriously, and really work on a lot of different things as a player as you’re coming up. One of those things would obviously be your facility as a player, the quality of how you play. And another thing I believe is important is your tone.
Bass Videos
Brian Bromberg, Paying Tribute to Scott LaFaro – April 2024
Brian Bromberg, Paying Tribute to Scott LaFaro, April 2024…
Brian Bromberg is one heavy-hitting bass player and I am in awe of his talent as one of the few individuals who is equally proficient on electric and upright bass.
You might remember our conversation back in 2018 when he released his powerhouse Funk album. Brian’s “A Little Driving Music” album is a staple on all our road trips and his Jaco and Jimi Hendrix tribute albums are mind-blowing… and I could go on and on.
Now, Brian has taken on the arduous task of producing an album paying tribute to the late, great, Scott LaFaro. He teamed up with pianist Tom Zink and drummer Charles Ruggiero and Brian delivers a commanding performance on upright. The entire album is a masterpiece and a real treat to listen to track after track.
Join us as Brian shares the details behind this project and more.
Photo, Michel Bocandé
Featured Videos
Visit Online
brianbromberg.net
FB @BrianBrombergBassist
YouTube
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Leland Sklar, Over Half a Century of Bass, March 2024
We all have enjoyed Leland Sklar’s Bass lines for over half a century.
You might remember that we had him on our cover back in 2017 and did an update when he launched his book “Everybody Loves Me” in 2020. It was exciting to hear that The Immediate Family had got back together in the studio to work on their own music in 2019 and are now up to two albums.
Just last December, Magnolia Pictures released a documentary titled “Immediate Family” where we got a behind-the-scenes look at the massive contributions Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Ross Kunckle, Leland Sklar and Steve Postell have made in countless songs that are the very essence of our daily personal musical soundtracks. Seeing the astronomical roster of performers they have supported over many years is very eye-opening. It is a must-see for any music lover!
Now, I am thrilled to bring you a special chat with Leland Sklar where we go more in-depth into the bass side of his musical journey.
Photos: Header, Rob Shanahan – Cover Photo, Jay Gilbert/Chris Schmitt
Featured Videos:
Skin In the Game – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhbnzIrdjJ8
from new album Skin In The Game
The Toughest Girl In Town – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVQLZIRfLjU
from new album Skin In The Game
Fair Warning – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DN18DYwLsU –
from the self-titled album The Immediate Family
Visit Online
www.immediatefamilyband.com/
www.facebook.com/TheImmedFamily
www.instagram.com/theimmedfamily/
Bass Videos
Ricky Phillips, STYX Bass And More – February 2024
Ricky Phillips, STYX Bass And More…
I have always been a huge Styx fan. Their music kept me awake during countless nights studying and gave my imagination a place to escape when I had a moment to take a break.
I had the immense opportunity to chat with STYX bassist Ricky Phillips for our August Cover in 2017 and follow his projects as time passed. Now, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to catch up with Ricky as he has been super-busy over the past six years.
Join me as we take a deep dive into the band’s most recent album “Crash the Crown” and EP “The Same Stardust”. Ricky shares some insights into the herculean team effort behind the scenes and the musical process that keeps them ever so busy and how he has updated his sound.
Without further ado… Here is Ricky Phillips!
Photo: Jason Powell
Featured Videos:
“Crash of the Crown” lyric video
“Reveries” lyric video
“Save Us From Ourselves” lyric video
“Sound the Alarm” lyric video
“Too Much Time On My Hands” Zoom video 2020
Visit online:
www.Styxworld.com
FB & IG @styxtheband
Bass Videos
Jeff Pilson, Foreigner Low End – January 2024
Jeff Pilson, Foreigner Low End – January 2024…
Those of us who were around back in the 70’s remember how certain songs on the radio resonated with us. It turns out that many of these iconic melodies came from Foreigner and they were part of our personal soundtracks!
After all these years, the band is going as strong as ever with Jeff Pilson firing away on bass midstream into a 2-year farewell tour.
I am excited to be able to bring you all the details about Jeff’s musical Journey, the farewell tour in progress, how he gets his sound and his plans for the future.
Cover Photo: Krishta Abruzziini / Video Photos: Krishta Abruzzini, Karsten Staiger, Gina Hyams
Featured Videos
For more news on FOREIGNER and upcoming Farewell Tour dates, fans can visit:
foreigneronline.com
facebook.com/Foreigner
twitter.com/ForeignerMusic
instagram.com/foreignerlive
youtube.com/user/FWebTeam
Also on FB @officialjeffpilson
Bass Videos
Rodney O’Quinn, Rockin’ Hard Through the Years – December 2023
Interview With Foghat Bassist Rodney O’Quinn…
Many rock fans have enjoyed music by Foghat, who originally formed in London back in 1971.
Over the many decades of playing, the band members have changed, leaving behind only Roger Earl as the only original member. Bassist Rodney O’Quinn left the Pat Travers Band and joined the group in 2015 and has been laying down the low end for this iconic quartet keeping the Foghat legacy alive. With a new album titled “Sonic Mojo” which dropped on November 10th, the band is as busy as ever and there is lots of very tasty music to come.
Join me as we learn of Rodney O’Quinn’s musical journey, how he gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photos:
Cover, Jake Coughlin
Video Thumbnail, Tom Apathy
Photos used in the video: Kerry Quinn, Chuck Lanza, Kim Granger, Kenneth Strohm, Jake Coughlin, Jay Jylika
Featured Videos:
1st Single from Sonic Mojo – Official “Drivin’ On”
2nd Single from Sonic Mojo – “She’s a Little Bit of Everything Official Video
“Road Fever”- California Mid State Fair – Paso Robles, CA – 7-27-22
“Stone Blue” – Rodney O’Quinn Bass/Lead Vocals – Don Odell’s Legends – Woonsocket, R.I – 10/15/22 – The Stadium Theater
The Earl’s Court – Season 2, Episode 7: Funny Guys
“I Just Want to Make Love to You” – CasinoRama – 6-9-23
FOGHAT “Somebody’s Been Sleepin’ in My Bed” – Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT – 1/28/22
“I Just Want to Make Love to You” – California Mid State Fair – Paso Robles, CA – 7-27-22
Visit Online:
www.foghat.com
www.facebook.com/Foghat
www.twitter.com/FOGHAT
www.instagram.com/foghat_official
www.youtube.com/user/FOGHATMUSIC
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
New Gear: Esopus Guitars Launches New Acoustic/Electric Bass
Debut Album: Nate Sabat, Bass Fiddler
