Bass Videos
Latest Bass Music Video Finds: Reggae and Dub Bass Part II: Bass Videos With Mark von Bergen
Meet Mark von Bergen –
Part II of our series on great reggae bassists focuses on dub music. Dub was pioneered in the early 1970s in Jamaica by studio engineers and producers such as King Tubby, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Errol T. Thompson. Today, elements of dub have found their way into hip hop, techno, house, jungle, ambient, and trip-hop, and form an important part of the remix culture of today’s pop music. For an excellent treatment of this area, read Michael Veal’s “Dub: Soundscapes & Shattered Songs in Jamaican Reggae” (Wesleyan University Press, 2007).
Since dub music traditionally involved the isolation of bass and drums on vocal reggae songs, important reggae bassists – including those featured in the last installment – have been featured prominently in dub music, most notably perhaps Robbie Shakespeare.
We will focus here on bassists who are important figures in what can be referred to as “designer dub” – music that is conceived as dub in the first instance instead of as a “version” of a recorded song. The most important producers of this style of dub include Adrian Sherwood, Neil (the “Mad Professor”) Fraser, and Dennis Bovell, all from Britain, and Bill Laswell from the United States. Among the bassists who are major figures in this genre are Bovell, Laswell, and Jah Wobble (also from Britain).
Dennis Bovell
Multi-instrumentalist Dennis “Blackbeard” Bovell backed touring Jamaican artists on their visits to London in the 1970s. He later formed the Dub Band, which backed dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, and has worked with artists as diverse as the Slits, the Thompson Twins, and Fela Kuti. He is best known for his work in reggae and his pioneering dub albums. Here is short clip of Bovell performing with the Dub Band at the Boss Sounds Reggae Festival in Newcastle in November 2006.
Bill Laswell
Bassist Bill Laswell’s major commercial breakthrough came in 1983 on Herbie Hancock’s electro-funk-jazz hit, “Rockit.” Many of his projects since then have been heavily dub-influenced, from his controversial “Dreams of Freedom,” an ambient dub remix of Bob Marley songs, to many “designer dub” projects under his own name. Laswell is shown here with one of the many incarnations of his group Material at Tokyo Jazz in 2005.
Jah Wobble
Jah Wobble, formerly of Public Image Limited, today owns and operates his own record company, appropriately named 30 Hertz Records, and recently has released projects such as Molam Dub and Chinese Dub, in which he has combined the music of Thailand and China with dub reggae with critically acclaimed results. His main axe is an Ovation electric four-string, year unknown, so gearheads be forewarned. Here, Jah Wobble performs with his group Invaders of the Heart in 1998; Wobble’s bass starts at around 3:30, but don’t skip the percussion extravaganza that leads up to that point.
Back in May 2021, I had the pleasure of speaking with a talented nine-year-old bassist named Ellen Alaverdyan, who was just beginning to make waves in the music world (View Interview). Even then, her passion, dedication, and remarkable talent hinted at a bright future ahead.
Today, I’m excited to welcome Ellen back, along with her father, professional guitarist Hovak Alaverdyan, following the release of Take Off, the debut album from Ellen’s band, Jaminai.
Join me as we discuss the making of this exciting new project, explore how Ellen developed her now-signature bass tone and style, and learn what lies ahead for this young musician whose career continues to soar.
Please welcome Ellen and Hovak Alaverdyan!
Album cover artwork, Ellen Alaverdyan
Header Photo, Hovak Alaverdyan
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Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) announces the James Jamerson 1962 Precision Bass®, an era-correct tribute to the bass that was nearly as iconic as the Motown monolith who used it to redefine what the low end was capable of.
“From R&B, to Rock, to Jazz, Country, and Reggae music… everyone owes a debt to James Jamerson. What he did on the 1962 P Bass has never been done. I am so honored to acknowledge that Fender changed everything with the 1962 Precision Bass,” said Raphael Saadiq.
James Jamerson was a phenom in the studio and the stage all throughout the 60s and 70s but more importantly, he drew the blueprint for how a bass part should feel, groove and swagger in order to turn a song into a hit and thereby inspired generations of players to come. Such an indelible impact is impossible without the proper tools, and as far as Jamerson was concerned, none did the job quite like his trusty P Bass®. Its effortless playability, sleek design and undeniable low-end response was and is the path of least resistance between a killer idea and a polished, pitch-perfect bassline that can tie an entire song together. This signature instrument harnesses the magic of the Jamerson’s own Precision Bass and offers it to players everywhere, giving them the opportunity to develop a style and tone that is entirely their own.
Born in 1936, Jamerson was introduced to live music through his grandmother and aunt, both church performers. Captivated by the energy of gospel and jazz, he taught himself piano and trombone before moving to Detroit at 18, where the downtown club scene pulled him toward the upright bass. After graduating high school, he began touring with local groups and by 1959 had become a fixture at Hitsville U.S.A., the recording studio that birthed Motown. It was there that Jamerson truly came into his own, laying down bass tracks for Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, John Lee Hooker and countless others, recordings now regarded as the foundation of modern electric bass playing. As a As a cornerstone of the Funk Brothers and throughout this storied catalog, one thing remains constant – the warm, polished sound of the Fender P Bass that would come to inspire greats like Geddy Lee, Pino Palladino, John Entwistle, Raphael Saadiq, Bootsy Collins, Leland Sklar, Nate Mendel, Geezer Butler, Tal Wilkenfeld, Freddie Washington, Bob Glaub, Matt Freeman, and countless musicians across the globe to pick up a bass and embark on their own journey towards greatness.
“I recalled saying to James as a teenager that he would be great one day! I am excited and happy those words have become a reality. James has received many awards, but the “P-Bass” is a tangible one. I hope you feel the funk and let the music play on!” said Annie Jamerson. “Thank you Fender, from my family and I, You Rock!”
The James Jamerson 1962 Precision Bass offers players all of the dynamic response, low-end presence and stylish looks that helped elevate Jamerson to the top of his craft. This era-accurate instrument comes equipped with a custom split single-coil pickup that provides enough lush, low-end for any band but offers enough definition and punch so that fills, runs and embellishments won’t go unnoticed. The Heirloom sunburst nitro cellulose lacquer finish oozes with classic elegance and will patina gorgeously over time just like the real thing. A classic “C” shape neck, slab rosewood fingerboard, and chrome bridge and pickup cover all ensure that this bass plays, feels and looks like something that you would find in the live room at Hitsville circa 1963. This signature instrument gives players the unique opportunity to hold an integral piece of bass history in their hands and find the sound that speaks to them, just as Jamerson himself did nearly seventy years ago.
“Jamerson is the reason the bass is what it is today. His 1962 Precision Bass wasn’t just an instrument; it was the heartbeat of an era,” said Justin Norvell, Chief Product Officer, Fender Guitars. “As we continue celebrating 75 years of the P Bass, we wanted every player, from bedroom musicians to touring professionals, to be able to hold a piece of that legacy in their hands. From the Heirloom Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish to the custom James Jamerson ’62 Precision Bass pickup, every detail was obsessed over to put that same magic in your hands. This recreation is our love letter to the man who made the groove non-negotiable.”
For more information, visit fender.com/products/james-jamerson-1962-precision-bass
For more than six decades, the sound of the upright bass in modern jazz has carried the unmistakable authority, elegance, and intelligence of Ron Carter.
Recognized as the most recorded jazz bassist in history, Maestro Carter’s tone has become part of the very architecture of the genre.
From shaping the harmonic foundation behind countless landmark sessions to collaborating with many of the greatest jazz artists of our time, his artistry has both defined and expanded what the bass can be.
But beyond the staggering discography lies something even more enduring: dedication.
Maestro Carter has never stopped learning, never stopped refining, and never stopped listening. His commitment to excellence extends well beyond the stage and studio. As an educator and mentor, he has invested deeply in the next generation of bassists, setting a living example of discipline, curiosity, and musical integrity.
Now, in yet another inspired chapter of his extraordinary career, Maestro Carter joins forces with renowned choirmaster Ricky Dillard for a powerful gospel–jazz collaboration, Sweet Sweet Spirit, released February 6, 2026.
This project beautifully bridges sanctified soul and sophisticated swing, blending Carter’s masterful touch with Dillard’s uplifting choral brilliance.
The result is music that feels both reverent and rhythmically alive, deeply rooted, yet refreshingly expansive.
It is truly an honor to share this conversation with a living legend whose work continues to inspire musicians across genres and generations.
Here is Maestro Ron Carter.
Photo, Paul Rivera
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This month, we discuss right-hand techniques to minimize injury while playing bass.
Dr. Randall Kertz is the author of The Bassist’s Complete Guide to Injury Management, Prevention and Better Health. Click here to get your copy today!
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Adam Russell, bassist for Story of the Year, hasn’t slowed down for a second.
With the band’s latest album A.R.S.O.N. dropping on February 13, 2026, they’ve not only delivered new music but also pushed their creativity further through a series of visually striking videos, several of which Adam himself co-directed and edited.
In this interview, we dive into the making of the new record, explore how Adam shapes his signature bass sound, and get the inside scoop on the band’s upcoming Camp Screamo Tour with Silverstein and Origami Angel.
Here’s Adam Russell.
Photo: Ryan Stephens
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Interview With Bassist Ellen Alaverdyan and Guitarist Hovak Alaverdyan
Gear News: Fender Honors James Jamerson with a 1962 Precision Bass
Artist Update With The Revivalists’ Bassist George Gekas
Maestro Ron Carter, Sharing the Spirit – June/July 2026 Issue
New Music: Danielle Nicole, Tug Of War
Right Hand Technique Strategies with Dr. Randy Kertz
May 4 Edition – This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
May 11 Edition – This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
May 18 Edition – This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram