Features
Unsung Heroes of Bass: Bob Bowen/Pete Coco
Sometimes those Unsung Heroes of Bass create new Heroes and extend their legacy through others. They find a way to inspire the masses not just though their playing but through their leadership, empowerment and love for what they do.
For these reasons, Bob Bowen is an Unsung Hero of Bass. It turns out Bob had a wonderful stage to perform on at NY’s Hofstra University where he led students to explore their potentials and find their true talents. He opened up their minds and their capabilities by exposing his students to a wide range of music; showed them how to allow their personality flow into their own style of playing and initiated his students to play and create music together in ways that were unique, meaningful and long lasting.
Bob, though his experiences teaching, playing and developing people helped create a music legacy through others who have taken his love of music and applied to their own mission for their lives. Once such person who has taken Bob’s legacy and made it his own is Pete Coco. (www.petecoco.net) Pete is an accomplished player, teacher and mentor to students. He and his brother created the acclaimed Music Academy of Garden City. He’s shared the stage or recorded with some of the best musicians in the world such as Jane Monheit, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Matt Wilson, Jon Faddis, Antonio Hart, and Tommy Emmanuel. And, he is one of the fortunate few to who plays a Mirabella Trap Door hollow body electric bass, in addition to his Kay upright and five string Fender Jazz bass.
Here is Pete’s Unsung Hero Story about Bob Bowen:
My unsung hero of the bass was all things to me: he was my mentor, teacher, my role model, and most importantly my friend.
I first met Bob Bowen while studying music at Hofstra University. Bob was my private instructor, and for three years he taught me with a passion and love for music that is still with me today. Although I can remember many stories of Bob’s nurturing spirit, consummate musicianship, and selflessness as a teacher and friend, there is one that sticks with me because it literally altered my future.
I was finishing up my degree and began to seriously consider attending grad school for jazz studies. I had a late night lesson with Bob, and as happened many times, Bob stayed afterwards to talk about life and my future as a musician. At the time, I was feeling very down about my playing (something all musicians can relate to) and I had almost decided to give up music completely. I related my feelings to Bob, and what he said to me changed the course of my life. He said very matter-of-factly, “Pete, you have what it takes to be a professional musician”
I guess it was such a powerful statement because I knew he really meant it. And I really believed him. In fact, I was so confident in Bob’s confidence in me that I decided to continue pursuing music as a career and have not looked back since. I can also say that I don’t know where or who I would be today if it were not for Bob’s influence.
Last year, Bob was taken from us. His death left a gaping hole in the hearts of all who knew him personally and professionally. To me, Bob represented (and still does) everything I aspire to be as a musician and person. He was the complete player, confident in any situation, whether playing rock, pop, funk, jazz or classical. He was equally skilled on electric and upright bass. He was so well rounded that he could connect with any variety of musicians across all genres – and gain the respect of them all. But more than all of this, Bob Bowen was a wonderful human being. His positive energy and love for music was almost contagious, and his generous spirit as a teacher and player was felt by all who had the fortune to know him.
Since Bob’s passing, I have made it my goal to be the type of person and musician Bob was. In fact, that had been my goal while I was still his student, but now I am even more determined to make him proud. And I know that Bob was and is proud of me, and the fact that he believed in me has made me confident that I can succeed in any musical endeavor I pursue.
Thanks for everything Bob. You are truly loved and sorely missed.
Pete
________
Thanks Pete for sharing how Bob Bowen made a difference in your life and how you are making a difference with those you connect with.
If you have a story about someone who made a difference in your Bass Life and is your Unsung Hero of Bass let me know… Please write in and let me know on the Bass Musician Magazine Community.
And here’s the secret again. You can keep reading the articles about the same players over and over again. You’ll keep getting the same highly marketed information from the major manufactures. So unless you speak up and keep your peers connected to what’s important to you about bass you’ll never really get the complete value and benefit from how YOU make our bass community something unique and compelling to us all.
I look forward to hearing your stories
Chris
Bass Videos
Interview With K3 Sisters Band
K3 Sisters Band Interview…
It is very rare when I talk to a band where all the members play bass. The K3 Sisters Band is a perfect example of a group where Kaylen, Kelsey and Kristen Kassab are all multi-instrumentalists and take turns playing bass.
Hailing from Texas, these three sisters have been playing music since they were very young and have amassed an amazing amount of original music, music videos, streaming concerts, podcasts, and content that has taken numerous social media platforms by storm. On TikTok alone, they have over 2.5 million followers and more than a billion views.
Join me as we hear the story of their musical journey, how they get their sound, and the fundamental principles behind these prolific musicians.
Here is the K3 Sisters Band!
Photo, Bruce Ray Productions
Featured Videos:
Follow Online:
k3sistersband.com/
TikTok
YouTube
Instagram
Facebook
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Danielle Nicole
Bassist Danielle Nicole…
Blues music has universal appeal. We all have our ups and downs and this particular musical genre often fits our reality. Just hearing that we are not alone makes us feel a bit better.
Danielle Nicole writes and sings the Blues. She does an amazing job at delivering both exquisite smoky vocals but plays just the right bass line to drive the tune home. Danielle recently released “The Love You Bleed” last January and will be touring the album this upcoming year.
Join me as we learn about Danielle’s musical journey, how she gets her sound, her plans for the future and more.
Featured Videos
Follow Online
daniellenicolemusic.com/
IG @daniellenicoleband
youtube.com/daniellenicoleband
Photo, Missy Faulkner
Features
Bergantino Welcomes Karina Rykman to Their Family of Artists
Interview with Karina Rykman…
Karina Rykman…The high-energy bassist discusses her path on bass, her upcoming tour, how she came to find Bergantino through another Bergantino artist, and more!
A lifelong Manhattanite diehard New Yorker, Bergantino welcomes new Artist Karina Rykman. Jim and Holly had the privilege of meeting Karina and her band in Boston to see her perform. She lights up a stage with her charismatic passion as a bass player and singer – a true powerhouse of joy and energy. On stage, she smiles from ear to ear, hopping, jumping, and dancing; the entire room overflowing with positivity! If you don’t know this titan of bass yet, you will soon enough. Karina’s JOYRIDE 2024 tour picks up this month with the debut of her new album. We had the opportunity to ask Karina some questions about her career so far.
You have quite the career that began at a very young age. You have so much going on!! Can you share some of your musical path highlights you are most proud of?
Oh man, thank you! What a long, strange trip it’s been. I’m proud of still being so absolutely enthralled by music after playing in a million bands and finally ending up at this current juncture: being able to make my own music and tour under my own name. It just seems completely surreal – every gig, every recording…I’m on cloud 9 being able to continue to do this, and we’re just getting started. I’m extremely proud of being so young and being able to learn so much from Marco Benevento, without whom I’d be absolutely nowhere. Being put up to a large task with enormous shoes to fill, and stepping in even though I barely knew what I was doing at the time. Every gig with Marco is extremely special to me.
Tell us about your new album release Joyride and your 2024 tour.
Joyride is my debut record! It came out in August 2023, and we’ve been touring behind it nonstop ever since. You only make your first record once, and I’m so proud of this one – it’s fun, searing, lush, with chantable choruses and, of course, incredibly thick bass and infectious grooves. It was produced by Phish’s Trey Anastasio, who also contributes guitar parts to 5 of the 9 tunes.
What makes the bass so special to you particularly, and how did you gravitate towards it?
There’s nothing quite like feeling the subs rumbling under your feet in a venue and being responsible for those sounds is thrilling. I played guitar first, at age 12, but essentially completely switched over to bass when I was 22 and got the gig playing bass with Marco Benevento. I haven’t looked back since, except for a few gigs on guitar here and there (notably in the house band on Late Night with Seth Meyers and on The Today Show backing up Julia Michaels).
People hate this question, but: If you were constructing your personal Bass Mt. Rushmore, who are the four players that would make the cut and why?
Geddy Lee, Cliff Burton, Bootsy Collins, Les Claypool. The list goes on and on, of course, but those four have imprinted their unique styles upon my brain since I was so young, and I’m perpetually learning from them – even in the case of the deceased Cliff (RIP), going back and watching Cliff ‘Em All videos is something I do all the time. Endlessly compelled by these four players and their original takes on the instrument.
How did you learn to play?
I never took lessons, but in middle school and high school, I just surrounded myself with equally music-obsessed people. All we did was play music and go and see live music, which is wildly accessible when you grow up in New York City. I had a really tight-knit crew of amazing players as my friends, and everyone would teach each other riffs and licks. I was fearless – playing with people much better than me and saying “yes” to every cool opportunity that came my way. I essentially learned from playing in a million bands and playing along to Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin records.
Are there any other instruments you play?
I started on guitar, and still love to write on guitar. I can get around on keyboards a bit, but you’d never hire me as a keyboardist. The same goes for drums – I LOVE playing drums but you’d never hire me as a drummer.
Describe your playing style(s), tone, strengths and/or areas that can be improved on the bass.
I play both with a pick and my fingers, depending on the specific needs of / vibe of the tune. I love playing fuzz bass and writing bombastic “lead bass” moments, which are a staple of my live show. I’d say I’m about the least “traditional” bassist in just about every way – which is both a strength and a weakness depending on how you frame it. I play what I hear, what I like, and I adhere to very few rules. I’ve always hated rules, and I didn’t start playing rock n roll to follow them.
How did you find Bergantino Audio Systems?
I’m pals with Mike Gordon, bassist of Phish, and his tech is named Ed Grasmeyer. Ed suggested he bring Mike’s Bergantino for me to try out at a show I was playing in Vermont, and I fell instantly in love.
You have been using the Bergantino Forté HP2 head. How have you been setting the controls on this and what changes to those settings might you make as you plug into your other individual instruments?
I love my Forté HP2! The versatility and headroom are incredible, and I’ve been having a lot of fun dialing it in at home. The real fun will begin this weekend when I take it out for 2.5 weeks of tour – dialing something in an apartment just isn’t the same as on a big stage with a PA and subs and all that good stuff. I like to roll my highs a bit and I keep “punch” on all the time. So far, it’s been a dream.
You are the inspiration behind Bergantino cab the new NXT410-C. Can you tell us more about this cab and your experience so far?
Firstly, I’m beyond touched to be the inspiration behind, well…anything! But this is truly insane, and such an honor. I love this cab. Not only is it light and extremely good-looking, it can handle all my loudest, most abrasive and obnoxious effects. My old amp didn’t come close, and could just fart out or I’d have to turn down to appease it. I’m a big fan of playing at earth-shattering volumes, so this is going to be a match made in heaven.
We all love your custom-made Goldie Hawn bass guitar! Can you share more with us about this bass design and why it is so special to you?
Thanks! That’s made by “Zeke Guitars” – it’s the second custom bass he’s made for me! He reached out in the summer of 2019 and asked what my dream bass would be, and I said it was basically my 1978 Fender P-Bass, but lighter, whiter, with Lindy Fralins, gold hardware, and shorter scale. And, well..he did exactly that! I love that bass so much. And the gold, which is referred to as Goldie Hawn, was born in December of 2022, and has the same specs. I just love it, it sounds amazing and looks, arguably, even better.
Jim and I were lucky to get to meet you in person when you came to Boston with the band. The members of the band are such a great group of people! Can you share more with all about the band and crew.
I’m so lucky to keep such incredible company. My bandmates, Adam November and Chris Corsico, are not only unbelievable musicians but also incredible humans. We just laugh and laugh, and we’re there for each other when the road gets tough or we’re exhausted or whatever life throws at us. It’s the joy of my life to get to tour the world with these guys. And the crew! That night was Connor Milton on sound and Nick Koski on lights – we have a rotating cast of people who play those roles based on availability, and everyone who works for us are absolute consummate professionals and the sweetest humans. They are my team of experts and I just adore them so much. Shout out to Zach Rosenberg, Jeff Volckhausen, Dylan Hinds, Dom Chang, for being the best rotating crew a gal could ask for!
What else do you do besides music?
Not much! I love going to the beach! I love eating dinner!
Because I am a foodie, I always ask people what their favorite food is!
Oysters, caviar, sushi. I’m a raw bar fanatic.
At a very young age, Karina is a diligent hard worker. She juggles many balls managing her business and is savvy beyond her years. We are very happy to be working with Karina and are excited for her continued success!
Follow Karina Rykman:
Instagram: @karinarykman
X (formerly Twitter): @KarinaRykman
Facebook @karinarykman/
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Ciara Moser
Bassist Ciara Moser…
Ciara and I sat down for this interview a few months after the launch of her debut album, “Blind. So what?”
Blind since birth, she is a powerhouse of talent; she is not only a professional bassist, but also composes music, and is a producer and educator. I am just blown away by her talent and perseverance.
Join me as we hear about Ciara’s musical journey, the details of her album, how she gets her sound, and her plans for the future.
Featured Videos
Visit online:
www.ciara-moser.com
IG @ moserciara
FB @ ciara.moser
Photos by Manuela Haeussler
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Travis Book
Interview With Bassist Travis Book…
Bluegrass music has had a very solid following over many years and I am always happy to hear from one of the pioneers in that genre.
Travis Book plays bass for the Grammy award-winning band “The Infamous Stringdusters” and has recently released his first solo album “Love and Other Strange Emotions”. As if he wasn’t busy enough, Travis also hosts a podcast, Plays a Jerry Garcia music show with Guitarist Andy Falco, and is constantly gigging locally in his neck of the woods.
Photo, Seyl Park
Featured Videos:
Visit Online:
www.thetravisbook.com
www.thestringdusters.com
FB @ TheTravisBook
IG @ travisbook
-
Bass Player Health22 hours ago
What is a Pinched Nerve? with Dr. Randy Kertz
-
Latest1 month ago
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
-
Latest2 months ago
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
-
Latest1 month ago
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
-
Latest2 months ago
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
-
Latest4 weeks ago
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
-
Latest3 weeks ago
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
-
Latest2 weeks ago
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram