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Reggie Washington, Bass Musician Magazine Q&A

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Bassist Reggie WashingtonBass Musician Magazine Q&A with Bassist Reggie Washington 

Name:
Reggie Washington

Born In What City:
New York City 

Current Band(s) I Play With: 
Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Liz McComb, Poogie Bell, Malcolm Braff, Hervé Samb, Uri Caine, Fabrice Alleman, Médéric Collignon

Former Bands I Have Played With:
Chico Hamilton & Euphoria, Lester Bowie Mini-Fantasia, Mike Mainieri & Steps Ahead, Steve Coleman & 5 Elements, Branford Marsalis & Buckshot LeFonque, Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor, Jean Paul Bourelly, Don Byron, Screaming Headless Torsos, Meshell Ndegeocello, World Saxophone Quartet, Cassandra Wilson, Ute Lemper, B-52s, Chris Joris & Bob Stewart.

CD’s I’ve Released/ Been a Part Of:
As a leader;  “A Lot of Love; LIVE!” (2006) & “FREEDOM” (2012) both on Jammin’ colorS Label.  To date I’ve recorded on close to 70 CD’s.    

Describe The Way You Play Bass:
I play bass with a purpose; I play for the good of the music. Whatever it needs, I give.  I listen… it tells me what’s needed…& I put FATT BASS on it. Simple.

What Made Me Decide to Play Bass: 
Someone else decided for me! Thank the Most High for conductor Anthony Diaz!!  He took me out of the cello section my freshman year in high school (’76) “just for a few months” to help the bass section & I never went back!  Just after that fateful day, my brother jazz drummer/historian Kenny (Washington) started to bring a young Marcus Miller to our house to learn about jazz on the weekends. I would sit around & listen to the records being played & mess around on Marcus’ Jazz bass.  Also two good friends from my neighborhood (Staten Island), Dave Inniss & Herman Hill gave me the opportunity to play their basses until my Mom got me one!

Musical Influences:
That’s hard to say since there have been so many influences.  First & foremost it’s been my father (Charles) & my brother Kenny. EVERYDAY music was being played in my house!!  …Jazz, classical, gospel, R&B, Latin, samba, etc.

In the 60’s & 70’s there was a lot of music happening!  We had a HUGE record collection.  We also had great musicians coming to our house. My brother was a gifted young drummer & guys like Jimmy Owens, Reggie Workman, Dizzy Gillespie, Rudy Collins & Jimmy Knepper were coming to our house to sit, talk music & listen!  It was an experience that helped make me who/what I am today.  The older musicians nurtured my brother & me at the time.  They saw something in us I guess & they instilled in us the desire to pass the knowledge on to the next generation of young players.  I want to give back what was given to me.  From the beginning of my professional career, I’ve been influenced by everyone I’ve played with!  For me, that’s how you grow.  Folks you play with don’t have to be good for you to learn from them… but it helps if they are good!

Favorite Musical Styles:
All styles.  Music is either GOOD or BAD; I can appreciate whatever I hear.

My Bass(es):
I play Phifer Designs 4-string basses.  My Relationship with luthier Woody Phifer started 30 years ago this June.  I think it’s important if you plan to do this thing we call Music; you might as well make the journey comfortable.  That starts with your instrument.

Woody took the time to explain what it was all about, plus I was eager to listen.  I explained what I was hearing in my head & he’d find that sound in the bass that I had (’77 Blonde Fender Jazz Bass).  He made me a Woody bass when I couldn’t modify my Jazz anymore.  He’s the only guy I go to.  I know what I’m getting every time I go to him, superior craftsmanship  & a little extra! Woody knows what I want to sound like & he runs with it.  That’s what 30 years of loyalty will get you.

My acoustic bass is an old Tyrolean flatback bass. I like just a DPA or AMT clip-on mic.  I use a David Gage pick-up & a BOSS DI-1 direct box if things get loud.  My strings are old (Thomastik); but they sound good.

My Amps and Other Gear:
Markbass amps. I use a Little Mark Tube 800 with a New York 804 cabinet when I’m doubling on acoustic & electric and a MoMark 800-SJ (Sweet Jesus) amp with two 104HR cabinets for total electric gigs.  I use Dean Markley Blue Steel strings (.045-.105), Essential Sound Products MusicCord-PRO (killer!), George L’s & Prolink/Monster Cables.  As far as outboard boxes, I have an Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron, an old BOSS Octaver, some very cool Markbass pedals (Stereo Chorus/Flanger & Bass Synthesizer) and a Big Muff!  I love the pure sound of my bass so much that I only use them in the studio.  

Endorsed By: 
Phifer Guitar Designs, Markbass Amps, Gruv Gear, Essential Sound Products, Dean Markley Strings & iGig cases.

Best Bass Advice You Ever Received:
“A pork chop (electric bass) is different than a dog house (acoustic bass); so play them that way!” Bassist Bob Crenshaw

One Piece Of Advice For Other Bassists:
Listen & learn before you play… relax & have fun.  

Favorite Quote or Life Philosophy: 
“The only way we can really achieve FREEDOM; is to somehow conquer the fear of death. For if a man has not discovered something that he will die for; he isn’t fit to live.”  Dr. Martin Luther King

Most Amazing Gig so Far:
That’s difficult.  I’ve had many amazing gigs playing with 5 Elements, Buckshot LeFonque, RH Factor & many others performing around the World!  I remember one hit playing with Meshell (Ndegeocello) in New York City. The club was packed & when she spoke you could hear a “mouse piss on cotton in the corner!” The vibe was so intense! She has such a great on-stage energy, not to mention being a funky bassist!  But the most fulfilling for me was the first concert of my trio tour with Ravi Coltrane & Gene Lake @ Joe Zawinul’s Birdland in Vienna! Goose pimples!!

Two nights of that tour can be heard on my 1st CD “A Lot of Love; LIVE!”

Dream Gig: 
The one I have now; my trio with Jef Lee Johnson & Gene Lake!  Another dream gig I’d like is doing 2 bass with Marcus (Miller) & in trio or quartet. I was just talking to him about it in Cape Town, South Africa. For recording, I like the sound of cello (my 1st instrument) & bass clarinet (clarinet is his 1st instrument) on melody lines.

Most Embarrassing Moment on Stage: 
I had an embarrassing moment in Amsterdam a good minute ago on-tour with Roy Hargrove @ Club Paradiso.  I got a little TOO festive before the concert & began trying to get experimental with the Blues. Let’s just say it was a BAD choice!

*Always remember! If you’re going to play the blues… PLAY THE BLUES FOOL!

Favorite Tip to Share on Traveling With Your Bass: 
A few road managers I’ve worked with in the past have told me when approaching the airport gate; “Keep your d#ck off your shoulder & keep it low.”

Also, the word “bass” & “guitar” give different impressions on lower humans.

When asked what I play, I now answer “guitar” because the vocal inflection always goes up! When people say “bass” (a downward vocal inflection); people think low & big and it won’t fit in the overhead! “I’m sorry, you’ll have to check that bass sir!!”

What Would You Be Doing If You Weren’t A Musician: 
A chef with my own restaurant (cooking is a passion) or a comedian with my own club; I need someplace to tell my crazy stories!

The Question No One Ever Asks Me, But I Have Been Dying to Share: 
How do I do my hair?! The Wilkinson Titanium 4-blade razor. Also… what am I listening to right at the moment?!  Meshell Ndegeocello’s new CD “Weather”, Munir Hossn’s CD & Bobby Spark’s CD!!  Some Bob Marley classics (Family Man Barrett) are in the CD tower, Miles (Kinda Blue) & Rob Glasper’s new CD “Black Radio” & of course I have to listen to my “FREEDOM” CD.

What You Can Look Forward to From Me this Year:
Look forward to my “FREEDOM” CD releasing April 1st (Europe) & May 28th (U.S.A.) with a concert @ the Blue Note (NYC)!  It won’t be on any digital download engine like iTunes, CDBaby Amazon, etc. (legally) for the first year.  We (Jammin’ colorS) really want folks to get the physical CD!  Growing up reading liners notes about the musicians & the studio session, etc. gave me some insight regarding the album while listening to it all the way through!  There’s a story to my CD; not just 3 or 4 good tunes!  Pick it up on our website; www.jammincolors.com

I plan to do some workshops to give fellow low-end brethren & other musicians the  “Anatomy of My Groove” & “My Eternal Internal.”

Find Me Online: 

Website: www.jammincolors.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Reggbass?ref=ts

Bass Videos

Interview With K3 Sisters Band

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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

Follow Online:

k3sistersband.com/
TikTok
YouTube
Instagram
Facebook 

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Bass Videos

Interview With Bassist Danielle Nicole

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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.

Follow Online

daniellenicolemusic.com/
IG @daniellenicoleband
youtube.com/daniellenicoleband

Photo, Missy Faulkner

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Features

Bergantino Welcomes Karina Rykman to Their Family of Artists

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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/

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Bass Videos

Interview With Bassist Ciara Moser

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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.

Visit online:

www.ciara-moser.com 
IG @ moserciara
FB @ ciara.moser

Photos by Manuela Haeussler

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Bass Videos

Interview With Bassist Travis Book

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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

Visit Online:

www.thetravisbook.com
www.thestringdusters.com
FB @ TheTravisBook
IG @ travisbook

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