Features

Interview with Wayne Krantz

Published on February 8, 2015

Wayne Krantz should be a household name, not only among guitarists, but bassists as well.

The same method he has used with his book “An Improvisers OS” can be used with an instrument to open up your creativity. Wayne is getting ready to kick off a tour that you don’t want to miss. Check out is latest release “Good Piranha/Bad Piranha” featuring Keith Carlock, Tim Lefebvre, and Nate Wood

How are your teaching methods different than others, especially in the area of soloing?

Years ago I wrote a book, “An Improvisors OS”. It’s a method for exploring scales and chords in a creative way without relying on patterns and memory. I used that with students a lot. These days I’m into ear playing, so I try to encourage that.

For all bassists alike, current and aspiring, how can your methods for guitar be applied to bass?

Pretty straightforwardly. The role of bass is different than guitar, practically speaking, but in art, music is music.

Can you give us some insight on your latest release, where the inspiration comes from, and the other musicians involved?

It’s a live in the studio record with some creative editing. It’s what my 2 recent trios were up to lately. Cover songs as a jumping off point. The guys all thoroughly understand where I’m coming from so we can cover a lot of ground. It’s a nice ride, I think.

Who are some of your influences?

These days I listen to Blues, mostly. Old stuff. Nothing later than Hendrix, who’s been a revelation. In the old days it was California and English rock, then jazz guitarists, old and new.

Advice to bassists aspiring to become better rounded musicians?

Don’t get hung up in the bass-and-drum-club mentality. That’s an important connection but if it stops there it’s too limited for most modern stuff. Think globally within the band. Think compositionally, think of form. Don’t always sustain until the next note – rhythm and groove require rests, lots of them

To Stream a Preview of Good Piranha/Bad Piranha, visit:

label.abstractlogix.com/?p=1387

waynekrantz.com

Wayne Krantz Trio – Anthony Jackson (Bass), Keith Carlock (Drums)

Itinerary:

2015

Feb 11 The City Winery Nashville, TN

Feb 12 Smiths Olde Bar Atlanta, GA

Feb 13 Smokey Joes Cafe Charlotte, NC

Feb 15 Miraverse-Manifold Pittsboro, NC

Feb 18 Sellersville Theater Sellersville, PA

Feb 19 The Iridium Jazz Club New York, NY