Bass Player News
Soundcheck Live Releases Multi-artist Cover of ‘Let It Be’ to Benefit MusiCares Relief Fund
With the support of the MusiCares Foundation, the team behind Soundcheck Live is bringing together 68 of the brightest stars in the music world to deliver a stirring performance of “Let It Be” for a good cause.
The performance will feature Avril Lavigne, Nuno Bettencourt, Orianthi, Phil X, Gary Cherone, and dUg Pinnick, as well as a long list of brilliant musicians, vocalists, and engineers who have performed and worked alongside the likes of Lady Gaga, Aretha Franklin, Ariana Grande, and many more.
BASS LINEUP INCLUDES:
dUg PINNICK – King’s X, KXM
STU HAMM – Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Caifanes
ASHLEY REEVE – Cher, Filter, Adam Lambert
MARTY O’BRIEN – Lita Ford, Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion
JERRY JEMMOTT – King Curtis, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King
DEREK FRANK – Shania Twain, Gwen Stefani
JOE PESSIA – Steelheart, Dramagods, Tantric
JENNIFER JO OBERLE – Five For Fighting, Vertical Horizon, Air Supply
With the song and video (available on May 12th on all digital streaming services and Soundcheck Live’s YouTube page), the musicians, vocalists, and engineers involved hope to raise money for music industry professionals impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as offer up inspiration at a time when the world needs it most.
Founded in 2016 by Avril Lavigne’s musical director, Steve Ferlazzo, Soundcheck Live is a monthly all-star jam featuring national/international recording artists, touring sideman and local L.A. entertainers. Founded for musicians and music lovers alike, the concept kicked off as a way for well-known performers and up-and-coming stars to showcase their skills and network with other artists.
When the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered all live music venues in California, including Soundcheck live’s home venue, Lucky Strike Live in Hollywood, CA, Ferlazzo wanted to bring together these artists to be a part of something larger than themselves and give back to the community.
He sought out the MusicCares Foundation for the benefit, as they had set up a relief fund specifically for musicians, engineers, producers, stagehands, and other industry professionals experiencing financial hardship.
“We chose ‘Let It Be’ as a song of hope in uncertain times.” Ferlazzo continues, “I like to think of this project as an entire three-hour Soundcheck Live show condensed into one five-minute song that will offer people some inspiration and help when they need it most.”
Fundraising efforts for donations as well as auction items by some of the more notable performers will be hosted through www.charitystars.com.
OTHER LET IT BE PERFORMER CREDITS
DRUMS:
GLEN SOBEL – Alice Cooper, Hollywood Vampires, Richie Sambora
MIKE MANGINI – Dream Theater, Extreme, Solo Artist
KEVIN “KFigg” FIGUEIREDO – Extreme, Dramagods
CHAD WRIGHT – Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, The Jacksons
CHRIS REEVE – Avril Lavigne, Tom Morello, Filter
MIKE BENNETT – Richie Kotzen, Hilary Duff, Steve Stevens
RANDY COOKE – Smash Mouth, Gone West, Dave Stewart
CHRISTIAN HOGAN – RZA, Rose’s Pawn Shop, Faulkner
PERCUSSION:
RODNEY HOWARD – Avril Lavigne, Gavin Degraw, Regina Spektor
RYAN BROWN – Dweezil Zappa
KEYS:
STEVE FERLAZZO – Avril Lavigne, Soundcheck Live, Dramagods
BRIAN LONDON – Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Rihanna
MICHAEL BLUESTEIN – Foreigner, Boz Scaggs
JAMES KING – Fitz and the Tantrums, Jeff Goldblum
KOREL TUNADOR – Rob Thomas, Katy Perry, Goo Goo Dolls
MIKE MANGAN – Big Organ Trio, Glenn Hughes
SVEN MARTIN – Jonathan Davis, t.A.T.u., Liz Phair
DAVE KERZNER – In Continuum, Sound of Contact
ROBBIE GENETT – Fuel, Everclear, Nick Lachey
ALEXANDER BURKE – Billy Ray Cyrus, Ben Lee, Jill Sobuel
GUITARS:
NUNO BETTENCOURT – Extreme, Generation Axe, Rihanna
PHIL X – Phil X, Phil X & The Drills, Bon Jovi
ORIANTHI – Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper, Solo Artist
STEVE FEKETE – America, Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne
JOE AUGELLO – Robin Thicke, Jennifer Hudson, Backstreet Boys
JOEY SYKES – The Babys, Honey River, Coward
FERNANDO PERDOMO – Echo In The Canyon, The Dirty Diamond, Dave Kerzner
BARRY POINTER – Hollywood Roses, Hillbilly Herald
LUIS GIL BETTENCOURT – Maria Bettencourt
DAVID IMMERMAN – Avril Lavigne, Goldfinger, Juliet Simms
AUGUST ZADRA – Dennis DeYoung & the Music of Styx, Waiting for Monday
DAN ELLIS – Avril Lavigne, Glassjaw, Fender Play
DEVIN BRONSON – Avril Lavigne, Sebastian Bach, David Cook
BACKGROUND VOCALS:
ANNETTE MARIE FRANK – Axs TV Worlds Greatest tribute bands, Soundcheck Live
LISA MARGAROLI – Lou Gramm, Linda Perry, Seal
ANGELA MICHAEL – Rod Stewart, Disney’s Kim Possible TV Show, Get Him To The Greek
FELICE HERNANDEZ – Oingo Boingo Former Members, Hilary Duff, Pitch Perfect 2
HOLLY BISAHA – The Babys, Stevie Wonder, Bang Tango
MARIA BETTENCOURT – Solo Artist
MARK LENNON – Venice, Roger Waters
STRINGS:
ELIZA JAMES – Burt Bacharach, Paul Anka, Quartet 405
DANICA PINNER – Avril Lavigne, Jonas Brothers, deadmau5
REBECCA SCHLAPPICH-CHARLES – Mariachi El Bronx, Mariachi Divas, Quartet405
RACHEL GRACE – Ariana Grande, Foo Fighters, Rhye
GINNY LUKE – Britney Spears, Shawn Mendes, Meat Loaf
KINGA BACIK – Eminem, Camilla Cabello, Foo Fighters
HORNS:
JON MANNESS – The Red Line Horns, Gloria Trevi, Alejandra Guzmán
ALEXANDER MATHIAS – Amy Winehouse, Gloria Trevi
VOCALISTS:
AVRIL LAVIGNE
NUNO BETTENCOURT – Extreme, Generation Axe, Rihanna
GARY CHERONE – Extreme, Hurtsmile
CARL RESTIVO – Tom Morello, Perry Farrell’s Satellite Party, Rihanna
JOHN BISAHA – The Babys, Raiding the Rock Vault, BISAHA
GABRIELA – Solo Artist
TOMMY DEMPSEY – Solo Artist
LEAH MARTIN-BROWN – Evol Walks
ENGINEERS:
MATTHEW KING ROSS, Audio Engineer: Eliza James -Violin
ADAM BARTOW – Audio Engineer: Tommy Dempsey – Vocals
MIXED BY:
PAUL HAGER
MASTERING BY:
MAOR APPELBAUM at Maor Appelbaum Mastering
(Yes, Faith No More, Meatloaf)
VIDEO EDITOR:
MIKE SAVAGE
Notes From An Artist Radio / Podcast hosts David C. Gross and Tomaso Semioli are letting the music do the talking! The two media personalities are releasing instrumental music that corresponds with works of art and film.
David C. Gross Presents Experiments in the Barn: A Fusion of Music and Experimental Film
Acclaimed bassist, composer, and music educator David C. Gross announces his latest 144 MUSIC project, Experiments in the Barn, an immersive exploration of sound and cinema. This unique series blends original music with experimental and silent films, creating a dialogue between visual imagery and auditory experience.
Experiments in the Barn invites audiences into a world where music and film intersect, challenging traditional storytelling and inspiring new ways to experience art. Drawing on decades of performance across jazz, rock, R&B, and avant-garde styles, Gross composes scores that amplify the emotional and narrative possibilities of the visual medium.
The series has been described as a meditative journey through soundscapes, a cinematic experience reimagined, and a testament to the power of music as a storytelling tool. Experiments in the Barn exemplifies Gross’s commitment to innovation, improvisation, and the transforma4ve poten4al of combining disciplines.
Tomaso Semioli Presents Ambient Sketches, Vol. 1 A Mélange of Music & NYC Art
On his decidedly D.I.Y. debut release, Tomaso Semioli fuses ambient, funk, dub, indie pop, and Nu Jazz with his MY #NYC photographic art collages throughout instrumental vignettes. Select tracks are available on Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, and most music streaming platforms.
Each song sketch/fragment complements a specific photographic art collage created by Tomaso Semioli for his #MY NYC collection. These collages are an inimitable kaleidoscopic interpretation of the way Tomaso experiences life in New York City!
The idea to create one-to-two-minute “mini operas” was inspired by Tomaso’s observation (and 4ming) of how long museum and gallery visitors actually gaze at artwork on average!
Ambient Sketches Video Playlist
PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
We’re thrilled to introduce VIBRATIONISTS, our exciting new band and upcoming album!
Suzy Starlite (bass, fife, piano, vocals)
Simon Campbell (guitars, vocals)
Dave Boyd (piano, bodhrán, percussion, vocals)
After three diverse studio albums as Starlite & Campbell, we felt the time was right to record an acoustic-based album, a long-held dream.
This journey began serendipitously when mutual friends connected us with Dave Boyd, a brilliant Northern Irish musician living surprisingly close by in Portugal. Our instant connection with Dave, a master of the traditional Irish bodhrán who also incorporates unique digital effects and a vast array of instruments, quickly evolved into forming a truly collaborative band—a first for us in a long time.
Our new sound, captured on the forthcoming VIBRATIONISTS album slated for early 2026, has grown far beyond our initial acoustic vision. We’ve embraced expansive soundscapes, integrating everything from Wurlitzer electric piano and synthesisers to drum machines and Moog Taurus bass pedals.
As songwriters who don’t stick to genres, we let each song guide us, resulting in a rich sonic tapestry of contemporary alt-folk, prog-rock, and blues. Our name, VIBRATIONISTS, reflects our belief that every atom vibrates, echoing the profound impact of sound in our world.
To give you a taste of our live sound and prepare for future tours, we’ve begun playing low-key warm-up shows and recording live video sessions at the Supertone Sonic Lab in Portugal.
Our first video, reimagining It Ain’t Right with Suzy on vocals, will be released soon on our new VIBRATIONISTS YouTube channel.
We invite you to explore more on our website, where you can sign up for updates!
Fused Frequencies is a bold new Bay Area jazz fusion collective—Mads Tolling, Paul Hanson, Frank Martin, Farida Nelson, and Deszon Claiborne—crafting original, genre-defying music through fearless interplay and masterful production. This dynamic ensemble blends jazz, rock, classical, and world music into a sound that’s cinematic, groove-rich, and built equally for the stage and the screen.
Each member of Fused Frequencies is a celebrated artist in their own right, with deep roots in innovation, education, and international performance. Together, they form a powerhouse of creative energy, performing all-original compositions that are as intricate as they are emotionally resonant.
At the heart of the band’s sound is the electric interplay between violinist Mads Tolling and Paul Hanson on electric bassoon and saxophones—a fierce yet lyrical dialogue that fuses classical precision with untamed sonic exploration. Frank Martin layers rich textures on piano and synthesizer, moving seamlessly from ambient landscapes to fiery solos. Farida Nelson anchors the low end with a blend of bass guitar and keytar, while Deszon Claiborne drives the rhythm with nuance, power, and versatility.
This is music without borders. Drawing from jazz, funk, classical, prog rock, and electronic traditions, Fused Frequencies creates a sound that defies genre yet feels instantly recognizable— bold, cinematic, and relentlessly inventive.
Whether reimagining familiar themes or presenting bold new originals, Fused Frequencies delivers an electrifying live experience. Every performance is a journey into the unexpected, fearless, genre-blurring, and unmistakably alive.
Photo courtesy of InnoTech Representatives / Photographer, Bob Hakins
Spector Bass Welcomes Megadeth Bassist James LoMenzo as Newest Brand Ambassador…
Spector Bass is proud to announce the addition of legendary bassist James LoMenzo of Megadeth to its esteemed roster of artists. With a career spanning decades and a reputation as one of rock and metal’s most formidable bassists, LoMenzo brings his signature style and energy to the Spector family.
“I’m immensely proud and excited to have the opportunity to be a new brand ambassador for one of my favorite basses of all time, Spector,” said LoMenzo. “I was first made aware of these amazing basses when I was starting out in the clubs in NYC in the early ’80s. They were THE top-end basses made in my hometown Brooklyn. Back then one hit song after another featuring the aggressive up-front sound of these basses played on the radio. Looking back, I can’t believe I never picked up one of these basses for my collection—their recorded legacy alone speaks for itself!”
LoMenzo’s journey with Spector came full circle during the recording of Megadeth’s latest album. “While prepping for our latest Megadeth record, our co-producer/engineer Chris Rakestraw told me about his most recent bass acquisition—a new Spector Euro CST. I had the opportunity to try it out when I got together with the guys at our studio in Tennessee and was blown away. Great to play, amazing in-your-face tone—I just kept it strapped on and recorded the entire album with it. Since I couldn’t convince Chris to sell me his, I had to get my own.”
Fans can catch James LoMenzo live on tour with Megadeth, where he’ll be wielding his Spector bass on stages around the world. “Come on out and see me rip it up with Megadeth and my very own Spector bass out on The Killing Road!”
Spector Bass is thrilled to support LoMenzo’s continued musical journey and looks forward to the powerful performances and recordings to come.
Learn more about Spector at www.spectorbass.com
Bass Player News
Justin Emord Joined NAMM’s Washington DC Advocacy Fly-In to Support Federal Funding for Music Education
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Justin Emord joined a delegation of NAMM Members, music and arts advocates, and industry partners to speak with Members of Congress to request continued support for federal funding for quality, sequential music education as part of the school day for more than 50 million public school students. The 19th NAMM Advocacy D.C. Fly-In welcomed new and returning advocates from all over the U.S. This included 94 music business leaders and professionals representing all 50 states.
“For me, music education has helped develop and shape me into the person I am today. I wouldn’t be who I am or experienced the things that I have without my music teacher in elementary school. The connection from the classroom to touring and being a voting member of the Recording Academy is about as clear and defined as it possibly can be.”
To kick off NAMM’s Advocacy Fly-In, The NAMM Foundation hosted a “Network With the Pros” event on Monday, May 5th, where music industry professionals met with students at Eastern Senior High School to share all the various career paths outlined in The NAMM Foundation’s Careers in Music initiative.
Follow Justin on IG @justin_emord and FB @justinemord16