BASS2BASS with FREEKBASS – Jesus Coomes

Interview with Bassist Jesus Coomes…

Funk is always in a perpetual state of renaissance, and one of the master-artists in this movement is groove-wizard bassist, Jesus Coomes.

As well as being one of the foundations for Lettuce, a band always moving the Funk forward, Jesus has left his bass-imprint on many canvases. He has played bass on tracks for icons such as Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kanye West, and Snoop Dogg. He was also a child actor growing up, appearing in TV commercials for products like Frosted Flakes, and had a “run-in” with Patrick Swayze in the 1991 movie, Point Break. It feels like his unique path has no end, and it was a special treat to get to interview this bassist-of-the-future. I hope you enjoy this chat with Jesus!

If you were asked to put a band together consisting of all bassists, which bass player (any era) would play the drums, the guitar, keyboards, and be the lead singer ..and why?

Marcus Miller: Bass Clarinet
Louis Cato: Drums
Thundercat: Vibe/Vocals
Mono Neon: Piano
Myself: Guitar
Nigel Hall: Bass

This would be the ultimate band because everyone is such a healer and all of them have huge hearts for man/womankind.

Which decade (60s,70s, 80s, 90s, 00s) do you feel did the most to move the electric-bass forward?

Electric Bass moving forward, I would say the late 60s did the most for that… but as far as just bass is concerned I think the 90s and now have done so much for the function of it, including bass music, 808 music, dubstep and trap. Just cause it’s not a bass guitar doesn’t mean it’s not bass.

You are asked to create a bass-centric soundtrack to a movie, and it revolves around your music. What would the movie be about?

The movie would be about being cool to each other and seeing how our differences actually make it possible to learn from each other and grow individually and collectively, all the while using nature and the ocean (including each drop of it) to exemplify these desirable characteristics.

You are allowed to choose one starting time for every show you play for the rest of your career. What time would that be, and why is that your ideal time?

Midnight: 01 – because I know after midnight is when people really start to let loose and the vibe is more tangible in the late night.

What superhero would make the best bassist?

I do believe Darkwing Duck would make a very exciting and responsible bassist.