Bass Day

29 October 2005

FOOTAGE FROM BASS DAY 2005. The highlight of 2005 was the LCCM Bass Day, a day of free clinics and seminars featuring some of the finest bass players from the UK and the US. There were also equipment demonstrations from Ibanez guitars.

The day began at 1pm with a seminar on Funk by LCCM Tutor Ernie Mckone. Formerly part of the acid jazz band Galliano, Ernie performed examples of grooves with drum student Levi Szvendro. Ernie’s seminar was a perfect introduction to the next artist Yolanda Charles. Yolanda and Ernie previously shared the Paul Weller gig.

Yolanda, most recently with Robbie Williams, had the audience in respectful silence as she performed with her trio. She talked about a huge range of Subjects including managing sessions, singing and playing, and Yolanda gave an excellent demonstration of playing behind the beat. This was a great clinic and we hope to see Yolanda back at the LCCM very soon.

Next LCCM Tutor Pat Cotton, showed us how to rock using ideas by Hole, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and a few of his own. Pat covered a wide range of rock techniques such as picking, muting and the use of power chords. After the earlier clinics on Soul and Funk playing, Pat “the rock” Cotton was the perfect compliment.

This was followed by the British rhythm section Laurence Cottle and Ian Thomas. LCCM were so fortunate to get both of them together. Ian and Laurence were candid and at ease on stage. Their display of humour underlined their laid back approach to music and life in general. Ian Thomas also gave a superlative performance and together Laurence and Ian performed a selection of songs displaying enviable technique and superb solos.

The last Tutor seminar was taken by the reputable Silas Maitland who talked about walking bass. Silas illuminated his audience with chord substitutions and the use of modes from the major and melodic minor scales to build hip walking bass lines.

Top of the bill was the legendary bassist Gary Willis. Gary had the presence of a true professional. Gary started by casually playing along to grooves from his laptop demonstrating just how good he really is. He moved effortlessly from grooving to playing audacious solos over a mix of patterns from standard Jazz grooves to angular interpretations of classics like the Chicken.

The demand to ask questions was unavoidable and for the next 30 minutes Gary took questions on everything and anything, which led to a detailed demonstration of Gary’s unique right hand technique.

“Well done. I returned home grinning, shell-shocked and totally bassed-out from everything I tried to take in. I hope you can do another. “

“I just wanted to say a big thank you to all of you at the LCCM for organising bass day. It is not often that you get something for nothing these days and for it to be of such outstanding quality as well - my expectations were exceeded.”