NEWS OF NOTE
Naomi Emilia Zola-Finlay was born Friday, March 28th, to proud parents Sam Finlay of David Gage String Instruments and his wife Gabrielle Zola. Everyone's over the moon with joy on Walker Street in lower Manhattan. Congratulations, Sam and Gabrielle!
Winners of the first Arizona Bass Players Festival solo competition, held in March are: Chunyang Wang, grand prize winner of a Shen double bass donated by Robertson & Sons Violin Shop, and a student at the Juilliard School where he studies with Tim Cobb; John Sims, second prize is a student of Catalin Rotaru at Arizona State University, School of Music; Alexander Jacobsen, third prize, is a senior at Albuquerque (New Mexico) High School and an aspiring composer and conductor. Congratulations to these young artists! For more information go to http://arizonabassplayers.org/winners.html.
The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has announced the results of its 84th annual competition for the United States and Canada. The Foundation will award 190 Fellowships to artists, scientists, and scholars, with awards totaling $8,200,000. Honorees for 2008 were chosen from a group of more than 2,600 applicants, and include double bassist, composer and clinician Rufus Reid. Congratulations to Rufus!
The Idyllwild Arts Orchestra, Peter Askim, conductor, will give a New Music Concert at REDCAT/ Disney Hall in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 11 at 7 PM. The program will feature cellist Matt Haimovitz performing the Ligeti Cello Concerto (1966) and the West Coast premiere of Stephen Dankner's new "Klezmer Fantasty for Cello and Orchestra" (2007). Also on the program will be a newly commissioned work, "Idyllwild Crown" (2008) by Grammy-nominated composer Christopher Theofanidis and a new work for orchestra by bassist/composer Peter Askim, "Songlines" (2008). For tickets email tickets@idyllwildarts.org, or call 760/320-5272.
Where would bassist be without drummers? Pass the good word to your percussive friends that ISB parents Steve and Deb Maxwell, of Steve Maxwell Vintage and Custom Drums of Chicago, have opened a second shop in Manhattan at 723 7th Ave., 3rd floor. The shop features vintage and custom drum sets and snare drums, pro quality new drums, cymbals, heads and sticks. There is also a museum of classic drums. Go to www.maxwelldrums.com.
The Board of Administration of the George A. and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation has awarded eleven fellowships of $25,000 each for the 2008-2009 academic years. The eleven fellows, representing the fields of music (composition, performance, musicology), playwriting and theatre studies, were selected from an outstanding group of applicants. These latest honorees include ISB president-elect and 2009 convention host Rob Nairn, for a performance project that will feature compositions by composers of his native Australia. Congratulations to Rob!
Catalin Rotaru, professor of double bass at Arizona State University, has a full performing schedule ahead of him for 2008. On June 2nd, he will play the Tchaikovsky "Rococo Variations" at the Regina Estate Music Festival in Montecatini Terme, near Florence, Italy. On August 10th, he'll again play the Variations as part of the grand opening gala of the 3rd World Bass Festival in Wroclaw, Poland. He will also judge for the Wratislavia International Double Bass Competition the week before the festival. Catalin then travels to Paris to give a recital and masterclass at the Bass 2008 convention, October 30-November 2. He gives another recital and masterclasses at the EX TOTO CORDE International Strings Festival organized by the University of Sao Paolo, Brazil, November 3-16.
The Hong Kong Double Bass Society will present the debut concert of Bassmen "Bass Mania" on May 18, 2008 at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre. Guest artist Jeff Bradetich will perform with the ensemble, and give a masterclass on May 19th. For more information, email info.hkdbs@gmail.com.
Check out the May issue of Esquire magazine for a photo shoot of 12 musicians who are redefining classical music, all decked out in designer outfits. Look, who's that next to his double bass, looking smashing in an elegant tuxedo? It's the ISB's own Robert Black! Looking extremely sharp, Robert!
After 21 years together, Dennis Trembly and his lovely lady Evangelina Estrada made it official. They were wed in Los Angeles on December 20th at a downtown Los Angeles hotel in the presence of a few close friends. Congratulations, Dennis and Evangelina!
ISB president-elect and 2009 convention host Rob Nairn will be in Adelaide, Australia, to give a concert and masterclass at Marryatville High School on June 4th. For more information go to www.bassworks.com.au.
The Nashville Symphony is being honored for its historic "A Time for Greatness" campaign, which raised $123 million in five years, from 2001-2006. The total represents the largest amount raised ever for an arts organization in Tennessee in a single campaign. Even more impressive, the Nashville Symphony raised more than 90 percent of campaign revenue from private sources. Through its Nashville Advisory Council, a coalition of more than 350 members of the Nashville community committed to the project, the symphony was able to reach out to a variety of donors and attract more than 3,860 gifts, including 34 individual and corporate gifts of $1 million or more.
Bernard Salles from the Musikene San Sebastian in Spain will be guest professor for the 13th annual Doublebass Masterclass, May 1-3, 2008, at the Superior School of Music ESMAE/IPP in Porto Portugal. Classes include solo repertoire, chamber music, orchestra repertoire and recitals. For more information go to www.netbass.eu.
Really Good Music, LLC is pleased to announce the return and publication of Dave Anderson's music for double bass. As many readers know, Dave is the principal bass of the Louisiana Philharmonic, an active jazz-funk bassist on the New Orleans scene and a respected composer. He's managed to recover enough master copies of his many popular compositions (Dave and his family suffered major, major losses during Katrina) to get them back in print. Go to www.reallygoodmusic.com and click on "Artists," then Dave Anderson.
Barre Phillips, Israeli bassist Jean Claude Jones and Mark Dresser are organizing a predominantly bass-centric festival in Jerusalem, slated for Spring, 2009. DEEP TONES for PEACE will be an opportunity for double bassists to add their deep voices to the growing worldwide appeal for peace in the Middle East. "We sincerely hope that our music (classical, jazz and contemporary) will be received as it is being offered, as a sharing of distinct musical languages and structures that co-exist and are appreciated by all participants," says festival co-founder Mark Dresser. For information go to http://deeptones4peace.blogspot.com/
Renaud Garcia-Fons will tour Canada with his trio in summer, '08. Confirmed dates so far include: June 22 - Toronto Jazz Festival; June 23 - Ottawa International Jazz Festival; June 25 or 26 - Victoria (JazzFest International); June 27 and 28 - Vancouver International Jazz Festival; June 29 - Calgary Jazz Festival; and June 30 or July 2 - Montreal Jazz Festival.
Andrew Kohn is collecting the writings of Theron McClure with hopes of publication. If you have any copies of Ohio Bass Notes, please contact him at Andrew.Kohn@mail.wvu.edu or by phone at 412-621-3758.
RECENT APPOINTMENTS
Dave Anderson has been appointed as bass instructor at the Loyola School of Music in New Orleans. The school wishes to expand the bass department and is offering
graduate and undergraduate scholarships. Dave will be focusing on Torello/Benfield editions of audition material as well as advanced solo repertoire. For information go to
http://mfa.loyno.edu/facultybios/jmontes or email jmontes@loyno.edu, or go to http://mfa.loyno.edu/facultybios/awnisbet or email awnisbet@loyno.edu.
Mark Morton joins the faculty of Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, in Fall '09 as professor of double bass. Congratulations, Mark!
COMPETITIONS, MASTERCLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND FESTIVALS
The first Wratislavia International Double Bass Competition, Gary Karr, Honorary Patron, will be held August 3-9, 2008 at the Academy of Music in Wroclaw, Poland. For information go to www.doublebass.vel.pl, then click on "Wratislavia," then "Rules." The public is welcome to observe. Cost for accommodations for one day on campus with breakfast and lunch, 22 Euros.
Reservations due by the end of June. Email olkiew3@poczta.onet.pl.
Double bass studies at Ottawa Suzuki Strings "Sound Encounters" music camp in Ottawa, Kansas, June 11-20, 2008, will featured guest artist Harold Robinson, principal bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Also on the faculty will be Dennis Whittaker, principal bass with the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and instructor at the University of Houston, and bass instructor Kristi Knecht from Kansas City. Go to www.ottawasuzukistrings.org or contact Dennis Whittaker, (713) 743-3379.
The 21st Annual Jeff Bradetich Master Classes, June 9-13, at the University of North Texas offers a concentrated week of classical training for aspiring bassists including lots of technique, solo classes, orchestral study, and ensembles. In addition, the 8th Annual Beginners and Intermediate Bass Camp are offered June 11-13 with Jack Unzicker and Jessica Gilliam-Valls. The Elite Soloists Program, June 2-6, accepts five participants by audition to receive one lesson every day and play in four solo master classes during the week. For information go to www.music.unt.edu/workshops.
The Lynn Seaton Jazz Double Bass Workshop at the University of North Texas will be June 9-13, 2008. Sessions on upright technique, soloing, developing bass lines, jazz history and theory, playing in a small group with rhythm section, plus performance opportunities. For more information go to www.music.unt.edu/jazz or email dmayes@music.unt.edu, or call 940/565-3743.
The New Hampshire Bass Fest 2008, June 25-28 at Manchester Community College will feature Rufus Reid, Michael Manring, Steve Bailey and Todd Johnson are among the guest faculty who will educate and entertain attendees. Bassists of all ages and abilities welcome! There will be a free-of-charge Open House on Saturday from 10 AM - 3 PM, with all events open to the public. For more information go to www.nhbassfest.com.
The 15th Annual Hammond Ashley Memorial Double Bass Workshop will be held June 23- 27 at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington, offering advanced classes with Max Dimoff, principal bass of the Cleveland Orchestra, and Jeff Bradetich. Beginner, intermediate and adult classes are taught by Todd Gowers, Ben Musa and Miriam Chong. Contact Todd Gowers at toddgowers@wwdb.org
The 13th annual Golden Gate Bass Camp takes place July 6-13 at the Valley Center for the Performing Arts, Holy Names University, in Oakland, California. Faculty includes Barry Green, director, Mary Knysh, Diana Gannett, Donovan Stokes, Inez Wyrick, Kristin Korb, John Clayton, David Young, John Kennedy, Dustin Williams, Richard Duke, Ed Williams, Pat Klobas and Alan Scofield. The Ray Brown Jazz Course, July 10-13, will be led by artistic director John Clayton, with a faculty that includes Pat Klobas, Kristin Korb, Richard Duke and Ed Williams. For information or to register, go to www.innergameofmusic.com/basscamp/.
George Vance's 2008 Summer Bass Workshop will be July 7-11 at Albert Einstein High School in Silver Spring, MD. Faculty members include Francois Rabbath, Anthony Bianco, Etienne Lafrance, Robert Oppelt, Robert Peterson, Tracy Rowell, George Vance, Ali Yazdanfar and luthier Christian Laborie. For more information call 301/588-9275, email George@slavapub.net or go to www.slavapub.net.
The 3rd Mittenwald International Masterclass with Jeff Bradetich is scheduled for August 4-9, 2008. Come to the historical town of Mittenwald, Germany, hometown of Pöllmann double basses and Mike and Ralph Krahmer. Guest instructors include Timothy Dunin and Andreas Bennetzen, artistic director. For more information contact Andreas Bennetzen at info@dynamobass.dk, or go to www.music.unt.edu/mittenwald.
Double bass study is now on the schedule for the 23rd annual International Master Classes for Strings, Professor Petru Munteanu, founder. Gottfried Engels will be guest bass professor for the event, August 8-18, at the Kloster Schoental in Germany. For details and registration information, email Petru.Munteanu@gmx.de.
The Polish Double Bass Society, K. Lipinski Academy of Music and W. Lutoslawski Philharmonie in Wroclaw announce the Third World Bass Festival in Wroclaw, Poland, August 10-17, 2008. Participants will enjoy 28 classic and jazz concerts performed by 62 great musicians, and attend classic and jazz masterclasses, lectures and presentations each morning. Among the presenters will be Ron Carter, Francois Rabbath, Thomas Martin, Renaud Garcia Fons, Miloslav Jelinek, Frank Proto, Catalin Rotaru, Tom Knific, Jeff Bradetich, Irena Olkiewicz, Miloslav Gajdos, Tadeusz Gorny, Thierry Barbe, Tadeusz Wielecki, David Murray, Barry Green, Barre Phillips, Hans Sturm, John Schimek, Eric Hansen, Andrew Kohn, Peter Askim, Sonia Ray, Jiri Valenta, Dan Styffe, Gerard Przybyla, Karoly Saru, Dominik Schulz and many others. To view the schedule on the Polish Double Bass Society website, www.doublebass.vel.pl or email olkiew3@poczta.onet.pl or grzegorz.olkiewicz@neostrada.pl.
The 2008 Vail Jazz Festival Summer Workshop in Vail, CO, August 23-September 1, holds a special music-in-residency program for 12 gifted and dedicated high school musicians. The faculty includes John Clayton, Jeff Clayton, Terell Stafford, Bill Cunliffe, and Lewis Nash. Full and partial scholarships are offered to students accepted into the workshop. For more information call 970/479-6146, or go to www.vailjazz.org.
The International Performers' Competition, hosted by the Czech Society of Bassists and the Brno International Music Festival, will be held September 14-20, 2008 in Brno, Czech Republic. For information and application go to www.mhf-brno.cz/mis/en/, or email jelinekmilos@volny.cz.
The 5th International Double Bass Competition "Johann Matthias Sperger" will be held at Ludwigslust, Germany, September 29 - October 5, 2008. Applications due August 15, 2008. For more information contact artistic director Klaus Trumpf, info@klaus-trumpf-sperger.de, or go to www.spergergesellschaft.de.
ABCDF, The French Bass and Double Bass Society, will hold the second-ever International Bass Symposium at the National Superior Conservatory of Paris (www.CNSMDP.fr), October 30 through November 3, 2008. Renowned artists of all genres - classical, contemporary, avant-garde and jazz - will give masterclasses, showcases, clinics, recitals and evening concerts. There will also be an exhibition of publishers, makers and bass shops, and a composition competition. The player's competition will have five categories: solo, orchestra, jazz, contemporary and mini-bass (ages 7 to 18 years). Among the dozens of guest artists scheduled are: Bozo Paradzik, Dan Styffe, Roman Patkolo, Jeff Bradetich, Teppo Hauta Aho, Daniel Marillier, Thierry Barbe, Joel Quarrington, Gottfried Engels, Diana Gannett, Miloslav Jelinek, Hans Sturm, Francois Rabbath, Paul Ellison, Tom Knific, Mark Morton, Catalin Rotaru, Rufus Reid, John Patitucci, Riccardo del Fra, Renaud Garcia Fons, Barre Philips, Stefano Scodanibbio, Tobias Gloeckler, David Sinclair, Rob Nairn, Joe Carver, Michael Greenberg, Richard Myron and many more. For more information go to http://www.contrebasse.com/en/news/index.html and www.bass2008.com. The Bass 2008 team can book the hotels for you, or you can register on contrebasse.com and post a message to find free housing with a Parisian bassist. Questions? Email Thierry Barbe at tbarbe@gmail.com.
ON SALE NOW
Go to www.vimpvideo.com to order a DVD of the 2007 ISB convention at Oklahoma City University. The DVD includes interviews, sights, and sounds of the largest ISB convention ever, plus performance clip extras and more.
Go to http://www.isbworldoffice.com/isb_shop/merchandise.html to purchase the new orchestra tuning version of Paul Ramsier's "Divertimento Concertante on a Theme of Couperin," and the new double bass piano reduction of Peter Askim's "Islands" Concerto (solo and orchestra tunings available). Order either online, or by printing out and mailing in the downloadable order form.
More posters, 2007 convention t-shirts and videos on sale at http://www.isbworldoffice.com/isb_shop/merchandise.html. Looking to sell your bass, bow, or CD? Use ISB Classifieds to help sell it! Check out the ISB website (click "Shop" on the toolbar) for more information!
Mark your calendars for the 2009 ISB convention, June 8 through 13, 2009 at Penn State!
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