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NEWS OF NOTE
Download the guidelines and entry forms for the International Society of Bassists' biennial double bass competition, to be held June 8-9, 2009, at Penn State University, State College, Pennsylvania, Diana Gannett, professor of double bass at the University of Michigan, chair. The five divisions are Solo, Jazz and Orchestra, with competitors from age 19 to 30 (age 18-30 for jazz) and two divisions for younger bassists, Age 15 to 18 and Age 14 and Under. Go to http://www.isbworldoffice.com/competitions/performance.html. ISB past president John Clayton and his brother, saxophonist Jeff Clayton, have launched a new recording project on the Artist Share website. "Brother to Brother" will pay tribute to famous brothers in jazz. To participate in this community commission, go to www.artistshare.com/home/default.aspx and scroll down the menu on the right hand side of the page. You'll also find another great opportunity to be a part of jazz history. Dan Ouillette's Artist Share literary project, the authorized Ron Carter biography, is slated for release this fall, but there's still time to be one of Ron's many fans that are helping to commission this important book. We encourage ISB members to join both of these bass-focused Artist Share projects!
 Bassist/vocalist/composer Jay Leonhart is a new grandfather to Vaughn Jalen Escoffrey. Look at those hands! A future ISB member, perhaps? His parents are vocalist Carolyn Leonhart and saxophonist Wayne Escoffrey.Mark Morton has joined the faculty of the Texas Tech University School of Music in Lubbock, Texas, as professor of double bass. Mark and Lubbock ISD teacher Laura Felton are teaming up to hold the West Texas Double Bass Clinic in Lubbock on September 20, 2008. There will be clinics for middles school and All-State Orchestra students. For information email Lfelton@lubbockisd.org. Jeff Bradetich, professor of double bass at the University of North Texas School of Music in Denton, TX, has formed the Bradetich Foundation to advance and cultivate a prominent international presence for double bassists, and to command high performance standards and opportunities through solo competitions, educational outreach and cross-cultural connections. For more information go to www.bradetichfoundation.org. Bassist Dave Carpenter died Tuesday, July 1, 2008. He was only 48 years old. He was an in-demand musician in Los Angeles, and toured with Buddy Rich, Allan Holdsworth and many others over the past 25 years. Most recently Dave was a member of the L.A.-based bands of Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua and Mitchel Forman.
 Congratulations to Barrie Kolstein of Kolstein Music on the wedding of his daughter, Leslie, this summer! Pictured with Barrie are his wife, Lorraine, the beautiful bride and her brother, David.
ISB member Steven Whipple is the newly- appointed artist-in-residence and head of the bass department at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. He will be teaching acoustic and electric bass, coaching ensembles, and teaching a rudiments of music class. The Honolulu Jazz Quartet, led by bassist John Kolivas, will be featured at the Tuesday Night Market Jazz in Sonoma, California, August 12, 2008. Joining the quartet will be pianist Geoffrey Keezer. Go to www.sonomavalleyjazzsociety.org or www.honolulujazzquartet.com. Pictured are the newly formed Bassmen of Hong Kong, with guest artist Jeff Bradetich, far right.
Atelier Constantin Popescu has moved to a new location. The address and contact information: 403 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich/Cos Cob, CT 06807, 203/661-9500, www.atelierconstantinpopescu.com.
Upton Bass String Instrument Co. has a new location: 44 Taugwonk Spur, Unit 4, Stonington, CT 06378, telephone 860/535-9399, fax 860/535-9311, www.uptonbass.com. Stefan Krattenmacher has scheduled a grand opening of his new workshop on September 14, 2008. The Julia Hülsmann trio with jazz bassist Marc Muellbauer will perform. For information go to www.krattenmacher.com.
ISB member Yung-chiao Wei's first CD, featuring her own transcription of the famous Chinese Violin Concerto "Butterfly Lovers" by Chen Gang and He Zhanhao and Brahms Cello Sonata in e minor, was released on Centaur Records label in June. She is an associate professor at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. For more information about Yung-chiao Wei, go to www.yungchiao.esmartmusic.com. Jazz fans and bassists everywhere can enjoy more stories and photos by the late, great Milt Hinton in the new book "Playing the Changes: Milt Hinton's Life in Stories and Photographs," co-authored by David Berger. The book is available at bookstores everywhere from Vanderbilt Press.
Really Good Music is pleased to announce the return and publication of Dave Anderson's music for double bass. Go to www.reallygoodmusic.com and click on "Artists," then Dave Anderson.
STOLEN INSTRUMENTS
Nathan Peck's double bass was stolen from in front of his apartment building in Jackson Heights, Queens, on Friday May 30th at around 12:50 AM as he was returning from a gig. It was in a dark blue Soundwear gig bag. The word "Pfretzchner" is printed inside as well as a label that reads "new bass bar and re-graduation by Kichier Bros. Pittsburgh PA (49)" and a newer one with the name "Bill Merchant." The bass is a red/blondish color. There is a small chip in the scroll. It also has a Fishman Full Circle on it. Nathan needs your help in keeping an eye out for his instrument. He can be reached at 412-414-7774 (cell) or 718-565-6514 (home), or at www.myspace.com/nathanpeckmusic.
A double bass was stolen in Cagliari, Italy on March 26, 2002. Label says "Vincenzo Lucarini, Fecit in Faentae 19840." Height, 112 cm; lower bout width 71.05 cm; higher bout width 52 cm; band thickness 21.05 cm; neck length 42.05 cm. No corners, "pear" shape. If you have news call Rinaldo Asuni, +39 347 7882618, or email the ISB. Reward for return!
COMPETITIONS, MASTERCLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND FESTIVALS
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 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. The Polish Double Bass Society, K. Lipinski Academy of Music and W. Lutoslawski Philharmonie in Wroclaw announces 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 http://www.worldbassfestival.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: Joelle Leandre, 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 University in State College, PA!
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