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Do you Tweet or use Facebook? The ISB is active on both. We keep you up to date on the latest events happening around the country as well as share interesting articles and videos. Become a Facebook fan of the ISB and have great conversations with fellow bass players from around the world. Our goal is 4,000 friends by September 1st - we're almost there! Join in the conversation. On Twitter, ask us questions and our Facebook fans will help you with your answer! - Lisa Brown, ISB Social Media Manager |
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IN MEMORY
Andy Wolf died June 22, 2012 at age 96. He was a long-time member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra bass section. Besides being an accomplished bassist, he also was a luthier and was for many years a partner of David Horine running The Bass Viol Shop in Cincinnati. He is survived by his wife, Emily Hodges.
Audrey E. Bush died July 31, 2012. She was 92 years old. Audrey was raised in Ogden, Utah. After high school, she attended the University of Utah and studied music education, receiving her master's degree in 1949. For many years she was principal bass with the Seattle Symphony, and then for 35 years she was principal bass of the Utah Symphony. She was a charter member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, serving as principal bass from 1998 until her retirement in 2003, at which time she was awarded the title of "Principal Emeritus." She traveled the world with her music and was profiled in Bass World magazine by her friend and fan Gary Karr. Donations in her memory can be made to the "Foundation to Assist Young Musicians (FAYM)" to create a scholarship in Audrey's name at FAYM, 9513 Coral Way, Las Vegas, NV 89117.
Nabil Totah died June 7, 2012. He was 82 years old. Born in Ramallah, Jordan, 'Nobby' Totah played violin and piano as a child. He relocated to the U.S. in 1944 and studied political science before deciding on a career in music. Taking up the bass in 1953, he played in army bands and with Hampton Hawes and Toshiko Akiyoshi in Japan. Upon his return to the U.S. following his military service, he played briefly with Charlie 'Bird' Parker and then began long-time, intermittent spells in groups led by Gene Krupa and by Johnny Smith. Also during the 1950s and 1960s, Totah played with a wide range of artists including Eddie Costa, Tal Farlow, Bobby Jaspar, Herbie Mann, Zoot Sims and Phil Woods, and worked in bands led by Benny Goodman, Bobby Hackett, Max Kaminsky, Lee Konitz and Hazel Scott. In addition, Totah led his own small groups with a distinguished array of sidemen. A memorial concert was held on August 20th in New York City for Totah featuring performances by Toshiko Akiyoshi, David Amram, Don Friedman, Lee Konitz, Mike Longo, Lew Tabackin and many others.
The Houston, Texas jazz community is mourning the loss of Derrick Lewis, who died August 26, 2012 when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. He is survived by his wife, Anne Lundy, and son Gregory. A memorial service has been tentatively planned for 3 pm, Monday, Sept 3, 2012 at St. Mary's United Methodist Church, 6731 Scott St., with a musical tribute and jam session at the church afterwards.
Ken Braun of Casco, Michigan, died August 2, 2012 at age 56. Ken was a music instructor for Hansen Pro Music in Port Huron. He also taught at Ardis Music Store in Mt. Clemens and was a substitute teacher at Anchor Bay High School. He played with the bands Brazil and Beyond, Macombers and the Adam Allens Band. The Ken Braun Memorial Fund has been established. Send donations (checks payable to "Ken Braun's Family") to Ardis Music, 49 N. Walnut St., Mt Clemens, MI 48063. |
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STOLEN INSTRUMENTS
Double bass stolen on March 15th in Berkeley, CA. $500 reward for information leading to recovery, no questions asked. Dark brown with a flat back,gut strings (2 plain gut,2 silver-wound gut), wooden endpin,and "knobby" tuners. The label inside bears the name Micael Deconet. Green dampit inside minus the rubber "washer" and cap that normally keep it hanging in the f hole. On the smaller end of a 3/4 size bass, with the shape resembling the viol family (ie: no "violin"corners). Last known to be in a black unpadded case with a PVC bow tube containing one French style bow with reddish hair and stamped A.R.Reichel inside a bluish denim tie-string bag. There were also accessories in the accessory pocket, including one ebony mute,one cake of Pop's bass rosin, pencils, rag and a homemade wooden rock-stop. The case has a shoulder strap,and one handle in the front is wrapped in a black sheepskin seatbelt protector. Please contact
Kristin Zoernig,
[email protected],
415-786-3030 if you have any information.
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Announcements
Jeffrey Weisner, bassist in the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington DC and faculty member at the Peabody Conservatory will perform music from his new recording Neomonology on September 7th at 7 at Spectrum, a new music performance space in downtown New York City. Three new works for solo bass written for Jeff will be featured, including Michael Hersch's Caelum Dedecoratum, which he premiered at the 2007 ISB Convention in Oklahoma City. A new CD isn't the only thing keeping Jeff busy lately, he welcomed his daughter Madeleine (picture right) in January!
The Henry Grimes Quartet performs September 7th, 9 PM at the Somethin' Jazz Club in New York City, call 212-371-7657.
Happy birthday number six-zero to ISB past president John Clayton, who is just putting the finishing touches on the latest Clayton Brothers recording project, The Gathering.
The 2012 Brno Double Bass Convention will be September 9-15, Miloslav Jelinek, director. Click here for more information, or email [email protected].
The Austin BassFest at the University of Texas at Austin's Butler School of Music, DaXun Zhang, director, takes place September 21-23, 2012 in partnership with the Texas Performing Arts Center. Featured educators and performers include Edgar Meyer, Hal Robinson, Lawrence Hurst, Paul Ellison, Tim Pitts and Jeff Bradetich. Events during the Bassfest include a solo competition, as well as a TMEA All-State Workshop for high school bassists. Bassists may register to fully participate in masterclasses and workshops (registration deadline September 14th) or audit. All participants receive one ticket to Edgar Meyer's concert presented by Texas Performing Arts on Saturday, September 22nd. Click here for a schedule of events and to register.
Catalin Rotaru, professor of double bass at Arizona State University, will appear at Encuentro Internacional de Contrabajo San Juan, Argentina, September 2nd-8th; on tour in Japan (Kakogawa Bass Seminar, September 23rd-24th, Kyushu Bass Club, September 26th, Shin-Okubo, Tokyo, September 28th, and Tokyo, Musashino Civic Cultral Hall, September 30th); at the Instituto de M�sica Pontificia Universidad Cat�lica, Santiago de Chile, October 14th-20th; and at the Instrumenta Music Festival, Oaxaca Mexico, November 18th-25th.
Dan Styffe, co-principal bass of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music and Barratt Due�s Institute of Music, performs Rolf Martinsson�s Bass Concerto with the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra (Sweden) on September 26th. His recording of the concerto was released in August.
Matt Ulery performed music from his new CD By a Little Light at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park in August as part of the "Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz" concert series.
Murray Grodner celebrated his 90th birthday in style in August with a surprise birthday party and performances by many of his students. A scholarship fund in Murray's honor has been created at the Indiana University Foundation. Click here for a form to complete and mail in with your donation. Murray is offering his extensive library of scores, recordings and copies of manuscripts for sale (price TBD). Click here for a resume of the Grodner Library. For a complete listing of Murray's personal library, email [email protected]. Murray is also selling a a beautful German model bow in mint condition made by Horst Schicker of Snakewood, silver mounted. Price is $2,750 firm, email [email protected] to inquire.
The Queensland Conservatorium & Brisbane Festival 2012 presents Bottesini's World on September 25, 2012, 8 PM, with guest artist Thomas Martin, double bass, the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, the Brisbane Chorale and the Queensland Conservatorium singers and alumni in a night celebrating Giovanni Bottesini with performances of Bottesini's Concerto No. 2 and Bottesini's "Requiem" (here's an exciting bit of news for sharp-eyed e-newsletter readers, Tom Martin will be releasing his own recording of the Bottesini Requiem in early 2013, stay tuned!) www.qtix.com.au
Leon Bosch gave a masterclass at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Korea in May. Pictured back row (left to right) areWoo Jung Mi, Nam Han Nah, Han Ji Hye, Lee Seung Ri and Hwang Soon Chan; front row (l to r), are Professor Chung Jun Soo, Professor Yang Ko Woon, Leon Bosch, Lee Da Young and Jang Young Bin.
When flying with your double bass in a trunk in the United States,
Dave Holland will coach New England Conservatory students on Thursday, September 27th in a program, "Music of Dave Holland" in Brown Hall.
Christine Hoock (center) gave a masterclass this summer for students of Stefano Sciascia (to the right of Christine) at the Tartini Conservatory of Trieste, Italy. Stefano will travel to Salzburg, Austria in October to give a masterclass.
Quantum Bass Center of Houston, Texas announces a full-time opening for an experienced bass luthier/repairman (orchestral strings oriented). New but very busy shop, high demand for fine-instrument repairs and custom work plus volume of ordinary repairs and new setups. Pay commensurate with the applicant's portfolio and references. Email your interest to [email protected]. In more news, the winner of Quantum Bass Center's innovative 2012 Texas All-State Double Bass Etudes Reference Recording Competition is Jory Herman of the San Diego Symphony. Says store owner Elisabeth Steves, "This is exactly what we were hoping to inspire, high level professional players contributing to the lexicon of reference materials for young students." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-DPSchq11E
Has bass playing really gone to the dogs? Click here to read a review of the 2012 KarrKamp, led by ISB founder Gary Karr, where two-legged and four-legged participants always have the time of their lives!
Read an interview with double bassist and composer Shinji Eshima and his San Francisco Ballet commission, RAkU. http://www.sequenza21.com/2012/06/love-and-death-san-francisco-ballet-tours-eshimas-raku/
The Berklee College of Music announces that Steve Bailey has been named chair of the college's bass department. Bailey, six-string fretless bass pioneer, educator, and author, begins his tenure this summer, succeeding Rich Appleman, who retired in May, 2012, after holding the position for 40 years.
Mark Morton, double bass professor at Texas Tech University, performed the Bottesini Concerto No. 2 with his own orchestration for strings with the Orquesta de Camara Juvenil de Buenos Aires at the Conservatorio Superior de Musica de Buenos Aires "Astor Piazzola," and at the Museo de Arte Hispanoamericano "Isaac Fernandez Blanco" in June.
Winners of the 2012 Concorso Internazionale di Contrabbasso in August were: Alessandro Belli, first prize; Vito Galante, second prize; Stefano Morelli, third prize; and Andrea Cocco, fourth prize.
Yuan Xiong Lu, professor of bass at Texas Christian University, gave a joint recital in July with pianist Jose Feghali, Van Cliburn gold medalist, at the Shanghai, China Concert Hall. It featured the world premiere of "Shanghai Legend" by TCU faculty composer Robert Garwell. The sold out concert was broadcast live and reached more than 60 million viewers and listeners.
http://imedia.eastday.com/node2/node3106/weekly/node3200/node3896/index.html
The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles opened a new photo exhibition, "Herman Leonard: Documenting the Giants of Jazz" on July 26th. The exhibit will showcase some of the most iconic photos shot by famed photographer Herman Leonard through February 2013.
The upcoming International Johann Matthias Sperger Competition, September 16-23, 2012, is now a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions. http://spergerwettbewerb.de/
Congratulations to Daniel Benoit, who won the audition for the Air Force Strings in Washington, D.C. in June.
Violinist Yuzuko Horigome, a veteran professional musician, experienced a nightmare when German customs authorities seized her 1741 Guarneri del Ges� during a stopover in Frankfurt. Customs agents confiscated the instrument when Horigome was unable to show proof of ownership for the rare violin she has owned and performed on since 1986, and because she couldn't pay the €190,000 import tax on the instrument and €380,000 fine for failing to show proof of ownership. Travelers beware! Traveling bassists, don't let this happen to you! Always travel with prove of ownership of your instruments. Better safe than sorry!
Listen to Victor Wooten's inspiring TED (Technology Entertainment and Design) Education presentation "Music as a Language" at http://youtu.be/3yRMbH36HRE.
Has your career has hit a wall? Do you have a specific project or goal that you want to accomplish but lack the resources? Artists from all disciplines facing these challenges will learn everything they need to know about how to plan and organize their careers through the new online course "The Profitable Artist" offered by Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts, and based on the book The Profitable Artist, published last year by Artspire, a program of the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). Expert presenters will lead students through topics that include: Strategic Planning in the Arts, Financial Management and Budgeting, Legal Issues for Artists, Marketing in the Arts, and Fundraising for Artists. By the end of this course, artists will have built an action plan for their career or project, and will have developed the skills needed to execute it. Space is limited, for more information go to www.masongross.rutgers.edu/content/profitable-artist or email [email protected].
For college/university/conservatory graduates in music looking for a career-enhancing program, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County is now accepting applications for its new "Certificate in Music Entrepreneurship" program beginning Fall, 2012. The one year post-baccalaureate program features a partnership with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop, Music Director and the BSO's entrepreneurial programs, including OrchKids, the largest El Sistema-inspired program in the U.S. For more information go to http://www.umbc.edu/music/programs/entrepreneurship.php.
The Sydney Morning Herald recently reported great news for Australian arts advocates - every student in the country's school system will now study dance, drama, media arts, and visual arts through age ten. Officials with the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority claimed that research shows music programs in disadvantaged schools boost classroom participation by students.
MondoMusica is organizing an international show of string instrument and accessory makers in New York City that will be open to the public, March 15-17, 2013. Information for exhibitors and attendees can be found at http://www.mondomusicanewyork.com. More information at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/6/prweb9618698.htm.
The Lawrence P. Hurst Scholarship/Fellowship at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music has been established to honor his 48 years of teaching excellence. Fans, friends and former students can send a contribution to the IU Jacobs School of Music, Office of Development, 1201 East Third Street, Bloomington, IN 47405.
The Maestro Foundation loans high quality string instruments to college-age students who could not otherwise afford them. Read more here.
Tarisio Auctions has launched a $10,000 string instrument grant designed to help young musicians at the start of their careers. The Tarisio Matching Grant Program awards up to $10,000 of matching funds towards the purchase of a string instrument or bow in one of Tarisio's fine auctions. It is open to players aged under 30 who are currently enrolled in or have graduated from a music performance degree program. The winner is drawn at random two weeks before the auction. There are four auctions per year, two in London and two in New York. For more information and to apply, go to http://tarisio.com/pages/about/grantinfo.php.
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Upcoming Events
Send your news and announcements for the ISB's E-Bass Line newsletter to [email protected].
OCTOBER
Edgar Meyer will perform Bottesini and his own Concerto #3 with the Virginia Symphony on October 26th, 27th and 28th. The performances will be in Newport News, Norfolk and Virginia Beach and include works of John Adams and Antonin Dvorak.
NOVEMBER
The University of Southern Mississippi Bass Symposium V, Marcos Machado, director, will be November 2nd and 3rd with special guest artist Catalin Rotaru.
Ball State Bass Day takes place on November 11th on the campus of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Special guest Eugene Levinson, principal bass emeritus of the New York Philharmonic and faculty member of The Juilliard School, will conduct a series of workshops and masterclasses. Joel Braun, assistant professor of double bass at Ball State, will give his inaugural faculty artist recital. For more information go to http://ballstatebassday.wordpress.com/. Like this event on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BallStateBassDay. |
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Competitions
Guidelines and repertoire for the 2013 ISB Double Bass Competition (divisions for solo, jazz, orchestra, age 15-18 and age 14 and under) are posted at www.isbworldoffice.com/competitions.asp.
Calling all bass makers! For rules and an application to enter the next ISB Maker's Competition, June 2 & 3, 2013, at the Eastman School of Music, click here.
Recital Music is holding a composition competition asking entrants to write a new cadenza for each movement of the Dragonetti concerto. The winning cadenzas will be included in Recital Music's new edition of the concerto, and a number of the best entries will be included in a separate volume of cadenzas. Entry deadline is October 1, 2012.
Find guidelines and online application for the 7th Bucharest International Jazz Competition http://www.jmevents.ro/General-Rules-s43-en.htm.
Click here for repertoire list for the 2013 ASTA National Solo Competition.
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Music Bringing Us All Together
Click here to view and listen to video clips from 2009's "Deep Tones for Peace," held on a worldwide virtual stage, featuring Mark Dresser, Barre Phillips, Henry Grimes, Chi-chi Nwanoku, Bert Turetzky, William Parker, Rufus Reid, Irina-Kalina Goudeva, Thierry Barb�, J.C. Jones and others in solo and ensemble performances.
Listen to "The Cool Jazz Set," hosted by ISB member Paul Pearce, to hear some of your favorite jazz artists each week live at 7 PM EST at www.wdce.org, or later at www.cooljazzset.com.
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Benefitting the ISB
 Sales from "Lynn Seaton Live" at the 2003 ISB Convention, with Lynn Seaton, bass, Bill Mays, piano, and Tim Froncek, drums benefit the International Society of Bassists. Listen to both originals and favorites from Lynn's amazing ISB convention debut. Buy here!
Ovidiu Badila began to study music at the age of six in Romania, and gained international renown, winning numerous prizes for his virtuosity. He was professor of the Staaliche Hochschule fur Musik of Trossingen in Germany and had recently started teaching at the Musik-Akademic der Stadt Basel in Switzerland before his untimely death in 2001. Here is a two-disk recording of his final recital, complete with the artist's lively commentary, given at the University of Washington in Seattle and hosted by Barry Lieberman. Barry released the CD as a tribute to Ovidiu Badila's brilliant and far too brief life and career, and has donated copies of the CD to the ISB. All sales benefit the International Society of Bassists, purchase here!
A portion of sales from the required piece for the Age 14 and Under Division of the 2011 ISB Double Bass Competition, Song and a Dance for Double Bass & Piano, written by Blaise Ferrandino and published by Ludwin Music, www.ludwinmusic.com, will be donated back to the ISB by the composer and publisher.
The first and only biography to date of jazz bassist Scott LaFaro has been published by the University of North Texas Press. Written by his sister, Helene LaFaro Fernandez, Jade Visions tells the story of one of the 20th century's most influential jazz musicians. Best known for his recordings with Bill Evans, he played bass a mere seven years before his life and career were tragically cut short by an automobile accident at age 25. The winner of the 2010 Association for Recorded Sound Collections Award for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research in Jazz, it combines an intimate look at his family along with insights into LaFaro's music and career by Gene Lees, Don Thompson, Jeff Campbell, Phil Palombi, Barrie Kolstein, Chuck Ralston and many others. Hardback, 352 pages, including never before published photos. $25 plus shipping and handling at http://www.isbstore.com/miscellaneous.html.  The perfect companion to the Scott LaFaro biography Jade Visions is the newly released CD, Pieces of Jade. Listen to some of LaFaro's earliest recordings with pianist Don Friedman and drummer Pete LaRoca, plus a 1966 interview with Bill Evans, over 20 minutes of an Evans and LaFaro rehearsal, and "Memories for Scotty," a solo piano tribute by Don Friedman. A must-have for fans of jazz and every bassist now available at the ISB Online Store, with a portion of proceeds from sales benefitting the ISB's Scott LaFaro Prize fund. $15 plus shipping and handling at http://www.isbstore.com/miscellaneous.html.
The George Vance Young Bassists Education Fund, established in honor and memory of the late George Vance, and will be dedicated to offering educational opportunities for young bassists. Send donations payable to the International Society of Bassists and addressed to the George Vance Young Bassists Education Fund, International Society of Bassists, 14070 Proton Rd., Suite 100, LB 9, Dallas, Texas 75244. The ISB is a 501(C)(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. |
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