Bassist for Grammy Winning Projects Billboard-Charting Arranger Jon Batiste, Quincy Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., Marie Osmond “Phil Kuehn is a master musician and arranger whose musical abilities are unparalleled in his generation. He's also the greatest person you'll ever meet and is my favorite bass player." - Jon Batiste
I am known for a “straight ahead jazz”, smooth jazz, and R&B/Soul sound with lush textures and smooth lines.
I can produce arrangements using a combination of live and/or programmed instruments for a wide variety of textures.
I specialize in:
Upright Bass (Think Ray Brown, Paul Chambers, Christian McBride, but in any style)
Electric Bass - Fretted and Fretless (Think Jaco Pastorius, James Jamerson, Pino Palladino)
Arranging for Strings, Horns, Woodwinds, Choir & Full Orchestra or Jazz Ensemble (Think Johnny Mandell, Claus Ogermann, Thad Jones, Dave Koz)
For Bass Tracks please provide:
Sheet Music (extra charge if there is none)
Audio file with no bass (for recording)
Audio file with sample bass (if applicable)
For Arrangements please provide:
As much information, audio files, sheet music, notes, etc. as possible
Bass Credits:
Grammy Winning Disney/Pixar's Soul; Recorded/Performed w/ Jonathan Batiste & Stay Human; Aloe Blacc; Harry Connick Jr.; Anthony Hamilton; Wynton Marsalis; Tony Bennett; The Grammy Nominated Album "Live at the Village Vanguard: Chronology of a Dream" by Jon Batiste; and other albums by Khristian Dentley (Take 6); Cyrille Aimee; Justin Kauflin
Arranging/Composition Credits:
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert; Billboard-Charting Album "Christmas with Jon Batiste"; Co-arrangement with Quincy Jones; The Beethoven Orchester Bonn
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
26 Reviews - 3 Repeat Clients
Endorse Philip Kuehn
check_circleVerifiedFantastic player, very professional and an absolute pleasure to work with. Gave me exactly what I was after and then some.
check_circleVerifiedPhil was great to work with and a total pro! His playing really complemented my song beautifully. It's clear that he understands the language of music and doesn't play anything that the song isn't asking for. Highly recommend!
check_circleVerified (Client)Philip is an exceptional producer, exhibiting a profound sense of musicality and delivering captivating jazzy arrangements. Simply marvelous!
check_circleVerifiedFast delivery, and good communication on the project's details. Recommend!
- check_circleVerified
Philip is the REAL DEAL. Easy to work with and you won't find better..Well done Philip. Call him for your bass needs. Thanks Philip
check_circleVerifiedPhilip is a great musician , skilled and creative ! I will come back with a new music !
- check_circleVerified
Great performance and great clean sound, Philip is your man if you want a profesional bass for your track, I´ll repeat, no doubt.
- check_circleVerified
Phil created two great string arrangements for me. He brought another dimension to the songs. I can't recommend Phil enough; his work is top-notch.
check_circleVerifiedPhil is absolutely incredible. Incredibly kind, incredibly cooperative, and a true master of his instrument. He really elevated my song with his playing, and I'm sure he will do so with pretty much any project thrown at him. Strongly recommend!
check_circleVerifiedPhilip Kuehn does it again!! I had a really pretty piano ballad that needed that extra *something*. Phil did his thing and took a song from good to GREAT. If you're looking to kick things up a notch, reach out to Philip Kuehn!
- check_circleVerified
Philip provided me with a string arrangement that consisted of audio parts, midi files and written parts. The arrangement was top-notch and well-thought-out. I would recommend Philip to anyone who wants a great professional job.
- check_circleVerified
Phil is a great musician and was great to work with - he had 3 takes of a superb bass line to me in no time at all. I can highly recommend him and look forward to working with him in the future.
- check_circleVerified
Philip Kuehn is an absolute master on the bass and a joy to work with! Whether you need upright or electric, jazz or pop or rock, he’s got you covered. Very highly recommended!!
check_circleVerifiedVery good. Goes above and beyond.
check_circleVerifiedPhillip is great to work with, completely nailed the track on the first try in a timely manner .....
- check_circleVerified
He is a cool sincere performer. I am so glad to find him!!! Our collaboration will continue!!!
- check_circleVerified
Philip is so wonderful! Great communication, work finished in a timely manner, and great quality! Looking forward to working together again in the future. :)
- check_circleVerified
Philip provided me with three versions with varying feels, allowing to compare, pic and chose from varying, but tasteful approaches to the same musical piece.
check_circleVerifiedPhil is a master of his craft and delivered a fantastic arrangement for my quartet. Communication with him was smooth as well and those two aspects combined made it an absolute pleasure to work with him.
I'd definitely recommend putting your musical ideas in his hand 😊- check_circleVerified
Phil has been for me - the ultimate bass player with a high level of professionalism. For my song he presented me with various wonderful takes, tones and patterns. I wish I could have used all of them. Thank you Phil!
Interview with Philip Kuehn
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I recently recorded bass on Disney/Pixar's Soul. My bass playing represents 85% of the onscreen and incidental bass playing. This was a 4 hour session where we recorded all the songs in one take. It was fun!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Producing/Arranging two albums
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I like both! They both have benefits
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: They often ask for contrasting takes. I say “yes”!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Philip Lassiter! Trumpet player and Arranger. Killer!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will treat their project as a unique entity, and make sure I "nail" whatever vibe their music calls for. My main priority is that my work matches the purpose of their project.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Music is an outlet for life expression!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That it is not work!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What goal do you have for your music? What sound are you going for? What is the intention?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Know that I will put in the time to get it right.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Upright Bass, Fretless Godin Bass, Ernie Ball Stingray, Apollo Twin Duo, Laptop, M-Audio Axiom mini-32 (I know that's 6!)
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been playing, recording and arranging for 20 years professionally. I've been teaching professionally for 8 years.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Straight ahead jazz, Soul, Funk, Gospel, Lush Strings and Horns.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Many! Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Tori Kelly, Kirk Franklin, Bruno Mars.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Aim for quality over quantity.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Jazz, Soul, Social Music, Gospel, etc.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Bass playing and arranging.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Creative, soulful and grooving basslines. For arranging - lush, smooth, full and contrasting harmonies, lines and voicings.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I am a perfectionist. I don't like to send work back until it's the way I want it to be. That said - I work hard until the job is done.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I use an AKG C414 XL mic to record upright bass. I run the mic through a Universal Audio Apollo Twin Duo Interface and record the electric/fretless bass either direct through that interface, or through an Aguilar ToneHammer Preamp first. I can also record electric bass amplified through a microphone.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Bass: Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Paul Chambers, Jaco Pastorius, Pino Palladino, Marcus Miller
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Record bass tracks (electric and upright) and arrange for strings, horns and choir
I was the Bassist in this production
- Beginning to See The Light by Cyrille Aimee
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Jon Batiste
- Hark the Herald Angels Sing by Jon Batiste
- Bass UprightAverage price - $200 per song
- String ArrangerContact for pricing
- Bass FretlessAverage price - $200 per song
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $200 per song
- Composer OrchestralContact for pricing
Turnaround (depending on schedule)
Bass: 1-3 business days
Arranging: 1-2 weeks depending on size/scope
*Credit must be listed on physical project & online
*Price doesn't include SoundBetter fees
- 1950’s Juzek Upright Bass
- Ernie Ball Music Man Sting Ray 5 Electric Bass (Low B)
- Godin Semi Acoustic 5 String Fretless Bass Guitar
- 4 String 1980 Fender Squire Jazz Bass Guitar
- 4 String Piccolo Bass
- AKG C414 XL
- Universal Audio Apollo Twin Duo
I will do my best to accommodate your budget and timeline!
