Session Bass Player

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I played bass on Ziggy Marley's new kids album "More Family Time Volume 2" The songs were super uplifting and fun, but also really offered a great message for kids. Guests included Ben Harper, Cheryl Crow, Angelique Kidju, Alanis Morissette and many others.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What does this song mean to you and what is the feeling you are trying to convey?

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I would love to write a song with Adele. She is an amazing artist and one of the best songwriters today singing and writing from the heart.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm writing music for a TV show

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: I haven't looked around enough to know yet.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. They are both part of the recording landscape now and I think the combination of the two is the best.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: That I will do whatever I can to make your song great and make you love it!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love working with all different types of talented and creative people from all over the world.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Can you play something like this? (musical example) Almost always, "yes!"

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That I can only play in certain genres. I'm pretty versatile.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Try to express what you are looking for. Don't be afriad to offer examples of other basslines or tracks that you love.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: 60s Fender Precision Bass. Hofner Bass. Acoustic Guitar, A Piano, Ampeb B15

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I've been doing this for 35 years. I moved to LA from Philly in 1991. I played in bands, ended up writing "I Try" with Macy Gray, toured with her for years and then became a session musician , songwriter, and film composer here in LA

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: In the pocket

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I like to work at home, because I can really get into a song, play it over and over until I'm really inside it. I don't get this luxury in a recording studio.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Soul Music, Dance Music, Pop, R & B, Reggae, Hip Hop

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Making a song feel great and satisfying the client.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Feeling, energy, groove, love of music and decades of experience.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: A client will send me tracks and describe what they are looking for bass wise. I will play takes and send them back.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a wide range of basses from vintage to modern. Same with effect pedals, large range from vintage to current. I record through super high fidelity vintage Focusrite mic pres, vintage DBX compressor, Avalon DI Box and vintage Ampeg B15

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: James Jamerson, Family Man Barrett, Pino Palledino. Dilla, Premier, Joh Coltrane, Stax Volt, Duck Dunn, Reggae Music

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I play bass on tracks sent to me by producers, artists, songwriters and composers.