Lannie Hilboldt on SoundBetter

I am a professional bassist with 45 years experience covering touring, session work and live theater work. My credits include Coco Montoya, Chris Duarte, Hal Ketchum, The Drifters, Archie Bell and the Drells, The Chiffons, The Tokens, Doyle Bramhall Sr, Tony Nominee Mary Bridgett Davies, Andrew Rannells and Grammy Winner Drew Womack.

My name is Lannie and I am a pro bassist/vocalist. I can record background tracks for you using my home studio consisting of LOGIC PRO X and Focusrite interfaces and Mac Studio. I can record 4 or 5 string electric bass, fretless electric bass or acoustic bass. My forte(s) are Country, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s Rock, R&B, Motown, Blues and Swing. I have been a guest artist with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and am currently tour with the Motortown Allstars. I also work with Pop Rock and Do Wop backing various artists from the 50's and 60's. I was bassist and Music Director for Legends in Concert from Las Vegas for 3 tours of Asia and have been a guest artist at the White House twice. I read very well and my desire is to create the bass part that you are hearing in your head, or if allowed to create a bass part that compliments your song.

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

Credits

Languages

English

10 Reviews

Endorse Lannie Hilboldt

by Ollie Sark
Verified
Absolutely brilliant working with Lannie - a true professional and amazingly talented musician. Really appreciated his contribution and advice which helped bring my song to life as anticipated. Look no further if you need an incredible bass player!
by Kathryn K.
Verified
Lannie is a very experienced bassist and it shows. He gives just what a song needs - not too much, not too little. I appreciated how he gave me several options to choose from on different basses. He really nails swing/jazz on the acoustic too. Thanks so much Lannie.
by Ellie Shattles
Lannie is the best bass player I've worked with in my 15+ years of music directing. He solos, he grooves, he lays down a tight bass line when you need it, and at the same time can play a beautiful, haunting bass melody. He is one of the fastest readers I've seen, and he always knows creatively how to improve the sound of my projects. Plus, he's actually a joy to work with - regardless of the rumors. If you want something original, creative, and most importantly, completed to your highest expectations, then hire Lannie Hilboldt. You will not be disappointed.
by Jonathan
I have worked with Lannie for over 20 years now and played numerous performances with him. Lannie is a fantastic bass player and a great musician. He can competently play a variety of styles and has a wonderful feel for each. In addition, when it comes to studio work, Lannie has solid skills which allow him to produce excellent recordings. Lannie is a solid musician I would be happy to work with at any time.
by Jonathan
I have worked with Lannie for over 20 years now and played numerous performances with him. Lannie is a fantastic bass player and a great musician. He can competently play a variety of styles and has a wonderful feel for each. In addition, when it comes to studio work, Lannie has solid skills which allow him to produce excellent recordings. Lannie is a solid musician I would be happy to work with at any time.
by Allen Robertson
Stop reading these reviews and contact Lannie. I've worked with him for decades and he makes every project sound and feel better. He is an absolute joy as a collaborator and a remarkable musician. If you need a solid foundation of groove or an electrifying, up-front solo or anything in between - He'll make any track sound better. He'll bring heart, life, soul and deep musicality to your track. I've been doing this for 35 years - he's the best of the best.
by Darrell Goldman
Lannie is a true professional! I work with Lannie regularly and his talent always shines through on every song he plays! He knows how to serve the song and as a Country artist, I find this to be very refreshing! Hire Lannie for your project and let your artistry be the best it can be!
by Karan Chavis
I am a singer songwriter who has had the absolute JOY of working with Lannie Hilboldt on many many projects. He is talented in ways that defy measure or description. He brings professionalism to every project. His competency as a musician is first class. He understands MANY genres and has a very creative mind and ear for what works. He improves recordings, performances...really anything he touches musically is greatly enhanced by his talents.
Lanni is on EVEYONES First Call list. Anyone who has an opportunity to work with him should grab the chance. He is phenomenal.
by Ed Kliman
Lannie is a pro’s pro. I’ve hired or worked alongside him on country, jazz, soul, rock, theatrical pit band and blues gigs and he’s always what ties the band together, whatever the situation.
by Mike Kosacek
I've worked multiple times with Lannie in both live and studio scenarios. He's always prepared and plays great too! Highly recommended!

Interview with Lannie Hilboldt

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Keith Fiala's CD Hommage. He is a trumpet player from Maynard Fergusons and Arturo Sandovals bands. I played bass on most of the tracks and helped with the mixing of the project. Mostly jazz funk. It came out really nice. The track FLY LIKE AN EAGLE that is here on my profile is from that.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Just finished a project for a man in Prague, and now moving on to learning the score for Jersey Boys that I will be performing for 5 weeks here.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Mike Kosacek is a very talented drummer and has a beautiful studio. He lives here and does alot of work for Soundbetter.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both, they nothing have their place in what we are doing today.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To do my best for them and their vision.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love, and breath playing music. I wouldn't have done it this long if I didn't. Because of music I have been able to travel, play the White House (twice) play with national artists, record and meet lifelong friends. I love this business with all its ups and MANY downs.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Usually about styles or sound. Again, I try and listen to them and what they are hearing inside and offer what I can to that track. Also, if I don't think I am the right person for the job I will offer to record one track for them to see if they like it and it fits, and if it doesn't then I am happy to bow out.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That is cookie cutter. Each song is different and I want to bring something special to each song I play on, I want the client to be happy.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Same as last question, what are you hearing, busy, laid back, acoustic, vocally do you want way in the background, a little more upfront etc.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Talk to us, give us your ideas that you are hearing in your head. When I write a song, I can almost hear it play out in my head. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't be open to our ideas, thats the fun of hiring someone you don't know, is hearing what they bring to your song, but give us some guidance.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Sadowsky 5 string, Taylor Acoustic, Aguilar Amp, IPAD 12.9 Pro filled with charts and MP3 files, a comfortable stool.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started as a trumpet player in NY, then picked up Guitar and also Bass making Bass my primary. I toured around the states playing with various groups settling in Texas where I have been a first call since 1984. I play for a professional theater here along with community theaters doing pit work. I play with a vast variety of bands, everything from Texas Swing to rock. Working here opened oppertunities playing at the White House, touring Japan, playing with Grammy winners etc. I have been playing and singing for 50 years.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Relaxed but funky, kind of percussive. I have had to work on playing longer tones for some of the country artists I work with because I play so much R&B and Soul where I tend to play more staccato, a little more busy.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Chaka Khan. Love her voice and music.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don't over produce the track. Sometimes less is more, and raw can be better. I hear so many tracks where there are layers upon layers of tracks filling every hole. Sometimes holes are good. They let the track breath.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I play alot of Motown, R&B, Soul, Swing and Country where I am.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Covering many different styles of music, and having good ears and a good feel.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Years of professional experience playing MANY different styles. Being a freelance musician or gun for hire as they refer to us, puts you in many different situations. One night I am playing 60's rock and roll, the next I am playing upright bass for a swing gig, then maybe a latin gig at a restaurant, then touring with a Motown horn band. Many times I don't get rehearsals, it's just here's the song and key and follow along. It really makes you listen to the song and to the other musicians, making me try harder to enhance what they are doing without over playing. Its not what you play, its what you don't.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Listen to the track a few times thru to get a feel for the song and sense of its flow, then chart out (if not provided), then I will run a few takes playing different styles and basses to the track till I find something that I feel compliments and captures what the artists desire is.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I use a Mac Studio with a Focusrite interface, Sennheiser and Shure mics, Logic Pro X with plugins, basses range from Sadowsky to Taylor, Fender, Ibanez and Englehart. Klotz (German) cables are my favorite.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Lee Sklar, Victor Wooten, Phil Collins, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Larry Graham, Bootsy Collins, Tower of Power, Earth Wind and Fire, Restless Heart, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis.....
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Providing bass and background vocals. I also write shows, music direct and direct shows. My forte is coming in at the last minute, having very good ears and listening to what the client wants and needs.