2x Grammy nominated Bassists w/ Lalah Hathaway, Me'shell N'degeocello, NKOTB, Pieces Of A Dream, Phillip Bailey, Scritti Politti, Maysa, Micheal Franks and many more artists.
Solo recording artist/pro bassist/songwriter who has recorded and toured with national artists spanning genres of gospel, jazz, latin, funk, pop, rock and blues. Always doing what is best for the music and what the recording calls for. Also known for creating my own unique bass technique "mutepicking".
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Credits
Interview with David Dyson
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I usually request a stereo track mp3 of the demo with demo bass if possible as well as a stereo mp3 without bass. Then I listen to the track from start to finish first to get an idea of the feel and form. At that time I am developing bass ideas and dynamics for the song. Then I start tracking with the track that is without bass. I will then send you a rough mix with my bass to approve or request changes or addendums. After approval I send the bass wave file via 'Dropbox" or "We Transfer" to your email to download.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To provide the best bass line that I can for their song and have it done in a minimal amount of time.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My Skjold signature 5 string, Skjold 5 string fretless, Wayne Jones Audio preamp and two 2 x 10 Wayne Jones Audio cabs
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I grew up recording bass tracks for local and national gospel and jazz artists at age 14 . Then went off to Berklee College to grow as a musician/producer. I met professor Walter Beasley there and started performing and shooting music videos with 2 of his projects. Then I got the call to audition for the producer of New Kids On The Block and got the gig as musical director as well and toured the world with them for 3 and a half years. Then I started touring and recording with a plethora of international and national artists and have been ever since.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: My work on Phillip Bailey's "Soul On Jazz" , Scritti Politti's "Anomie Bonhomie", and the grammy nominations for Tim Hagans' "Animation/Imagination" and Hagans/ Belden Band- "Re Animation Live. Also, I Just sent bass tracks to artists Najee, Maysa, Pieces Of A Dream and Jeanette Harris to go to mix and ve mastered. I am also a composer/producer of those tracks.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Currently working on original tracks for national and upcoming artists as well as my bext solo artist project.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Patrick Cooper -keyboardist
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. Of course I love the warmth of analog but In these times... technology can warm up digital and it is clean.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Music is my passion. It is it's own reward.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I am only a funk bass player. I am well versed in jazz, fusion, latin and reggae as well.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What genre is the song in? Do they have a recorded example of the type of bassline they want? What bass style are you looking for on the particular song?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Know what you want and need. Also hire someone that truly knows the genre your song is in to maintain authenticity.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Groove oriented, rhythmic, syncopated bass lines with feeling.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Groove oriented Smooth jazz, funk, pop, contemporary jazz & gospel
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Coming up with uniquely creative bass lines that take your song to another level.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring feel and life to your song with a bass feel and line that the song deserves. If you need a fresh bew bass line or just can't come up with one. I can do that for you but that also requires me to receive a percentage of songwriters if I am creating the bass line. Funk /slap bass solos , mutepicking solos, or melodic expressive solos are also available to clients for their projects.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Simple set up. I use Logic Pro for recording /sequencing and go direct with bass but sometimes use my Avalon U5 pre amp as well. I use my trusty Apogee Duet for my primary digital/ Audio interface. Basswise...I have a collection of Skjold, MTD, Tobias and Bass Mods basses as well as custom Skjold and MTD fretless basses
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Quincy Jones, Marcus Miller, Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Smooth jazz, contemporary jazz, soul, funk, and gospel
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Just sent bass tracks to artists Najee, Maysa, Pieces Of A Dream and Jeanette Harris to go to mix and ve mastered. I am also a composer/producer of those tracks.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Currently working on original tracks for national and upcoming artists as well as my bext solo artist project.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Patrick Cooper -keyboardist
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. Of course I love the warmth of analog but In these times... technology can warm up digital and it is clean.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Music is my passion. It is it's own reward.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I am only a funk bass player. I am well versed in jazz, fusion, latin and reggae as well.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What genre is the song in? Do they have a recorded example of the type of bassline they want? What bass style are you looking for on the particular song?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Know what you want and need. Also hire someone that truly knows the genre your song is in to maintain authenticity.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Groove oriented, rhythmic, syncopated bass lines with feeling.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Groove oriented Smooth jazz, funk, pop, contemporary jazz & gospel
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Coming up with uniquely creative bass lines that take your song to another level.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring feel and life to your song with a bass feel and line that the song deserves. If you need a fresh bew bass line or just can't come up with one. I can do that for you but that also requires me to receive a percentage of songwriters if I am creating the bass line. Funk /slap bass solos , mutepicking solos, or melodic expressive solos are also available to clients for their projects.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I usually request a stereo track mp3 of the demo with demo bass if possible as well as a stereo mp3 without bass. Then I listen to the track from start to finish first to get an idea of the feel and form. At that time I am developing bass ideas and dynamics for the song. Then I start tracking with the track that is without bass. I will then send you a rough mix with my bass to approve or request changes or addendums. After approval I send the bass wave file via 'Dropbox" or "Send It" to your email to download.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Simple set up. I use Logic Pro for recording /sequencing and go direct with bass but sometimes use my Avalon U5 pre amp as well. I use my trusty Apogee Duet for my primary digital/ Audio interface. Basswise...I have a collection of Skjold, MTD, Tobias and Bass Mods basses as well as custom Skjold and MTD fretless basses
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Quincy Jones, Marcus Miller, Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Smooth jazz, contemporary jazz, soul, funk, and gospel
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $200 per song
- Bass FretlessAverage price - $200 per song
- Beat MakerAverage price - $400 per song
2 revisions allowed. Turnaround time typically 1-2 days, but can be up to 3 days depending on how busy.
