Ross Kratter on SoundBetter

I am a bass player and arranger who has worked with countless legendary artists in jazz, musical theater, pop, doo wop, and much, much more. I perform regularly at Walt Disney World with various bands, and I frequently arrange music for Disney events. I have had my own jazz orchestra since 2010, for which I am the primary composer and arranger.

Originally from New York and now residing in Orlando, Ross Kratter performs on double bass, electric bass, fretless bass, synth bass, and tuba, and also works as a composer and arranger. A bandleader since age 10 and performing professionally since age 14, he has performed with such luminaries as Joshua Redman, Joey Fatone of NSYNC, Shawn Stockman and Wanyá Morris of Boyz II Men, Jay Siegel's Tokens, Bob Reynolds, Alex Sipiagin, Gil Goldstein, Badal Roy, Dave Pietro, Victor Wooten, the Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet, and many more. He was the bass player on the First National Tour of Bandstand, the 2018 US and Canada tour of A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage, and the 2016-2017 national tour of Fame the Musical. For six years he worked onboard cruise ships, and served as Musical Director and Bandleader for Cunard Line and P&O Cruises.
Since 2010, Ross has led the Ross Kratter Jazz Orchestra, a large jazz ensemble comprised of some of New York's finest players, playing exclusively original compositions and arrangements.
In 2018, Ross released his debut album, It's Time, featuring legendary saxophonist Bob Franceschini, along with his longtime working quartet.
An extremely in-demand arranger, Ross has arranged music for various Disney events, as well as for headliners globally.
Ross has studied under Victor Wooten, Mike Richmond, Felix Pastorius, Steve Bailey

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Credits

2 Reviews

Endorse Ross Kratter

by Sam Gautier
What can I really say to convey the incredible talent and humility of this absolute monster player, writer, and arranger. I've worked with Ross in many, many different musical situations over the past 15 years and every single time it feels great, is genuine, is creative, is appropriate, is classy, and just leaves me feeling wonderful. He is a consummate professional--I couldn't recommend anyone more highly than him. Book him!!
by Brian Chabza (Violin)
Ross is world class all around. He did a great job playing fretless bass on my original instrumental album. He brought all the songs he recorded on to a whole new level and he did it with ease! Also a fantastic performer on all things bass. Very inspiring musician to work with and a great guy I’m proud to call a friend.

Interview with Ross Kratter

Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Being a full time musician is the greatest thing in the world. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What kind of sound are you going for on this project? Who are your influences?
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I am all about serving the song, whatever it takes.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don’t put compression on bass!
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I play double and electric basses and arrange.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I do not put my name on anything that is less than perfect. Period, end of story.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My double bass, my Fodera and Warwick electric basses, and my Phil Jones Bass head and cabinet
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I began playing professionally at age 14. I have done every kind of gig - from bars to arenas.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: My all time dream would be to one day play with James Taylor. I learned about time, feel, groove, and so much more by playing along to his music as a child. He is perhaps my favorite musician of all time.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I primarily play jazz, singer-songwriter, musical theater, pop, rock, and Motown.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My ears.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I will find the absolute best bass part for your song, on the right instrument with the right sound.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a vintage double bass, lots of great electric basses, an amazing fretless, all the pedals and everything you could possibly want. I have MOTU and Focusrite interfaces and record into Logic. For double bass, I typically use a combination of three different microphones.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: So many. On double bass, I want my time to be like Ray Brown and my solos to be like Eddie Gomez. On electric bass, my all time hero is Jimmy Johnson; no one plays like him. As an arranger/orchestrator, I am hugely inspired by Thad Jones and Bob Brookmeyer on the jazz side of things, as well as Don Sebesky, Jonathan Tunick, Harold Wheeler, and so many others.