Mario Sangermano on SoundBetter

Credits: Worked in the studio with Chester Thompson - drummer for Genesis, Weather Report, and Phil Collins (with my instrumental project). Also worked with legendary producer, Michael Omartian - Christopher Cross, Rod Stewart Donna Summer, Amy Grant, (with the Annie Moses band). My playing style ranges from solid pocket to fretless melodic.

Hi. My name is Mario Sangermano, I'm a fretted and fretless bass player in Nashville, Tn. My primary service is electric bass, fretted and fretless. I have over 30 years experience playing sessions and touring with some of the top players and producers in the industry. I specialize in laying down the groove, or giving you a beautiful melodic fretless line, what ever the song requires. I've toured and recorded with, The Annie Moses band, Avalon, ( which I received a ''Gold Record'' for their album '' In A Different Light''), Crystal Lewis, ( Live at the Woodlands), CCM artists - Twila Paris, Michael OBrian, Steve Green, Clay Crosse, and many others.
I've performed at the Grand Ole Opry , the Ryman Auditorium, Carnegie Hall, and Austin City Limits, and performing Arts Centers and Arenas across the country and the world.
I've played on jingles for Chevy, Dodge, Avia, Tony Romas Pizza, and Burlington Coat Factory.

I have a wide range of styles I can play in for any project: anything from pop, rock, jazz, blues, country, and progressive rock.

I sight read music: written notation, chord charts, and number charts.

If you would like to hear other sessions, by various artists that I played bass on, please contact me via
basswaves3@yahoo.com and I can direct you where to listen.

You can also contact me through this same email about playing on your songs.

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

Credits

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Interview with Mario Sangermano

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I got to record with famed producer Michael Omartian with a band I was working with as a hired gun. He was the first major producer and I got to set up next to him in the control room, since he played piano on tunes we were doing. My role was bass player. And it was crazy odd meter music and he liked what I did.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: II just finished a bass instructional book that will be out on Amazon April 27th 2026. I'm also recording instrumental music that I composed, and shopping for a sync license.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Roy Vogt - Bass. Tony Morra- Drums.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I think they both offer good and better takes on the sound of music. Either way for me.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That I will give them to the best of my ability what they want in a timely professional manner.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love playing bass. Its that simple. I love recording and creating sound and how the bass paints a picture in the song. Playing and recording is like eating and sleeping to me. Its necessary and enjoyable.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: What gear do you have, I tell them. How fast can you get it done, I tell them the truth. I don't exaggerate one way or the other. What do you need from me. I tell them exactly what I need.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I'm not sure. I never really thought about that.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are you looking for? Do you have charts for me or do I make my own? How much of me do you want or do you have something specific you're looking for?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Be specific in what you want. The sound, style, tone, and what you want from me. How much of me do you want as opposed to telling me exactly what you want.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My 3 basses, amp, keyboard, and a bunch of charts to play. Oh and outlets so I could plug in somewhere. 😆
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started playing bass at 12 years old, playing in basement and garage bands. two years of music school in a Jazz and commercial Music program at 18 years old.Then many bands and beginning to record, and then professional playing from age 30, touring and session work in Nashville Tn. to this day. So 32 years professionally.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I would say, James Jamerson, meets Lee Sklar, meets Chris Squire, meets Guy Pratt.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: If I had my choice I would say Peter Gabriel, and King Crimson. Why? Because the freedom to be creative on those kind of songs would be a great joy!!
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: I would say, make sure one person is in charge who has the final say. Too many chiefs make for frustration and time wasted. Also allow the session players to have some freedom to create especially when you ask them to and then do the opposite. Be consistent and relax.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Mostly pop, rock, fusion, meaning songs that are a mix of pop, country, classical, jazz, odd meters etc... Almost anything. I worked in a band for 10 years that wrote those type of songs and recorded them as well.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is listening, which then dictates what I should play. My other skill is giving the client the bass line they want even if I'm thinking to myself, I don't think that's the best line, but that's what they want, so be happy and make them happy.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: What I bring to a song is a bass part that fits the song. The song is KING. I bring a bass line that is tight, solid and gives the song a solid foundation with the drummer. I also bring creativity that aligns with the feel the song needs , and the tone it needs. I bring years of instinct of knowing what and what not to play. Again, the song is KING and the client is in charge. This is their baby and its my job to make their baby sound good and make them happy, even if it means playing whole notes for the entire song.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: What I typically do after I receive the file is listen to the track and find out what the client is looking for and then decide on the technical process of what gear I'm going to use. Normally I'll choose between a P or J style bass, 4 or 5 string, and fretless if that is requested. Then I'll get set up and plugged into my Rupert Neve DI which comes out of my SSL 2+ Audio Interface. Sometimes I'll use my MB 15 combo amp if the client requests that. My DAW Is the PreSonus studio 6/2 Artist series. I will always ask the client necessary questions to make sure I'm understanding and giving them what they want. I'm always checking my tuning between takes or songs to make sure I'm consistently in tune from song to song. I usually record dry DI and let the client add later, any sounds or effects they want. I usually allow up to two revisions per song if needed.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My studio setup is pretty simple: iMac desk top computer macOs Sonoma 14.6.1 SSL 2+ Audio Interface GLYPH Atom EV SSD Rupert Neve DI Monster and Mogami cables Carvin MB 15 combo bass amp ( If client prefers an amplifier sound) Samson 80a studio monitors DAW- PreSonus studio 6/ 2 Artist series
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Other players that inspire are bassists, Lee Sklar, Nathan East, Will Lee, Tony Levin. Artists like Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, Genesis. Also much of the British invasion music of the 60's and 70's.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: The most common work I do is provide fretted and or fretless bass for the clients songs or compositions. I offer what they want for their project. I offer Ideas and suggestions if that's what they want from me.