Basseducation Podcasts

In the 1990s Brooklyn, New York emerged as the epicenter of artistic creativity and innovation. Author Cisco Bradley discusses his new book The Williamsburg Avant Garde: Experimental Music and Sound on The Brooklyn Waterfront (Duke University Press) with hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli and special guest artist Linus Coraggio. If you are intere…

From his home in Brooklyn, avant-garde jazz saxophonist / composer / recording and performing artist Tim Berne joins Notes From An Artist hosts / bassists David C. Gross and Tom Semioli to discuss his expansive body of work, life as an artist in the 21st Century, and how his DIY ethos has served him well not only as a musician who manages his own c…

Declaration of Warr with Jason Blake: Hosts / bassist David C. Gross and Tom Semioli talk with Chicago based Warr guitarist Jason Blake about his work with instrumental techno-prog metal collective Aziola Cry, progressive rock trio Backward Sky Falling, his solo endeavors, and baseball. A Conversation with Jason Blake Playlist…

A Portrait of Pastorius. Hosts/bassists David C. Gross and Tom Semioli free form on the topic of one the world’s most innovative and beloved bassists: the late, great Jaco Pastorius. Had Jaco lived, where would he have taken the instrument? Six strings and beyond? Get in on the conversation! Jaco Only Needed 4 Strings and Other BS Playlist…

Five world-class bassists and returning guests: Ron Carter (Miles Davis), Larry Grenadier (Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny), Garry Karr, Dave Swift (Later...with Jools Holland), and Benny Rietveld (Santana, Miles Davis, Sheila E.) join hosts/bassists David C. Gross and Tom Semioli to discuss the state of the instrument and other topics pertaining to the …

Hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli talk with author/musician Bill Janovitz (Buffalo Tom) and The Church studio owner Teresa Knox about the definitive biography of legendary musician, composer, and performer Leon Russell - The Master of Space and Time's Journey Through Rock and Roll History on Hachette Books The Teresa Knox and Bill Janovitz Playl…

A Tribute to Burt Bacharach, Jeff Beck, and David Crosby. The last in our series, hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli ruminate o’er the collective canon of three music icons who passed in 2023. This episode focuses on David Crosby of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in all their permutations. David Crosby Playlist…

A Tribute to Burt Bacharach, Jeff Beck, and David Crosby. Hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli ruminate o’er the collective canon of three music icons who passed in 2023. Part 2 discusses the legacy of Jeff Beck! A Tribute to Jeff BeckBy David C Gross and Tom Semioli

A Tribute to Burt Bacharach, Jeff Beck, and David Crosby. Hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli ruminate o’er the collective canon of three music icons who passed in 2023, beginning with composer/arranger / recording artist / bon vivant Burt Bacharach. The Music of Burt Bacharach PlaylistBy David C Gross and Tom Semioli

Hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli converse with the author of Saxophone Colossus: The Life and Music of Sonny Rollins which is the first full biography of the legendary musician / composer, chronicling the story of a freedom fighter and spiritual seeker whose life has been as much of a thematic improvisation as his music! A Conversation With Aid…

Author, historian, and bassist Paul Steinbeck joins hosts/bassists David C. Gross and Tom Semioli to discuss the book Sound Experiments: The Music of the AACM. Founded on Chicago’s South Side in 1965 and still thriving today, the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) is the most influential collective organization in jazz and…

Author, historian, and bassist Paul Steinbeck joins hosts / bassists David C. Gross and Tom Semioli to discuss the book Sound Experiments: The Music of the AACM. Founded on Chicago’s South Side in 1965 and still thriving today, the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) is the most influential collective organization in jazz a…

Hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli converse with the author of Saxophone Colossus: The Life and Music of Sonny Rollins which is the first full biography of the legendary musician/composer, chronicling the story of a freedom fighter and spiritual seeker whose life has been as much of a thematic improvisation as his music! A Conversation With Aidan…

Author, journalist (Wall Street Journal), and blog innovator (www.JazzWax.com) Marc Myers returns to discuss his latest book, Anatomy of 55 More Songs: The Oral History of Top Hits That Changed Rock, Pop and Soul (2022 Grove Press). Anatomically correct hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli review Myers' esteemed song list, discuss the roles of the …

Hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli grapple with the irascible founder of one of rock’s greatest ensembles. Anderson ruminates o’er Tull’s glorious past, the music industry, and his latest version of the band sans Martin Barre. The hosts review Tull’s blues origins and emergence as a prog rock band in the 1970s. The Ian Anderson Playlist…

Loved Him Live! A Discussion of Rolling Stones Bassist Bill Wyman. Hosts / bassists David C. Gross and Tom Semioli debate the best on-stage recordings of Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman, prompted by the 2022 archival concert release El Mocambo 1977. The Bill Wyman Dissertation Playlist

Director Toby Amies takes hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli behind-the-scenes of his latest documentary: In The Court of The Crimson King: King Crimson at 50. Amies, a former bass player, recognizes David and Tom as informed "musos!" The Toby Amies PlaylistBy David C Gross and Tom Semioli

Legendary guitarist, composer, recording artist, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and longstanding member of the classic lineup of Genesis - Steve Hackett discusses his career, thoughts on how The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway usurped the punks, and his Genesis Revisited repertory ensemble. With hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli. The Steve Hackett Play…

Author Mitchell Cohen returns to NOTES FROM AN ARTIST to discuss his latest tome entitled “Looking For The Magic - NYC, The ’70s & The Rise of Arista Records” (Trouser Press Books). An acclaimed journalist, and former A & R exec (among other titles) at Arista, Cohen tells the story of one recorded music’s most important, innovative, and culturally …

Author Mitchell Cohen returns to NOTES FROM AN ARTIST to discuss his latest tome entitled “Looking For The Magic - NYC, The ’70s & The Rise of Arista Records” (Trouser Press Books). An acclaimed journalist, and former A & R exec (among other titles) at Arista, Cohen tells the story of one recorded music’s most important, innovative, and culturally …

Dave Pomeroy's "State of the Union" Address. Legendary Nashville bassist and longtime President of the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM 257 discusses how the union is adapting to major changes in the recording industry. Dave also ruminates over his career and the icons he has worked with for the past four decades. The Dave Pomeroy Playlist…

Listen to a series of revealing John Lennon stories hitherto untold – until now. In this riveting interview, attorney - author Jay Bergen recalls his time representing the former Beatle in 1975 in his case against Mafia-connected record mogul Morris Levy. Levy bullied Lennon, releasing an unauthorized album entitled “Roots” – which forced John to h…

A Conversation with John Altman: "You cut the cloth to fit the suit!" You know his music (George Michael, Monty Python, James Bond, Simple Minds, Rod Stewart, Prefab Sprout, Tina Turner & Barry White, Diana Ross, Bjork….to cite a scant few) but likely, not his name. Dubbed “Hidden Man” by Python member Terry Gillam, John Altman is an Emmy award win…

Hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli converse with author / journalist (Wall Street Journal) / blogger Marc Myers. His latest book is entitled “Rock Concert: An Oral History As Told by the Artists, Backstage Insiders, and Fans Who Were There!” Myers discusses the evolution of the rock concert as we know it, and points towards the future of live per…

He's a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer as a guitarist / producer / composer with the Patti Smith Group. A recording artist, noted journalist (Crawdaddy, Rolling Stone, Creem, Melody Maker), record store clerk (Village Oldies) and archivist/curator for the iconic American garage rock music compilation "Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychede…

“It takes three bass players to add up to one singer!” Hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli converse with singer-songwriter Kate Taylor and her esteemed bassist Leland Sklar. Kate’s new album, aptly titled WHY WAIT! features many of the same players from her iconic 1971 bow SISTER KATE, including producer Peter Asher, drummer Russ Kunkel, guitarist…

His versatility as a bassist is incomparable, anchoring tours and/or albums by Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Buddy Rich, Peter Frampton, Gotye, Carly Simon, Judy Collins, Paula Cole, Chuck Mangione, Steven Wilson, James Taylor, Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe to cite a select few. An innovator on electr…

Hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli converse with author / journalist (Wall Street Journal) / blogger Marc Myers. His latest book is entitled “Rock Concert: An Oral History As Told by the Artists, Backstage Insiders, and Fans Who Were There!” Myers discusses the evolution of the rock concert as we know it, and points towards the future of live per…

A Conversation with Lizzie Edwards: It was pretty impossible for Lizzie Edwards to avoid a career in music. Her grandfather was an opera singer, her grandmother was a classical harpsichordist, and her father was a sideman for various artists including Chuck Berry, and was in a band himself. Throw in a childhood soundtrack including everyone from Ly…

Composer, Educator, Champan Stick / Warr Guitarist, recording artist, producer, and entrepreneur, Trey Gunn is known to the masses for his tenure in King Crimson from 1994 through 2003. However there’s more to Trey than his work with Robert Fripp: Gunn has authored three score books, and helms a media company in Seattle: 7d among other endeavors. T…

"We are an artist driven label which refuses to be labeled!" The role of the indie record company imprint in popular music cannot be understated. From garage rock to modern jazz - independent labels have nurtured artists who continue to make a tremendous impact on the masses. Enter Tor Hansen and Glenn Dicker; founders of Yep Roc. Among the giants …

Art has to always be indefinable!” Artist, Author, Educator Gene Wisniewski discusses topics from his book “The Art of Looking at Art” (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers) with hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli. Gene, David, and Tom note the distinct similarities between musicians and fine artists. "Anything can be art, and then you manifest it!" T…

Composer, Educator, Champan Stick / Warr Guitarist, recording artist, producer, and entrepreneur, Trey Gunn is known to the masses for his tenure in King Crimson from 1994 through 2003. However there’s more to Trey than his work with Robert Fripp: Gunn has authored three score books, and helms a media company in Seattle: 7d among other endeavors. T…

"Music is a natural state of mind!" David and Tom converse with composer, arranger, conductor, pianist/vibraphonist, educator, and author Karl Berger. The maestro's collaborations include Jeff Buckley, Natalie Merchant, Bill Laswell, Sly & Robbie, Don Cherry, John McLaughlin and Pharoah Sanders to cite a few. Berger is also the founder and director…

“The plan was…I had no plan!” Photographer / author Bob Gruen’s images have forged an indelible mark on the artform of rock and roll. Spanning such artists as John Lennon & Yoko Ono, The Clash, Ike & Tina Turner, New York Dolls, Rolling Stones, Kiss, and Led Zeppelin to cite a select few, Gruen takes us behind -the- scenes on a rollercoaster ride o…

“The plan was…I had no plan!” Photographer / author Bob Gruen’s images have forged an indelible mark on the artform of rock and roll. Spanning such artists as John Lennon & Yoko Ono, The Clash, Ike & Tina Turner, New York Dolls, Rolling Stones, Kiss, and Led Zeppelin to cite a select few, Gruen takes us behind -the- scenes on a rollercoaster ride o…

Among the elite drummers on stage and in the recording studio, Chris Parker reflects on a career that spans jazz, rock, funk, folk, blues, and permutations thereof. Hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli delve deep into Chris’ work with Stuff, and how that ensemble came to define the sound of 1970s New York City. And Chris continues to make history o…

Among the elite drummers on stage and in the recording studio, Chris Parker reflects on a career that spans jazz, rock, funk, folk, blues, and permutations thereof. Hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli delve deep into Chris’ work with Stuff, and how that ensemble came to define the sound of 1970s New York City. And Chris continues to make history o…

She is the voice of the “orchestral” rock collective Renaissance which came to great prominence in the 1970s along with such progressive ensembles including Genesis, Yes, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, The Strawbs and Gentle Giant. A spirited conversationalist, Annie shares tales of her career as a fashion designer on Saville Row; studies with opera si…

What do Canned Heat, Spirit, Jo Jo Gunne, Heart, Chris Hillman, Firefall, Dan Fogelberg, Stevie Nicks, Joe Walsh, Kelly Willis, Alejandro Escovdeo, and Ian McLagan have in common? Bassist Mark Andes! From his Texas home, Mark affords NOTES FROM AN ARTIST a candid interview on his career including his thoughts on; Led Zeppelin’s “appropriation” of a…

Few classical bassists have forged a career comparable to Gary Karr. A virtuoso, recording artist, and educator – Karr founded the International Society of Bassists in 1967. His groundbreaking performances as a solo bassist have inspired generations of players spanning rock, jazz, classical and experimental, to cite a few. An artist who incorporate…

Few classical bassists have forged a career comparable to Gary Karr. A virtuoso, recording artist, and educator – Karr founded the International Society of Bassists in 1967. His groundbreaking performances as a solo bassist have inspired generations of players spanning rock, jazz, classical and experimental, to cite a few. An artist who incorporate…

Among the most iconic and recognizable voices in the history of popular music, Zombies lead singer and recording artist Colin Blunstone discusses the band’s sixty-year legacy along with their future plans. From his London home, Colin shares anecdotes from recording sessions past, the good fortune he’s enjoyed throughout his career, and enthuses ove…

Bassist, Author, Clinician, Podcast Host, Composer, Conductor, Blogger, Vlogger, Video Personality …those are just a scant few of Jason Heath’s titles. A master player, you’d be hard-pressed to encounter an individual who exudes more enthusiasm for the instrument and what Notes From An Artist refers to as “the big M” – i.e., music! Heath’s humor an…

Self-taught and greatly inspired by Charles Mingus and British and American rhythm and blues, Percy Jones plies his craft with a repertoire of glissandos, harmonics, and three-finger riffage, among other techniques, in his work as a jazz-fusion prog-rock master. A composer, arranger, sideman, collaborator, multi-instrumentalist, and solo recording …

From his home in Swindon England, XTC co-founder and bassist Colin Moudling discusses his new single / video “The Hardest Battle,” his influences, and reflects on his career in one of the most influential bands in the history of rock and roll. Colin Moulding PlaylistBy David C Gross and Tom Semioli

Why are older music fans (and musicians) having a hard time grasping contemporary music? Among the many topics trumpeter / composer / recording artist / educator / producer / journalist Ben Neill discusses with hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli include the emerging role (and popularity) of timbre in modern pop compositions and recordings in comp…

Why are older music fans (and musicians) having a hard time grasping contemporary music? Among the many topics trumpeter / composer / recording artist / educator / producer / journalist Ben Neill discusses with hosts David C. Gross and Tom Semioli include the emerging role (and popularity) of timbre in modern pop compositions and recordings in comp…

Vinyl aficionados rejoice! Authors Sal Maida (Roxy Music, Sparks) and acclaimed veteran rock scribe and former major label executive Mitchell Cohen discuss their new book THE WHITE LABEL PROMO PRESERVATION SOCIETY: 100 FLOP ALBUMS YOU OUGHT TO KNOW (HoZac Books 2021) with host David C. Gross and Tom Semioli. A collection of essays by Maida, Cohen, …

Vinyl aficionados rejoice! Authors Sal Maida (Roxy Music, Sparks) and acclaimed veteran rock scribe and former major label executive Mitchell Cohen discuss their new book THE WHITE LABEL PROMO PRESERVATION SOCIETY: 100 FLOP ALBUMS YOU OUGHT TO KNOW (HoZac Books 2021) with host David C. Gross and Tom Semioli. A collection of essays by Maida, Cohen, …