Guitar and Bass Conversations

Music is a universal language, a thread that connects us all, and there’s something especially exciting about meeting a bass player from another part of the world.

Meet Ksenia Vasileva, bassist, sound designer, composer, and musical instrument maker, originally from Russia and now making waves in New York City. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Ksenia is fully immersed in the nonstop hustle that defines the life of a working b...

Coyote Theory released their latest album, Still, on March 14, and what better time to catch up with their talented bass player, Grayson Hendren?

This genre-bending alt-pop trio has been making music together since 2010, and they’ve continued to evolve, innovate, and push creative boundaries over the years. With their signature blend of emotional depth and vibrant energy, Still marks a powerful new chapter in their musical journey.

I...

Chip Z’nuff has been holding it down in the rock world for decades, and it’s always a good time catching up with someone who’s lived it and still brings the heat. I had the chance to talk with him just before the release of Enuff Z’nuff’s new album, Xtra Cherries. We got into everything, from his early days in the scene to what went into this latest record. If you’re a fan of classic rock with attitude and heart, you’re gonna want ...

I came across a heartfelt piece in People where bassist Amos Heller reflected on the ERAS Tour—a once-in-a-lifetime experience that left a deep and lasting impact on him.

Naturally, I was eager to speak with Amos, and he was kind enough to carve out time for this conversation.

In this interview, Amos opens up about his musical journey, how he crafts his signature sound, shares his thoughts on bass gear, offers behind-the-scenes insig...

I’m always excited to hear about bass players making waves on the radio charts, so it’s the perfect time to chat with Sam DeRose Jr., who’s been setting them on fire.

Sam recently recorded a series of songs at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios, and his latest single, “Sarah,” has been climbing the charts, hitting #3 on the Indie Charts, #13 on the Top 40, #24 on the Hot 100, and #41 on the Mediabase Top 40.

Join me as we dive into ...

Bob Bakert, Jazz Guitar Today editor: Pasquale Grasso is a virtuoso guitarist from Italy …  At the age of 36 he is a fixture on the scene in NYC, which in the words of Frank Sinatra, “if you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere”… He is simply one of the most accomplished guitarists on the scene today.  He plays with voicing and movement of a pianist, solos like a horn and is a complete like a musician in the best sense of the...

I always love meeting young bass players, as they represent the future of our beloved instrument.

Recently, we heard from Cara Richard, a dedicated bassist who has been playing for nearly two years. In that time, she’s been diligently learning a wide range of songs and sharing her progress on social media. As she embarks on what I hope will be a long and rewarding musical journey, I thought it would be great to hear directly from he...

I have known the very versatile Joseph Patrick Moore for a very long time and I have been following his exceptional work for many years.

If you’ve been keeping up, you may have noticed his latest endeavor, BassLessons.tv, a fantastic new bass education platform we highlighted just last month.

Currently, Joseph is holding down the low end and serving as Assistant Musical Director for Cirque du Soleil’s Las Vegas production of Mystère.

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If you are a fan of Ska/Punk/Reggae, you are eagerly awaiting the release of the Kilograms’ new album “Beliefs & Thieves”, due to be released on April 4th of this year.

Behind every high-energy band, is a talented bass player… and for the Kilograms, that would be Joe Gittleman.

Join me as we hear about Joe’s musical journey, how he gets his sound, the whole Kilograms story, and their plans for the future.

This interview first appe...

Derek Jones and I go way back—think Myspace days! We’d been in touch for quite a while before finally meeting up at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to catch the Cirque du Soleil masterpiece, KA, about fourteen years ago. Luckily, we scored some exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and got an inside look at Derek’s journey during that time.

Flash forward to today, and Derek has been holding it down on bass for KA for over two decades, crus...

I was recently introduced to an incredible project by The Funeral Portrait called Greetings From Suffocate City, and it instantly caught my attention. It was so intriguing that I had to chat with their bassist, Robert Weston. Since forming in 2014, the band has been pouring their heart into their music... and this latest project feels like the powerful culmination of all those years of hard work and dedication.

Join me as we hear ab...

I’ve always loved listening to Bluegrass music, and I especially enjoy chatting with their bass players. Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ronnie Simpkins, the bassist for The Seldom Scene, a renowned Bluegrass band from Bethesda, MD.

The band just released their new album, “Remains to Be Scene,” in March 2025 (available on Amazon.com).

Join me as we hear all about Ronnie’s musical journey, how he gets his sound, details ...

The Yellowjackets are celebrating their 50th anniversary as a band and their bassist, Dane Alderson, has been with them for almost a decade. Together, this band is an iconic pillar of musicality in the Jazz community. They have been massively prolific over the years, and they are releasing their twenty-seventh album, “Fasten Up,” later this month.

Join me as we hear about Dane’s musical journey, how he came to play with the Yellowja...