Contrabass Conversations

Lorraine Campet is recognized as one of the most talented double bassists of her generation. A passionate musician who embraces her profession fully, she thrives equally in chamber music, orchestral performance, and sharing her passion for the violin and double bass.

She recently released her debut album Ames soeurs...

In this mini episode, we explore tonal comparisons of mutes crafted from various woods with Sienna George. Be sure to follow Sienna on Instagram and check out her past podcast appearance from 2022.

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Acclaimed double bassist and composer Xavier Foley recently made his recital debut at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. During his visit, he generously made time to chat for the podcast and brought his bass along to perform.

In this episode, we explore Xavier's background, compositional process, and much more. ...

Double bassist and educator Kate Jones has just published her first book. Titled "Scotland Through the (St)Ages," this resource explores the concept of deep review through a familiar and simple tune—presenting 84 variations on the classic melody "Scotland's Burning."

We explore the inspiration behind this book, the creative process of putti...

Katie Thiroux recently released "Always but Never Alone," her first solo album featuring voice and bass. This intimate recording explores a wide array of genres through creative and diverse arrangements. We delve into the story behind the album, motherhood, and much more in this episode.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out "Always but Never Alo...

Jacob Warren and Grant Flick have been performing as the duo project Warren & Flick for the past 10 years.

Warren & Flick have just released their third duo album, Cormorant. While the physical album is available now, they're rolling out the digital release from June t...

Kostas Patsiotis has an upcoming solo bass album "Childhood Heroes" and recently released "This Moment," his first instrumental single from it.

We talk about his use of looping, various technical setups to perform live, his desire to incorporate more Mediterranean sounds, and much more. Be sur...

Chris Minh Doky is a world-renowned bassist, bandleader, and composer celebrated for his melodic solos and deeply funky bass lines. His rich sound, innovative approach, and pioneering work with the electric upright bass have earned him global recognition.

He is also a course creator for Discover Double Bass and has ...

Michael Geib is a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma and an active double bass performer. His latest album, Don't Panic, features six original compositions written during the early days of the 2020 pandemic.

In our conversation, we explore Michael's university roles, his approac...

Mark Bernat is a double bassist currently living in Austin, Texas. His groundbreaking recording and edition of the Six Bach Cello Suites were driving forces that led to their wider adoption in the double bass world.

Mark studied at Juilliard and is a former member of the Israel Philharmonic, the Jerusalem Symphony, and the Seattle Symphony. He has taught at the Oberlin Conservatory, the University of Tex...

Margarethe Maierhofer-Lischka, born 1984 in Regensburg, is a double bassist, improviser, researcher, and sound artist. As an active ensemble musician, she collaborates with artists across disciplines to create performances, radio art, and sound installations. She is a member of several initiatives focusing on contemporary music, improvisation, and interdisciplinary art.

Nina Bernat is a double bass performer and educator based in New York City. In 2023, Nina was honored as a recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and winner of the CAG Elmaleh Competition. Her recent first-prize awards include the Barbash J.S. Bach String Competition, the Minnesota Orchestra Young Artist Competition, the Juilliard Double Bass Competition, and the 2019 Inte...

Today's episode features a conversation with Gary Upton, the founder of Upton Bass. Since founding the company in 1999, Gary has built it into one of the most established and trusted names in the world of double bass.

Besides exploring the backstory of Upton Bass, we delve into their latest innovations, including amplifiers, strings, BuildBass.com and rosin. Enjoy...

Today's episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the 2025 International Society of Bassists Convention, taking place June 2-7 at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. FSU bass faculty members and convention hosts Rodney Jordan and George Speed join Jason to discuss organizing this event, share upcoming highlights, and preview what attendees can expect during the week. Enjoy!

Melody Ruiz is writing a book about Thelma Terry, a double bassist and bandleader in 1920s Chicago. She documents her research process on Instagram and is crowdfunding the project through gofundme and Etsy.

We discuss how Melody discovered Thelma's story, the challenges and rewards of resea...

Christopher Dammann is a Chicago-based composer and bassist whose sextet recently released its debut album.

Our conversation explores Christopher's journey from self-taught musician to Northwestern University bass student, examining how iconic Chicago venues like Velvet Lounge and Constellation shaped his artistry, ...

In today's podcast, we speak with Kathryn Schulmeister and Andrew Mell. Kathryn and Andrew joined the double bass faculty at the University of the Pacific’s Conservatory of Music in fall 2023, where they recently hosted the inaugural Pacific Bass Day in January 2025.

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Today's podcast features a conversation with Nina DeCesare about The Artemis Bass Initiative, an organization dedicated to advancing the careers of women and nonbinary bassists through mentorship, orchestral training, and professional development.

We explore the origins of this project and discuss its key programs, i...

Adam Ben Ezra is a truly original voice on the double bass, and each new project of his is fascinating in its own right. His latest album, a collaboration with Cuban drummer Michael Olivera titled Heavy Drops, is no exception.

We explore Adam's life in the Portuguese countryside, the inspiration behind his latest al...