13: Weldon Anderson Interview - a podcast by Jason Heath

This episode features the first part of an interview that Jason recently did with double bassist Weldon Anderson.  Weldon has worked in many styles of music, from traditional classical bass playing to very experimental forms of music.  The first part of this interview discusses Weldon's early years on the instrument and how he became involved Pittsburgh's Squonk Opera.

Weldon Anderson was a member of the Squonk Opera when they secured a run on Broadway in New York City, and Weldon and Jason discuss the unique situation of getting to Broadway by creating your own show.  What an unusual and very interesting trajectory! 

Visit the Squonk Opera to learn more about this ensemble http://squonkopera.com

Click here to read the Ben Brantley review of the Squonk Opera

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The music of double bassist Donovan Stokes is featured throughout the episode from his recent album Gandaha.  A former student of David Murray and Edgar Meyer, Donovan manages to blend several styles of bass playing and create his own compelling compositions.  I am a real fan of Donovan's, and I can't wait to hear more of his playing. 

 

Visit http://donovanstokes.com for more information on this extremely talented and creative bassist.

 

About Donovan:

Fluent on electric bass and double bass, Dr. Donovan Stokes currently teaches bass and composition in the Department of Music at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA and bass in the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Columbus, GA. He earned his D.M.A and M.M from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and his B.M. from Vanderbilt University.  An active soloist, composer, and clinician Stokes is a specialist in the use of amplified and electronically manipulated double bass and performs regularly both as a soloist and a sideman in a variety of musical genres, venues and collaborations. 

 

Further episodes of Contrabass Conversations

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