377: Alexis Cuadrado on technique, composition, and 21st-century careers - a podcast by Jason Heath

Barcelona-born Alexis Cuadrado is one of New York's most sought-after musicians.

In addition to performing as a sideman with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mark Turner, Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo, Youssou N'Dour, Dianne Reeves, Omara Portuondo, Steve Wilson and Seamus Blake, Alexis maintains a thriving career as a composer and educator.

I had the chance to see Alexis at the 2017 International Society of Bassists Convention, and it was great to catch up with him for this deep dive into his craft.

This episode is divided into three parts:

• Part 1 - discovering François Rabbath
  
  • starting to play upright in Barcelona and developing severe tendinitis
  • trying to "start the house from the roof instead of the foundation”
  • meeting Barry Green - the link to Francois
  • the benefits of "starting from the beginning" with Rabbath
• Part 2 - the language of jazz
  
  • improvisation
  • composition
  • approaches with students
  • work habits
• Part 3 - 21st-century careers
  
  • multiple income streams
    multiple skills sets
    how you present yourself to the world - what’s your outlook?
  • moving to New York

Links to check out:

• alexiscuadrado.com
• Alexis on Sunnyside records
• Alexis on Spotify
• Albums:
  
  • Noneto Ibérico
  • Poetica
  • A Lorca Soundscape
  • Nomadic Nature
  • Puzzles
  • Visual
• All About Jazz article on Alexis
• Recording session for Noneto Ibérico
• Alexis Cuadrado's 'A Lorca Soundscape': Live At 92Y Tribeca
• Alexis on The Third Story

Check out all jazz-related episodes at contrabassconversations.com/jazz

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company.  Upton's Bostonian was conceived at the 2009 International Society of Double Bassists convention at State College, Pennsylvania, while world-renowned jazz bassist and Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas, Lynn Seaton and Upton Bass String Instrument Co. President and Founder, Gary Upton Birkhamshaw were playing and discussing the various instruments Upton Bass had created for the convention. They started with a blank sheet of paper, and together began jotting down Lynn’s preferences and suggestion with each model. The result was a rough outline of what would become the UB Bostonian Concert Double Bass.

A440 Violin Shop - An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

Bass Violin Shop -  Offers the Southeast's largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

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