About Me
Donny Tesso is one of the most sought after bass guitarists in the southwest USA. Born in one of the hottest cities on the planet. Yuma Arizona. Donny now calls “The Land of Enchantment†home residing in the high desert city of Albuquerque New Mexico.
As far back as he can remember, Donny has always been mesmerized by the sound of the upright and electric bass. He grew up on a steady diet of Mariachi, C&W, Rock, Funk, Latin Rock, R&B and Jazz. When Donny was about 8 years old, he removed the bottom two strings of an old acoustic guitar belonging to his dad and began playing bass from old scratchy records from the Beatles to Buck Owens to Earth Wind and Fire. Donny’s father, the legendary Yuma Arizona singer Freddy Tesso, would take him to hear his band and his bassist Mr. Bill Fulton. One Friday night when Donny was about 9 years old Bill came by the house with his 1966 Fender Precision Bass and an old Harmony guitar converted into a bass. This was Donny’s first electric bass. That night Donny received his first and only formal bass lesson. Donny remembers Bill telling his dad that Donny doesn’t need any more lessons from him. Donny already had known his notes but until that lesson he didn’t know what they were called. A couple of years later Bill lent Donny that 1966 Fender because Donny wanted to learn on a “real†bass. Although that bass was heavy and long, Donny played many jam sessions and church benefits barely able to reach the 1st fret position. Mr. Fulton owns that old Fender, Donny plays it every chance he gets when he is in Yuma for a performance or clinic.Donny immersed himself in learning all he could all through grade school and high school with an emphasis in Jazz as a member of his high school jazz band. Through his childhood and teenage years Donny was like a sponge absorbing the phenomenal bass playing that was going on in the late 60’s and throughout the 70’s. From James Jamerson’s syncopated, bouncy, and pounding bass to Paul McCartneys fluid and tasteful bass feel. Verdine White’s percussive and groove drenched bass work to Stanley Clark’s blazing, melodical and ground breaking fusion style. Donny IS all of the above.After high school Donny turned down a full music scholarship and a chance to play baseball or football instead choosing to take “another†full scholarship with the “Up With People†traveling musical organization. After a year of touring the world Donny joined a high energy R&B dance band and toured another 3 years ending up in Las Vegas Nevada. After nearly 5 years of Las Vegas he grew tired of it. Moving to New Mexico in 1988, Donny unknowingly began to change the bass landscape in the southwest. Hired by a legendary Spanish music artist, Donny recorded several albums with the legendary singer. Given the green light, Donny proceeded to do what he does best by injecting his colorful, precise bass lines with a little bit of funkiness into these Spanish/Mexican songs. His style and notoriety gained the attention of other artists, bands and producers from the region. Donny became and still is the 1st call bassist for sessions, touring, clinics, musical director, and now composing for TV and film. Donny’s high profile and large body of bass work paved the way for his bass guitar endorsements from Lakland basses and Ken Smith basses.Donny’s versatility and professionalism have earned him numerous awards and accolades including the latest award for “Bassist of the Decade†from the New Mexico Musicians Fund. On any day you may find Donny Tesso giving private bass instruction on a Monday, Conducting a bass clinic on a Tuesday, Plucking his electric upright at a C&W gig on a Wednesday, Bopping along in a jazz trio on a Thursday, Grooving away on a Latin/Spanish music gig on a Friday, Funking it up on R&B/Funk hit on a Saturday, or laying it down at a recording session on a Sunday. Most of all Donny Tesso prides himself in the ability to make any band, artist or session sound the best it possibly can. Donny brings great tone, unmatched versatility, excellent attitude, prestigious resume, showmanship, creativity, tremendous sense of humor, pro stage presence and the ability to kick musical ass and deliver jaw-dropping bass solos. Using the gift God gave him!!!
