I've had a long career as an athlete in karate from 1991 to 2006(4 times National champion of Canada)
Now that my competition days are done, i have more time to practice and play with the Montreal band HERUBA.
The first bass player who got my attention is Aston famillyman Barrett from the wailers in 1976, i was young but (11) i definitively dug the bass,
later on it was James jamerson,
than Bootsy,Verdin White(earth wind and fire) and Louis Johnson(brothers Johnson),
one day i heard Marcus with Miles in the man withe horn and later with Luther vandross and Aretha Franklin.
I could say that, he is the reason why i have a bass in my hands today. I used to listen to him only, because he is a real groove master, i could not hear anything else in the music!!! He made a tune with David Sanborn at the time called RUN FOR COVER that's exactly what i did!
Later on i was introduced to Jonas Helborg, Abrahm Laboriel, Anthony Jackson, Stanley Clark and Jaco Pastorius...,WOW
i could not listen to music the same way again!!!
I couldn't understand how a human being could play so fast and so good with only four strings
I also listened to my Dad's old records and discovered the double bass Giants like Charlie Mingus, Wilbur Ware, Percy Heath, Jimmy Garrison, and Paul Chambers! What a delight it was pure orgasm for the ears and the soul!!!!
In conclusion i would have to say that I don't like to play too many notes to impress or to be flashy! i just want to lay down the groove and play with feeling, with heart, it makes me feel good,
Plenty of bass players have fancy chops, but they don't make you feel any emotions
Now the player that has the most influence on my playing is
Meshell Ndegeocello because she lays it down so nice, simple, groovy, and nasty at the same time! // I love to play bass for these guys(HERUBA) because they have soul and conscious lyrics about poverty, the state of Africa, and many other injustices.
Unlike many hip hop groups who rap about Bitches,hoes, gold chains and fast cars and so on!
This band started because Our rappers(HERUBA) got tired of using computers samples and Cds, so they decided to be backed-up by real instruments! Voila!
As for me, I've always loved the bass,but i have always been intimidated by other Bass players.
When i was beginning , my friends used to always make fun of my playing But i decided to play anyway( in my room), alone, and now i'm making great progress and having fun!! I started to improve when i stopped trying to impress! I started a little bit too late and i don't have the skills to be an other Marcus or Victor!
I just love being a bass player!!!! Now i have a little bit of recognition and many interesting projects...I don't mind trying new stuff!!!
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