Kevin R. Bass, Bass guitar, Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass, Double Bass, Jazz Bass, Bass fiddle, Music... Brooklyn, NY

Kevin plays both electric and acoustic bass. He earned a Masters degree from William Paterson University in Jazz Performance and has studied with John Patitucci (Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea), Steve La Spina (Stan Getz, Marian McPartland), Hilliard Greene (Jimmy Scott, Cecil Taylor), Zev Katz (Jewel), and many other world-class musicians.  His performance credits extend from jazz (Grachan Moncur III) to indie-rock (Daniel Johnston).  Kevin emphasizes Overall Musicianship, Ear Training, Reading Skills, Music Theory, and Recording Techniques in instruction.  Kevin specializes in Rock, Jazz, Reggae, Funk, Afro-Cuban, and Latin Jazz.  Kevin is bilingual in Spanish and English and has experience working with age groups from middle-schoolers to septegenarians.

Recording Studio Experience
Kevin has recorded bass tracks for

-Joshua Thompson, producer for Alicia Keys and others.

-Grandmaster DXT, DJ for Herbie Hancock, Bill Laswell and others.

-Rob Fusari, producer for Destiny’s Child, Britney Spears and others.

-Jason Crosby, keyboardist/violinist for Robert Randolph and The Family Band, Blind Boys of Alabama, and Susan Tedeschi.  
Notable Performances
-Grachan Moncur III. 
-Daniel Johnston.
-Joshua Thompson.
-Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson (drummer for jazz organ legend Jimmy Smith).

Education

- Master of Fine Arts  (M.F.A.) from William Paterson Universty, with a concentration in Jazz Performance.

- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Colgate University, with a double major in Music and Spanish Language/Literature.

- Certificate of Achievement in "All Phases of Bass Playing," from NYC's The Bass Collective

Overall Musicianship

Technique is one of the means by which musicians approach the creative process.  While technique is part of the instructional process, overall awarenss of one's self is also emphasized as key for musical development  Kevin's studies have led him to identify the important physical and creative processes involved in playing bass guitar and acoustic bass in all styles.  "Storytelling" and "Playing for the song" number among the many artistic components of playing bass that Kevin brings to the lesson.

Ear Training

Music is a language, and an important part of communicating is listening and comprehending.  Therefore, Ear Training serves to improve a bass player's understanding of how their role in a group affects harmony, melody, and rhythm.

Reading Skills

Reading music opens the door to more work opportunities as a bass player and greater access to worlds of written music. Reading materials from a range of genres (Rock, Jazz, Funk/Fusion, Classical, Latin) may be incorporated into lessons.

Music Theory

Kevin's background in Music Theory stems from 15 years of academic study at various centers of learning: Manhattan School of Music, Stanford Jazz Workshop, Colgate University (undergraduate) and William Paterson University (graduate). Music Theory is an essential and rewarding skill for developing as a bassist.  Kevin has taught Music Theory with an emphasis on application in performance at Jazz Connections Summer Camp at Montclair State University.

Recording Technique

The 21st century music scene is marked by greater access to professional-quality recording media for independent musicians. Learning how to harness the powers of digital media allows for musicians to work and further their careers.  Kevin has studied Digital Music and Recording Techniques at Colgate University, William Paterson University and the Bass Collective.

Genres of specialty: Rock, Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Latin Jazz, Funk, Reggae, Classical.

Bass, Bass guitar, Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass, Double Bass, Jazz Bass, Bass fiddle, Music Theory, Jazz Theory, Recording Techniques/Digital Media