Join Grammy-nominated Bassist Bunny Brunel and award-winner jazz vocalist/flutist Kaylene Peoples for an uncompromising musical experience with straight-ahead acoustic jazz and electric fusion; featuring Virgil Donati (drums), Joe Calderon (guitar), and Mahesh Balasooriya (piano).
Admission $30
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2017
Time: 8:00 PM
By David Sands | February 24, 2017 | forbassplayersonly.com
Co-produced with Stanley Clarke, album features bassists from around the world
Could listening to bass players hit it out of the park be America’s next great pastime? It will be, if Bunny Brunel has anything to say on the topic.
The French-born jazz bassist has teamed up with Stanley Clarke to produce a new album, Bass Ball, that’s centered around a top-notch roster of bass players from around the world. Five years in the making, the album features impressive solos by U.S. bass stars Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey and Cameroonian jazz phenom Armand Sabal-Lecco, as well as some of Brunel’s compatriots from the land of the Eiffel Tower.
“The French bass players who also play on Bass Ball are famous in France, but not well known here,” Brunel says in statement. “I was the one who had the privilege to come to America and play with Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock, and others. But there were many bass players in France who were also very good.”
Inspired to write a tune from his hometown of Nice, Brunel composed a song named after a local body of water, Baie des Anges, that also happens to incorporate a bunch of local jazz talent.
“I composed and named the tune ‘Bay of the Angels’ and decided to have musicians from my hometown perform on the song,” says Brunel. “They were trombonist Alex Perdigon, trumpeter Eric Giausserand, bass players Tony Bonfils, Dominique Bertram, Fifi Chayeb.”
Other songs on the album feature Josquin Des Pres of St. Tropez and Marc Bertaux and Hadrien Feraud from Paris. As for the two masterminds behind the project, Brunel plays the ESP fretted bass, fretless bass, and piccolo bass; and Stanley Clarke plays Alembic basses, piccolo bass, and acoustic bass.
“I like the fact that Bass Ball is going to give people an opportunity to hear some of the best bass players they’ve never heard before,” says Clarke.
Also appearing on the album are drummers Dennis Chambers, John Wackerman, Simon Phillips, Steve Ferrone, Johan Franzon, Ike Wiley, Clayton Cameron, and Bryan Cabrera; percussionists Chris Moraga and Monette Moreno; and keyboardists Nick Smith and Larry Dunn (of Earth, Wind and Fire).
Encouraged by their work with Bass Ball, Brunel and Clarke are already planning a sequel.
Track List
1. Nothing but the Bass (feat. Armand Sabal-Leco & John Wackerman)
2. Slap & Tickle (feat. Victor Wooten, Hadrien Feraud & Dennis Chambers)
3. Stand Out (feat. Armand Sabal-Leco, Monette Marino & Bryan Cabrera)
4. Lopsy Lu (feat. Steve Bailey, Billy Sheehan & Simon Phillips)
5. Bay of the Angels (feat. Tony Bonfils, Alex Perdigon, Eric Giausserand & Steve Ferrone)
6. Gigi (feat. Johan Franzon)
7. Lulu (feat. Kaylene Peoples, Luisa Dunn, Larry Dunn & Steve Ferrone)
8. For You to Play (feat. Johan Franzon)
9. Freedom Jazz Dance (feat. Marc Bertaux, Jerry Lopez, Nick Smith, Monette Marino & Ike Willey)
10. John’s Space (feat. Josquin Des Pres, Kaylene Peoples, Monette Marino & Ike Willey)
11. Tradition (feat. Nick Smith, Chris Moraga & Clayton Cameron)
12. Bay of the Angels (Extended Version) [feat. Kaylene Peoples, Alex Perdigon, Eric Giausserand, Dominique Bertram, Fifi Chayeb, Tony Bonfils & Steve Ferrone]
Title: Bass Ball
Artist: Bunny Brunel & Friends
Release Date: January 15, 2017
Label: Nikaia Records
Introducing BUNNY BRUNEL & FRIENDS – BASS BALL, an exciting new CD produced by Bunny Brunel and Stanley Clarke, featuring incredible performances by Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey, Hadrien Ferraud, Larry Dunn, and more.
“I think ‘Bass Ball’ is a great, innovative record with some of the best bass players in the world, encompassing a variety of styles.” –Bunny Brunel
If you like the bass, then you will love “Bass Ball,” a new CD encompassing everything that’s great about the bass. The innovative album is produced by Bunny Brunel and Stanley Clarke; and has been five years in the making. “Bass Ball” stars Bunny Brunel and Stanley Clarke, featuring solos by Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey, Armand Sabal-Lecco (who also composed “Stand Out” on the album), and more. Wanting to add a French flavor, Bunny Brunel invited a few musicians, including bass players from his country to be a part
history in the making.
Geschrieben von Dirk Groll, (Translated from German: http://www.gitarrebass.de Gitarre & Bass Magazine)
LTD BB1005
Rapid fusion action on a stately Fivestring, with a further extended range: Bunny Brunel’s signature model from LTD brings some top performances together.
The Quilted Maple blanket with stylish transparent varnish ensures the appropriate eye-catching appearance. The BB1005 is available in Black Aqua, Burnt Orange and See Through Black Sunburst; Except for the bundled models, a Fretless is also available. According to its name, this instrument is equipped for all styles.
Big Player
First, the blue testbass presents itself as a powerful instrument with a large body and an elongated head plate, total length 119 cm. The Longscale neck is made of maple and straight, the side-glued corpus wings consist of alder, with the whole front of the bodysuit with a beautiful cloudy top.
On the wide ebony fingerboard is plenty of space for a clean finger, which at the same time means that the Brunel Fivestring is not necessarily the most comfortable player for short fingers. At the flat neck profile it should not lie, however, the string position can be set very low without frills.
The solid hipshot bridge is a solid, so that the strings can be inserted from the rear through the body or can be attached conventionally from the front. The semi-finished precision tuners also come from the same manufacturer, the tuner for the low-frequency H-string being equipped with an extender lever that lowers the thickest string to the A as required.
The electrical equipment, which comes completely from Aguilar, provides for a sound versatility. In the bridge position sits a 5M-humbucker with fat Alnico magnets, at the neck also an Alnico-equipped J-Pickup. This is, of course, not a simple single coil, but a two-coil hum-Canceling design, so that all the pickup mixes that can be recalled at the crossover are free of hum. For further sound variation is a three-band active EQ on board, the center band of which can be switched by pull switch between 400 and 800 Hz.
Much of everything
Due to the flat neck / body transition, the 24th position is also completely unobstructed, and the BB1005 is also perfectly balanced due to the long corpus spine and without any approach from the top of the belt. The weight of approx. 4.2 kg is not exaggerated for a grown five and ensures that the body is calm and stable to the body.
The Brunel-Fivestring with its continuous neck, the massive neck and the optional string guide from the front, is the result of a lush sustain development and swinging pleasure arke maple ensures that the sound does not get too soft and soothing, but precisely and directly starts, Which is also important for fast-paced fusion carnivals.
Even the extender for the H-string is really usable. Actually one would only have to see under the deep H undefined booby, but actually the Brunel Fivestring also a cleanly defined A is effected. A certain surprise is provided by the electric touch, where the fat Alnico humbucker produces a rather airy and bony sound.
This is clearly due to the relatively high-pitched placement, where there are fewer bass components in the string amplitude. Convincingly, the 5M humbucker brings a clear, tidy sound with offensive growl. The narrow J-Pickup in the neck position is responsible for real bass depth and thickness, and the splitcoil fulfills this role with balanced broadband and a fine shot of offensive Alnico presence. The fact that its pole pieces protrude somewhat from the cap according to the handlebuck, could, in the case of a misdirected slap, lead to clattering noise when the strings hit the magnets.
The active OBP3 sound control is gaining power, resulting in different results in the different frequency bands. For the basses, for example, the excessively radical cuts are wasteful, because practically nobody really uses such dry settings. In the middle, the drastic effect is much more practical, especially since the switchable center frequency can still shift the striking nose, which makes the bundled testbass sound almost like a fretless.
On the other hand, extreme radical attenuations can be adjusted if an extratrocke radio sound or a soft, soft restraint is required. In the case of the height controller, the strong effect does not occur at all because it acts at quite high frequencies; This results in the detection of fine-metallic brilliance tips, but not hard and sharp presences.
Alternatives
Five-string electric basses with healthy equipment are already available in the most favorable price categories. But mostly these are vintage designs with screw neck, modern styled models with continuous neck construction are already scarce – and it goes directly into higher price categories. To this extent, the signature five-string strings, equipped with brand-name features, do not represent the mainstream. Ibanez, however, also builds similarly elaborate Neck-thru models, which are offered at attractive prices because of the more favorable production in Indonesia.
Summary
Bunny Brunel’s Signature model has a lot to offer: plenty of space for the fingers on the wide fretboard, a lot of bridge mass and a lot of sustain for lush swinging pleasure, a lot of tone with 24 freely accessible fret plus H string extender and many variations due to the rich Electric equipment – you get a lot of bass for the money, and the higher price class for a Korean LTD model should not be more astonishing.
The New Boffomundo Show is honored to have as its first guest, Bunny Brunel, one of the greatest bass players in jazz. He tells some tales from his associations with the likes of Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Patrick Moraz, Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke and more. Bunny’s wit and wisdom is also on display and it makes for a fine debut from the Boffomundo Boys. Enjoy! (Original Source: http://www.boffomundomusic.com/the-new-boffomundo-show)
An ode to the roots of jazz in all its splendor. The public and the music-loving festival-goers of the capital have been entitled to it during the last two days.
From the Carlton Anosy to the University of Antananarivo, the banner of American jazz proudly floated in the framework of the international festival Madajazzcar. From a musical evening on the Anosy side Tuesday to the friendly and warm stage of Ankatso University campus yesterday, sweet jazzy melodies in Uncle Sam’s country, intoxicated the public.
With a 27th edition that continues on the track of its previous ones, Madajazzcar keeps accumulating eminent guests on its stage. After the famous Frenchmen Francis Lockwood and Guillaume Peret who enchanted the ears of the public through their performances and their collaboration with the Malagasy artists during the first half of the festival, it is the turn of the American musicians to display their know-how , To the delight of the ears of good jazz lovers who joined Madajazzcar.
The American evening at the Carlton Anosy was just as friendly as it was unheard of through the performers who excelled on stage. With “American Jazz Night”, Madajazzcar wanted to make a strong impression, in particular, with the trainings to the poster. If he marked the audience of Antsahamanitra on October 8, the duo Bunny Brunel on bass and Kaylene Peoples on vocals, accompanied by Malagasy musicians, again delighted the audience.Similarly, The Jazz Diplomats was discovered with grace and vivacity.
Couples
“Year after year it is consistently a pleasure for us to promote jazz and its history to a wider audience. What these Western artists propose, enriches the festival as much as our understanding of this musical genre, “says Désiré Razafindrazaka, chairman of the organizing committee of the Madajazzcar festival. Interpreting mainly the great standards of jazz, but also their own compositions, Bunny Brunel and Kaylene Peoples charm the public.
As with their brothers-in-arms of the US Navy Band of last year, The Jazz Diplomats which also consist of US Marines, remains the big attraction this week. It is a formation in quartet issue itself of the US Navy Band which in its totality, consists of nearly five hundred, marines musicians. The Jazz Diplomats amazed the Jazz scene at the University which was at its 24th edition yesterday afternoon. The group consists of Everett Cencich on tenor saxophone, Colin Greggs on guitar, John Parris on bass and Dave Ward on drums, all in second class rank. The university campus was the theater of a unique musical discovery yesterday, and the student audience did not ask for more.
“This is our first visit to this country and we are delighted to be here, to interact and to share with all these resplendent artists of youth. It feels a great passion for jazz, “says Colin Greggs.Yesterday, The Jazz Diplomats shared the stage with Band’n Tanana and Deba ft Jazz Quart.Today these jazzmen of the American Navy will hold a jazz workshop in the American Cultural Center Tanjombato. Andry Patrick Rakotondrazaka
In October 1988, three young Malagasy doctors passionate about jazz decided to create a platform dedicated to this musical genre. They are Allain Razakatiana, Bruno Razafindrakoto and Henri Rakotondrabe. They first set up a jazz club at the French Alliance of Antananarivo (AFT) and then decided to multiply their activities by organizing shows. Thus was born the festival in 1989, referred to debut ” Jazz in Tana ” and ” Jazz in Mada “. In 1991, the event observed a stand-by but returned in force in 1992, inviting a pleiade of musicians of international renown. Quickly, the festival has gained momentum under its new name ” International Festival Madajazzcar ” selected under the inspiration of the composition of the pianist and clarinetist Rajaobelina Arly Arnaud Razafy. Desired Razafindrazaka took the helm in 2001. In 2010, Madajazzcar received the label called ” DjangodOr- international jazz trophies ” that allowed him to be part of the jazz festivals recognized in Africa. In 2014, it was voted Cultural Event by the Minister of Crafts, Culture and Heritage. And this year, it is at its 27th edition which will see the participation of many musicians from all over the world.
Invited foreign artists
The French saxophonist Guillaume Perret
Currently on tour internationally, Guillaume Perret specializes in the electric saxophone. It distills an original style mixing funk, rock and classical as well as various African rhythms that deliver a new vision of jazz. Armed with his saxophone, he succeeded in producing various sounds ranging from percussion to bass guitar.
The Norwegian guitarist Hakon Storm-Mathisen
This musician is not only a teacher at the Norwegian Music Academy, but also a conductor and soloist in several bands.Hakon Storm-Mathisen oscillates between the electric, acoustic and even classical styles. Winther founder of Storm Group, he won the Independent Music Award award in the category jazz albums in 2013 with the album ” Spinnaker “.
The French pianist Jean-Pierre Como
Passionate about jazz since his childhood, Jean-Pierre Como decided to deepen his passion by studying in a conservatory.He then accompanied several jazz musicians such as Bernard Maury, François Couturier …
The Swiss pianist Christoph Hegi
Self-taught, the musician created a group called Tschapsmusik in 1977, now Tin Roof Jazz Orchestra. More committed than the others, he decided to put his talent at the service of education, sharing his experiences with the students of Dattwi. In 2003, he met the singer Kristina Tajsic and formed the duo called Voice meets piano inspired by the American jazz of the years 20, 40 and 50.
The American bassist Bunny Brunel
Composer, arranger, producer and designer, Bunny Brunnel participated in one of the biggest concerts of Michel Polnareff “Ze tour”, officiating at the same time as bassist and musical director. This tour received a Victory of Music for the best live performance. The artist has also created a line of electric bass guitars and double basses, and is also the author of bass guitar learning books.
The American singer Kaylene Peoples
This artist is not only a singer, she is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and conductor. Kaylene Peoples adopts neo-classical symphonic styles. Note that she was the coach of David Raksin and Henry Mancini who were the winners of one of the editions of the Academy award. Working with several large production boxes such as Warner Bros., EMI, Universal … she has composed several soundtracks for films such as American Pie 2, Serendipity …
French pianist Francis Lockwood
Overwhelmingly talented since his early childhood, Francis Lockwood received the Alto Violin Prize at the Conservatory of Calais at the age of 17. But interested in the piano, he has integrated a number of rock and jazz bands. In 1987 he was named one of the top five pianists in Europe by Jazz Hot. He is influenced by artists like Bob Dylan, Cream and sometimes even Johann Sebastian Bach.
The German Quartet Jin Jim
The band evolves into a more modern genre mixing jazz and rock. In 2014, he won the jazz competition of the 35th edition of the Leverkusener Jazztage. The quartet especially highlights the sound of the Peruvian flute which allows in some pieces to make a musical journey between the Balkan folklore and hip hop.
The French saxophonist Baptiste Herbin
Baptiste Herbin started playing the saxophone at the age of 4. At 15, the artist decided to take an interest in jazz by studying at the Conservatory of Paris. Great artists like Charlie Parker or Cannonball Adderley influenced him a lot.Currently, he plays with the star Charles Aznavour.
The American group The jazz diplomats
Belonging to the US Navy, the four musicians share the same passion, jazz. Members of the US Navy Band that was already in Madagascar last year, they decided to form another band called The Jazz Diplomats.
The 27 th edition of Madajazzcar festival will take place from 1st to October 14, in any city Tana. Some 60 groups will move the city to the rhythm of the jazz endiablé.
Madajazzcar, an annual and inevitable rendez-vous for jazz lovers, takes ages but does not age. 27 years of history now, passion and a lot of motivation for each year to organize a festival of international scope, the committee does everything to make this event indelible in the annual cultural calendar Malagasy. Every month in October, and for many jazz fans both in Madagascar and abroad, like the jacarandas that bloom, the Madajazzcar offers its musical bouquet.The story then begins when three jazz-loving doctors, Dr. Allain Razakatiana, Dr. Bruno Razafindrakoto and Dr. Henri Rakotondrabe, decided in 1988 to create a jazz club at the Alliance Française de Andavamamba. Other illustrious musicians and aficionados will join them, such as Dr Hervé Razakaboana, Arnaud Razafy, Serge Rahoerson, the brothers Raymond, Dédé and Jeannot Rabeson, the brothers Gilles de Commarmand and later Désiré Razafindrazaka, who chairs the committee Organization to date.
Carrefour . Jazz is increasingly vulgarized and no longer remains within the walls of “music lovers” who have to be jazz fans to be part of a certain social class. Today, jazz goes down the street, and thanks largely to this festival which organizes free concerts practically throughout the city, the general public can appreciate this music at its true value. A true crossroads of international jazz, the Madajazzcar is, like all the other festivals of this world, a great international scene to be included in its artistic journey. This year again, several international artists will be invited to participate. 11 in total, including Bunny Brunel, Kaylene Peoples, and The Jazz Diplomates of the United States, Baptiste Herbin, Francis Lockwood, Guillaume Perret and Jean Pierre Como. Jah Pinpin from France, Hakon Storm-Mathisen from Norway, Jin Jim from Germany, and Christoph Hegi from Switzerland. And a multitude of national groups and artists, 43 in total. They will play in 17 sites, which leaves the choice to all jazz lovers to appreciate without moderation this music.
Music director Sandeep Chowta and vocalist Sanjay Chitale are all set with their new album ‘American Pilgrimage’ which comprises Indian melody and jazz improvisation – a cross-cultural intersection seldom heard.
The album is the culmination of a life-long dream of Bollywood music director, multi-instrumentalist and composer Chowta. He wanted to meet and record with his jazz idols, including John Scofield, Bunny Brunel, Eddie Daniels, Andy LaVerne, Dave Valentine and more.
His friend and musical partner, Chitale, made it his mission to bring this dream to reality. Several years ago, the two embarked on a two-year-long journey across the US, knocking on doors, calling friends, crashing on couches and recording music with the aforementioned legends they sought out.
While Chowta is a prolific music director whose work can be heard in some of the biggest Bollywood films such as Om Shanti Om and Rowdy Rathore, Chitale’s life was rooted in music until he found himself working in IT but when the opportunity to record American Pilgrimage came along, he sold his investments and drove head first into the project.
It seemed almost every great bassist in L.A. turned out for the Sunday night premiere of “Jaco,” the documentary about the late bass virtuoso Jaco Pastorius, including Robert Trujillo of Metallica, the film’s producer, Verdine White, Lee Sklar, Bootsy Collins, Hadrien Ferraud, Bunny Brunel and Darryl “The Munch” Jones, who holds up the bottom end for the Rolling Stones.
Not since Anaheim’s immense National Association of Music Merchant’s convention in January had so many professional bass players assembled under one roof.
The capacity event, which took place at downtown’s Theatre at the Ace Hotel, stood as a fitting tribute to a musical force of nature whose career took a tragic turn at the pinnacle of his creative powers. On-screen testimonials from such musicians as Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers — who introduced the film, along with Trujillo and the film’s co-director Paul Marchand — as well as Wayne Shorter, Peter Erskine, Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Sting and so many others reinforced the notion that Pastorius was the Jimi Hendrix of his instrument.
Trujillo recalled first seeing Pastorius play with Weather Report in 1979 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium as a teenager. “I witnessed something I will never forget,” he recalled form the stage. “It really changed my life. The thing that was amazing beyond him being a composer and an incredible bass player was the performance itself, the stage presence. It made me realize that you could be fearless.”
Post screening, the evening shifted into a bass clinic extravaganza, with multi-bass groups; Pastorius’ bassist sons Felix and John performed original jams and also covered their father’s music, while Trujillo thrashed with Mass Mental, joined by Flea.
The film is scheduled for a Nov. 27 release on VOD, DVD and Bluray.
The French-born jazz bassist has teamed up with Stanley Clarke to produce a new album, Bass Ball, that’s centered around a top-notch roster of bass players from around the world. Five years in the making, the album features impressive solos by U.S. bass stars Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey and Cameroonian jazz phenom Armand Sabal-Lecco, as well as some of Brunel’s compatriots from the land of the Eiffel Tower.
“I composed and named the tune ‘Bay of the Angels’ and decided to have musicians from my hometown perform on the song,” says Brunel. “They were trombonist Alex Perdigon, trumpeter Eric Giausserand, bass players Tony Bonfils, Dominique Bertram, Fifi Chayeb.”
