I've the great opportunity to interview a Jazz Bass player who has taken it to a whole new level, possibly even better than guys who were in the 70's Jazz fusion era. He's a bottom feeder that continually experiments with his band and in doingsession work as well. Errick Lewis is a musician who I was told to definitely hook up with and do some interviews with. Thank you to Greg Sanders who's another Bass player who heads a well known Funk and rock outfit from Michigan. He said to write for this jazz catnamed Errick from Portland, Oregon and stick with him, because he's going to do some incredible things in year's to come. And he has, making Portland his home base and become a Bass player not just jazz artists look to for guidance, but rocker's and even metal players. That should tell you something about his ability as an artist. As of this writing I think I've done 3 or 4 interviews with Errick.I'm going to put this one and another one musicians can learn from.You know me,it's all about creating solid value musicians can learn from. Errick became a player who easily transcended many genres of music and developed bass chops most only dream of on Bass. Before Errick started his own band " The Vibe Project" he sessioned with many top artists of which there are quite a few. That is partially why I want you musicians,not just bass players to learn from Errick and how you canuse his acumen on Bass to apply on your own instrument or doing vocals. He's one of the few Bassmen who has developed his tone to sound or emulate the voicing of a top vocalist. That's what I want you to aim for. Errick has sessioned for many artists in the R and B fold from Stevie Wonder to Lauryn Hill and done more hip hop flavored type work for Snoop and Jay Z.
I'm not going to going into all his session work because it's extensive. But likeI said I want you to learn from Errick. Don't just learn from Guitarist's if you are a guitar player.Errick is a cat you can take literally to the bank if you usehis CDs and live playing to fuel your playing. And yes Errick has parlayed his success in the studio and doing live sessions into endorsement deals, but that's not really what i want you to get out of this short interview. Errick was able to do these deals based not just just upon ability, but being a genuine musician who cares about other musicians and wants to teach others, and play his ass off! You have to say ass in an article or video. Ass! As well you can listen to Errick's recent album with The Vibe Project called: Where Musicians Ends And Instruments Begins.
Just head on over to:www.erricklewis.com. But please read the short interview first guys to learn something. Actually, Errick sessioned on an album with Sax player Hailey Niswanger. This album seems to take you back like I said earlier in this post,to the 70's soul and funk era that really cut into many musicians souls,and made them realize they shouldn't be out and out just rockers or metal players. That Jazz and blues were there before rock, and needs to be a part of it. Portland has a plethora of great players, and on this album "PDX Soul" Thara Memory,No not Memorex,is the producer on this who Errick was honored to have on the board in the studio to learn from. Okay, musicians and rabid jazz fans here's the short little interview I did with Errick. You'll all learn something and not just appreciate jazz more,but see it more as part of rock,blues,R and B and hip-hop type movements. This is why top players like Errick and others can teach you something even if you're not a musician. Okay, here's the questions guys... Hey Errick, I keep meaning to interview you again. So,I'm going to ask two questions here. When you play live is it important for yourself to play a song exactly like you may have in the studio, or is varying your bass feel and phrasing come into play? Okay, number 2 question. When you set up your amp for a live gig are you more concerned with setting up the volume so it's not too loud, or developing the tone right for the band? Hope those questions made sense Errick. Send me a pic as well Errick. Have some good xmas cheer with your fans and your band. 1: playing live is not the same as playing on a record.In alive show I'm looking to explore the freedom of playing the groove any way the the vibe leads to. 2:Tone is everything to me,because if the tone is't right the feel is not the same.Its like being in the dark at someone else's home you can see because of the light in coming in the Windows, but u can't see the little table or you just make minor mistakes. You can buy Errick's album at: www.erricklewis.com and get a feel for a couple tracks for free. And go deeper into Errick's history as a player and more of his material at: www.reverbnation.com/erricklewisthevibeproject Thanks Errick. And much success to all musicians out there. --
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