1093: Michael Geib on his latest album and university life
Contrabass Conversations
is a professor at the and an active double bass performer. His latest album, , features six original compositions written during the early days of the 2020 pandemic. In our conversation, we explore Michael's university roles, his approach to student recruitment in the social media age, his work with ATSA and ISB, his position as a Grammy voting member, and much more. , check out his , and follow his engaging writing by ! to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us Thank you to our sponsor! - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic...
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1092: Mark Bernat on Bach
Contrabass Conversations
Mark Bernat is a double bassist currently living in Austin, Texas. His groundbreaking recording and edition of the Six Bach Cello Suites were driving forces that led to their wider adoption in the double bass world. Mark studied at Juilliard and is a former member of the Israel Philharmonic, the Jerusalem Symphony, and the Seattle Symphony. He has taught at the Oberlin Conservatory, the University of Texas at Austin, and Emory University. In Austin, he formed the all-volunteer , which aims to bring music into high-stress hospital environments. We dig into Mark's background, how his...
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1091: Margarethe Maierhofer-Lischka on contemporary double bass
Contrabass Conversations
Margarethe Maierhofer-Lischka, born 1984 in Regensburg, is a double bassist, improviser, researcher, and sound artist. As an active ensemble musician, she collaborates with artists across disciplines to create performances, radio art, and sound installations. She is a member of several initiatives focusing on contemporary music, improvisation, and interdisciplinary art. Her work has been recognized with scholarships from the Austrian Federal Government, the DOMS Foundation Basel, and the Karlheinz Stockhausen Foundation. In 2018, she received the Theodor Körner Award for arts and science. We...
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1090: Nina Bernat Interview and Recital
Contrabass Conversations
is a double bass performer and educator based in New York City. In 2023, Nina was honored as a recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and winner of the CAG Elmaleh Competition. Her recent first-prize awards include the Barbash J.S. Bach String Competition, the Minnesota Orchestra Young Artist Competition, the Juilliard Double Bass Competition, and the 2019 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition. In this episode, recorded live in San Francisco in 2025, Nina shares her background and discusses the program she performed at the . Enjoy! Recital program: Nina Bernat, double bass...
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1089: Gary Upton on double bass innovation
Contrabass Conversations
Today's episode features a conversation with , the founder of . Since founding the company in 1999, Gary has built it into one of the most established and trusted names in the world of double bass. Besides exploring the backstory of Upton Bass, we delve into their latest innovations, including amplifiers, strings, and rosin. Enjoy! to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: Thank you to our sponsor! - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each is...
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1088: ISB Convention Preview with Rodney Jordan and George Speed
Contrabass Conversations
Today's episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the , taking place June 2-7 at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. FSU bass faculty members and convention hosts and join Jason to discuss organizing this event, share upcoming highlights, and preview what attendees can expect during the week. Enjoy! to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: Thank you to our sponsor! - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each is crafted with precision in...
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1087: Melody Ruiz on Thelma Terry
Contrabass Conversations
Melody Ruiz is writing a book about Thelma Terry, a double bassist and bandleader in 1920s Chicago. She documents her research process on and is crowdfunding the project through and . We discuss how Melody discovered Thelma's story, the challenges and rewards of researching someone from a century ago, and the fascinating discoveries she's made along the way. We'll reconnect with Melody as her book nears publication. Meanwhile, follow her journey on ! to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: Thank you to our sponsor! - From...
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1086: Christopher Dammann on the Chicago jazz scene
Contrabass Conversations
is a Chicago-based composer and bassist whose sextet recently released its . Our conversation explores Christopher's journey from self-taught musician to Northwestern University bass student, examining how iconic Chicago venues like Velvet Lounge and Constellation shaped his artistry, his practice methodology, and much more. Enjoy, and don't miss ! to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: Thank you to our sponsor! - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each is...
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1085: Kathryn Schulmeister and Andrew Mell on starting a double bass event
Contrabass Conversations
In today's podcast, we speak with and . and joined the double bass faculty at the in fall 2023, where they recently hosted the inaugural Pacific Bass Day in January 2025. We explore their backgrounds, discuss the experience of launching their first bass day, and delve into their plans for the future, among other topics. Enjoy! We explore their backgrounds, discuss the experience of launching their first bass day, and delve into their plans for the future, among other topics. Enjoy! to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: theme music by
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1084: The Artemis Bass Initiative with Nina DeCesare
Contrabass Conversations
Today's podcast features a conversation with about , an organization dedicated to advancing the careers of women and nonbinary bassists through mentorship, orchestral training, and professional development. We explore the origins of this project and discuss its key programs, including upcoming seminars, orchestral training, and mentorship opportunities. To learn more, and to subscribe to their newsletter. You can also . to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: Thank you to our sponsor! - From Grammy Award winners and...
info_outlineBruce Gertz is a jazz bassist, composer, and educator who has taught at the Berklee College of Music for nearly half a century. In addition to his numerous awards and recordings, Bruce developed musicsightreader.com, an Apple Books publication designed to develop sightreading skills through duets, trios, and quartets.
We explore Bruce's daily creativity habits, Berklee's evolution over the decades, the unique challenges of teaching sightreading, and much more.
Enjoy, and be sure to check out Bruce's website, musicsightreader.com, and his great YouTube conversation with Claus Freudenstein!
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