So glad that this video of our rehearsal with Kristin Chenoweth surfaced on the Nashville Symphony Facebook page! The warm, defined tones of the Eminence Bass (supported by the Basswitch IQ DI pedal) perfectly suited the concert both musically and technically.

Here's a sample track from the "Jazz Scramble" project I recorded a few months ago for GLOBAL GENIUS PRODUCTIONS and The License Lab. 

Brian Blade (dr) Chris Donohue (bs) Jeff Coffin (sax)

Sending all my love to GLOBAL GENIUS PRODUCTIONS and The License Lab for bringing Jeff Coffin, Brian Blade, Stephen Kummer, Steve Patrick, and myself together for a day of recording some dirty, high-energy jazz at House of Blues Studios! Sonic support by Aguilar Amplification, D'Addario and Co., Darkglass Electronics, and Lehle. #sothathappened #pinchme #grateful 

BASS INSTRUCTION  

I offer one-on-one personalized bass instruction for players of any age or ability level. Depending on the student and other variables, Skype/Face-Time sessions will be considered. Send me a PM to discuss current rates and availability.

MUSICIAN COACHING 

If you're a musician new to Nashville, a music student at a university, or an active player looking to develop particular skills related to recording or live performance, I offer mentoring/coaching services to help you become a fully integrated musical artist! During these sessions we can explore: 

- Ways to establish and/or develop your unique musical identity 

- The setting of concrete, achievable goals for yourself as a working musician 

- Getting work - and keeping it 

- Building confidence on stage and in the recording studio 

- Deepening your social and intuitive skills as they relate to interacting with other musicians and creatives 

- Establishing healthy life habits that support and enhance your artistry 

I will make every effort to provide you with the condensed perspective on being a professional musician that I sought myself when I began playing professionally in 1993. Full disclosure - I learned most of my lessons the hard way. (-; 

This project with Anthony Matula took me waaaaay out of my comfort zone and for that I love it all the more.  Visit The Blue Hour page to preview tracks, pre-order the recording, and grab a "Make Jazz, Not War" t-shirt.  Pictured below - Steve Kummer (piano), Simon Yeh (sax), and Anthony (drums). Photo by Abby Rhyne.

Russ Long (en), Pat Buchanan (gtr), Jason Cheek (dr) and myself recently had the opportunity to sample the new Nx Virtual Mix Room technology by Waves Audio. Being immersed in the Nx virtual aural environment opened up striking new levels of sonic detail in our headphones and, despite our physical separation in the studio, made us all feel like we were in the same room. The rather surreal sensation of playing in the band while also hearing it from a listener's perspective definitely affected musical choices I was making as we recorded together and made for a more cohesive performance overall. Many congratulations to the Waves engineers!

Thanks to Tim Hibbs for this photo of last weekend's holiday celebration at the Ryman Auditorium with Emmylou Harris, Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Loudon Wainwright III, Alison Krauss, and many others! All of these folks brought a message of peace and light much needed during this particularly strange and dark winter solstice. So thankful for them all.

SO PROUD of Danni Nicholls for the 2016 UK Album Of The Year nomination of "Mockingbird Lane", recorded right here in East Nashville! Many thanks to Stephen Leiweke, Bryan Owings, Will Kimbrough, Ralph T. Lofton, Billy Livsey, Pete Lanctot, Phil Madeira, Sam Ashworth, Brandy Zdan, Amy Stroup, Rebekah Powell, Steve O'Brien, Tommy Reilly, Alex McCullough, and Laura Donohue for their talents, and to The Americana Music Association UK for the support!

My dear friends Eleonore Denig, Jordan Brooke Hamlin, Cindy Morgan Brouwer, Stephen Leiweke, and myself have been storing this little project in the cellar for some time and have now decided that it's reached its peak of flavor! It pairs particularly well with a loved one. (;

You can purchase the Merripennie EP on Amazon, iTunes, etc.  Here's a video for the song "Trouble Magnet":