AS ONE OF NEW YORK’S BUSIEST BASSISTS, Artie Reynolds has sat in many house bands, including NBC’s current Showtime at the Apollo. But when it comes to lofty, historic seats, it will be hard to top his stage view of President Barack Obama’s Neighborhood Ball: An Inaugural Celebration, which aired January 20 on ABC. Reynolds pitched the low end for the Ray Chew Orchestra, which backed Stevie Wonder, Sting, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, and Shakira. Chew and his crew played the Democratic National Convention in Denver last August, and thus were invited back for the main event. We asked Artie to describe the scene from the bottom up.
What were some bass-related highpoints of the event?
The first was backing Stevie Wonder; when you soundcheck with him you’d better be ready to play “Giant Steps” at any moment—faster, and in a different key! He also did “Spain,” a step down and fast. We pre-recorded “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” with him for the finale because there wasn’t going to be room for us with all the artists onstage. And we got to debut a new song he wrote for the event, called “All About the Love Again.” It was my first time backing Sting, who sang “Brand New Day.” I told him, “I hope I did justice to your bass line,” and he smiled and gave me a head bow. Even though we knew most of the songs, Ray made sure we had basic charts for everything. One surprise was getting a note-fornote keyboard bass chart from Mariah Carey’s musical director for “Hero.” He said she was used to hearing certain signature phrases in the part.
How about personal highlights?Obviously, being three feet away from Barack Obama is a great source of pride and inspiration. He’s a stately world leader, yet he’s also as down-to-earth as a fellow rhythmsection member. He motioned and thanked each one of us before he left. Everyone was on one accord and honored to take part, which set a great vibe from rehearsals through the show, from the top artists on down.
CHECK HIM OUT
Mel Holder, Music Book, Vol. 1, [Psalmist Music Group, 2008]; Alicia Keys, The Diary of Alicia Keys, [J-Records, 2003]
GEAR
Bass Fodera N.Y.C. Empire 5- string
Strings Fodera Diamond stainless- steel roundwounds
Rig Eden WT-800 head with two Eden D410XLT cabs
Other Korg Triton LE synth; Sensaphonics in-ears