By Chris Jisi

Thu, 5 Jul 2012

Like a multi-faceted funk feel finally settling into the groove, Bass Player LIVE! 2012 is now moving full bore with one of our most potent and diverse events to date. On October 20 & 21, Los Angeles is your must-do destination, as we present Lifetime Achievement Awards to rock icon Chris Squire of Yes and Bob Marley and the Wailers reggae legend Aston “Family Man” Barrett. Both will perform at the Saturday night concert and appear at live clinic interviews. In addition, the late genius Jaco Pastorius will be honored at the concert with a Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award presented to the Pastorius family on the 25th Anniversary of his untimely passing. The ceremony will include a specially-edited advance clip of the upcoming Jaco documentary hosted by Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo. Newly named Berklee Bass Department Chair Steve Bailey will resume his musical director role for annual All-Star-Jam.

An unparalleled clinic line-up, which will once again coincide with gear exhibitors rooms and booths at S.I.R., includes debut spots by Duran Duran’s John Taylor, Metal master Frank Bello (teaming with Megadeth’s David Ellefson), Whitesnake bassist Marco Mendoza, bassist/educator extraordinaire Damien Erskine, and LAMA Bass Department Chair Jerry Watts performing with the John Daversa Progressive Big Band. Returning clinicians include Nathan East, 2010 Bass Player Lifetime Award recipient Alphonso Johnson, Rickey Minor, Hadrien Feraud, and Bobby Vega. In addition, Robert Trujillo and Steve Bailey will present a tribute clinic to Jaco Pastorius, while Phil Chen and Nathan Watts will offer a tribute clinic to the late Bob Babbitt and Duck Dunn. Elsewhere, Brian Bromberg will do a live broadcast of the two-day happenings on his Bass On The Broadband internet radio station, and Stu Hamm will host clinics in the Musician’s Institute room.

Confirmed guest artist appearances include Verdine White, Lee Sklar, Jack Casady, Bakithi Kumalo, Dirk Lance, Evan Brewer, Andrew Gouche, Ready Freddie Washington, Oskar Cartaya, Jimmy Earl, Alex Al, Tim Lefbvre, Mike Elizondo, Gary Grainger, Bernhard Lackner, Sean Hurley, Bubby Lewis, Bunny Brunel, Norm Stockton, Rufus Philpot, Russel Blake, Igor Saavedra and more. All of your favorite gear companies are onboard, as well, such as Warwick (who will feature clinics and performances in their room, daily), Aguilar, Ampeg, Fodera, Hartke, Tech 21, Carvin, MTD, Epifani, Kala U-Bass, DR Strings, Ibanez, Dunlop, Spector, Gibson, Dean Markley, Epiphone, Sukop, Smith, LaBella, newcomers Paul Reed Smith, Elixir Strings, Bass Strings Online, and more. So order your tickets now for what will no doubt be an historic and ground-shaking event!Bass Player Lifetime Award Recipients