Home base Middletown, CT

Occupation Middle-school band director

Gigs Michael Cleary Band, Marcel Blanchet and Beyond the Sun

Basses Modulus Quantum 6, Lakland 4-string, 1950s Kay upright

Rig Gallien-Krueger MB500 head, two G-K Neo 210 2x10 cabinets

Effects Radial Tonebone Bassbone, Digitech Whammy, Line 6 Echo Park

Strings, etc. Rotosound strings, Monocase strap, and Monocase dual bass case

Heroes & inspiration Doug Wimbish, Jaco Pastorius, Brian Torff, Dave Anderson, Volkan Orhon

Contact jeddbass.com

How did you come to play bass?

When I was 13, friends of mine had a rock band and needed a bass player, so I started playing bass. Then in college, my professors told me I’d get more work if I also played upright so I started playing upright and eventually went on to get my masters in classical performance from the University of Connecticut.

What’s a lesson you’ve learned along the way?

You have to be versatile! Like an actor, you have to be able to play convincingly in many genres. Having proper gear helps.

What are your musical goals?

My goal is to be recognized as an accomplished musician and to be able to play with and be sought after by top-level musicians.

Want to introduce yourself? Find submission guidelines at bassplayer.com/august2012. Get selected for The Real World and receive a set of D’Addario EXL170 bass strings and a T-shirt. All those who submit will receive D’Addario’s FretBuzz newsletter.