Gerald Veasley, one of Philadelphia’s most celebrated bassists and a bass instructor at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, is presenting the Bass BootCamp All-Star Concert at Ardmore Music Hall on March 17.
The concert will feature world-renowned solo bassist Michael Manring, Divinity Roxx Trio, and the Pablo Batista Latin Jazz Ensemble featuring Chico Huff. Veasley and bassist Victor Wooten will perform as special guests with the ensemble.
The concert is presented in conjunction with Veasley’s Bass BootCamp – described as “the ultimate experience for bassists” – from March 16 to 18. For the first time since Veasley founded the Bass BootCamp in 2002, the Bass BootCamp All-Star Concert will be held at a premier venue in order to encourage interest beyond BootCamp participants. And though the performers feature bass players, the concert will be enjoyed by all music lovers.
About the Performers:
?Michael Manring is one of the world’s most celebrated solo bassists. He has been pushing the envelope artistically with the bass guitar for over 3 decades. A student of the late bass legend Jaco Pastorius, Manring has developed an unorthodox technique and style that is all his own. He performs jazz, fusion and classical music in a way that the listener has likely never experienced. For more information visit www.manthing.com.
?Divinity Roxx attended a bass camp led by Victor Wooten and only 3 months later she was invited to tour with him. After 5 years with Wooten she was hired as bassist and assistant musical director for Beyonce. But it is with her trio that she is really able to shine. She fronts the band as well as playing bass and the music is described as “the ultimate mash-up of hip-hop, rock and funk.” For more information visit www.divinityroxx.com.
?The Pablo Batista Latin Jazz Ensemble is led by master percussionist Pablo Batista. He has performed and recorded with Alicia Keys, Grover Washington, Jr., Veasley and many others. Batista’s Latin Jazz Ensemble features another one of Philadelphia’s great bassists, Chico Huff. For more information visit www.facebook.com/mambosyndicate.
?Gerald Veasley not only leads his own band, he has performed and recorded with the late Grover Washington, Jr., Joe Zawinul, Pieces of a Dream and many more. He hosts the Unscripted Jazz Series at SOUTH Restaurant in Philadelphia, where he has presented over 150 performances. His latest recording “Live at SOUTH” was released in January of this year. For more information visit www.geraldveasley.com.
?Victor Wooten, a 5-time Grammy Award-winner, began playing bass with his brothers at age 5. He is perhaps best known as a founding member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Wooten has also released numerous other recordings. In addition, Wooten is a naturalist and educator. He founded Victor Wooten’s Center for Music and Nature where he runs camps for musicians of all ages. For more information visit www.victorwooten.com
About the Bass BootCamp
The Bass BootCamp was founded in 2002 by Gerald Veasley, Roxanne Veasley and Lee Patterson. It serves bassists of all ages and levels of experience. Workshops will be taught by instructors Manring, Roxx, Huff, Wooten and others.
Veasley, an instructor at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, said he had always loved teaching. He was inspired to create the Bass BootCamp from an experience that he had in 2001.
“I did a workshop in Austria where I worked with a whole group of students of various instruments, and it was just for a weekend,” said Veasley in a telephone interview from his home in Philadelphia. “I was amazed at seeing how people could develop so quickly, if you inspire them, in a three-day weekend, as opposed to a semester. That was very interesting to me.”
After one of his Veasley’s private students attended the first year of Wooten’s bass and nature camp and told Veasley about the experience, he had an ‘aha’ moment. He decided to create a weekend camp but in a more conventional setting, “to inspire bass players of all ages and all levels.”
The camp has served over 700 bass players from all over the world since its inception.
“The most significant thing that’s changed (over the years) is that the students themselves have become a community. There’s that connection that the students have with one another. About half our students come multiple years. We get first-timers, but we get a lot of repeat people who really take ownership of the camp themselves and teach and inspire one another.”
About the Philadelphia BassGear Expo
Now in its seventh year, the Philadelphia BassGear Expo is an event held in conjunction with the BootCamp where BootCamp attendees as well as the public can interact with product manufacturers and see bass-related products. There will be giveaways, demonstrations and much more. It is free to members of the public with advance registration.
