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Rob Gourlay

Born in Seattle, Washington, Rob Gourlay spent most of his early years in the green mountains of Vermont. "My dad had a part-time vending business, and we often had a jukebox blasting music in the kitchen. I started playing guitar in 6th or 7th grade and loved it immediately. I had an opportunity to work on a variety of rock and jazz/rock music by artists such as Jeff Beck and Stanley Clarke and was also introduced to Jaco Pastorius and Weather Report.

My big chance came when my brother's band, Tank, needed a bass player for a big New Year's gig. I had always learned their tunes, and that really paid off when they gave me the chance to play bass. The supposed one-shot-gig turned into a steady gig with great musicians on a new instrument. I was playing a Rickenbacker 4001 through an Ampeg V4B as my first bass rig. I never put the bass down after that show."

The following years for Rob have been filled with over 4000 performances at clubs, colleges, concert halls, and radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada with various groups and sharing stages with artists such as Hall and Oates, Extreme, Johnny Lang, Patty Griffin, Joe Jackson, Joan Osborne, John Hiatt, Eddie Money, Southside Johnny, Kasey Chambers, Five For Fighting. Rob has recorded and performed with Lionel Loueke(Herbie Hancock), Jim Stinnett, Michael Manring, Steve Bailey, Rufus Reid, Dom Moio, Joe Hunt(Bill Evans,Stan Getz),Todd Johnson & many others.

Rob is also the author of the highly acclaimed new series of bass books ; Walking In The Footsteps Of Paul Chambers, Walking In The Footsteps of Sam Jones, and Walking In The Footsteps of Doug Watkins. His most recent Recordings& DVD releases include: Project M with Michael Manring, Jim & Grant Stinnett & his debut solo CD “Let’s Do It” with Tim Theriault (Sully Erna) on Guitar and drummers Dave DiCenso(Steve Morse,Duran,Duran) and Gord Gourlay.

Gear

Basses: Fodera Matt Garrison Imperial 5-String Rob Allen Mb-2f 5-String (EADGC) Musicman Sterling Pedulla Buzz Fretless 100-year-old German carved string bass with David Gage Realist pickup Amps: SWR Mo Bass Epifani T-410 EAW 2x15, 4x7 GK 200MB Mesa Boogie 2x10 60's Ampeg B18 Effects: SWR Mo Bass Digitech Jamman EBS Octabass Digitech Bass Synth Wah Boss T-2 Tuner Boss Gt-6b Multi Effects Strings: Fodera Strings La Bella Deep Talkin' 760N


Tags

"Rob is a world class bassist. He has a comprehensive understanding of the instrument, a rich sense of creativity and a dynamic performing style. I have no doubt he will continue to do great things with the instrument." - Michael Manring

"Rob, your playing is solid as a rock and what great diversity in your playing concepts. It is wonderful to hear such clarity throughout the instrument and you never let the groove suffer! You are so facile on the instrument whether laying down the bottom or soloing. BRAVO! It was a real treat for me. Thank you" - Rufus Reid

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Let's Do It

Ebenella Music
2008

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Videos

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