In Stanley Clarke's Bass Nation we are giving life lessons for musicians through the eyes of bass players. I’ve played with many musicians and these lessons are a common denominators running through all master musicians.
—Stanley Clarke
Grammy winning bassist Stanley Clarke has developed an 8-episode monthly web series entitled Stanley Clarke’s Bass Nation. The first episode of Stanley Clarke’s Bass Nation will debut November 16 on Stanley Clarke’s YouTube channel. It represents his effort to share the wealth experience he has garnered over his 50-year career as a musician, band member, soloist, arranger, composer, and band leader. The project is about the dynamics of the music industry, recording and performing, and includes Stanley’s conversations with noted musicians, gear reviews, playthroughs and performances. He also has a slew of interesting personal anecdotes, which he imparts regarding his experiences. Stanley Clarke’s Bass Nation’s content relates to musicians of other instruments as well as those who are not musicians, but just love music.
“We are giving life lessons for musicians through the eyes of bass players. I’ve played with many musicians and these lessons are a common denominators running through all master musicians,” states Clarke. “I believe that the platform will be equally interesting to fans and non-musicians. Musician life lessons can also be applied to the lives of all.”
Stanley Clarke’s Bass Nation has been an undertaking Clarke has contemplated for some time. Although he began recording segments pre-Pandemic, the last six months has given him a chance to finish the first season. It has also allowed him time to put together a sleek show with high production value. Clarke anticipates continuing for 3-4 more seasons.
Each month will kick off with a 30-minute episode based on a specific topic. Weekly, new short segment outtakes will be published between the monthly full episodes.
Each full episode has six segments. “One On Ones” are Clarke’s thoughts regarding a specific subject. “Friends From The Globe” is a topic-based online-interview with an esteemed international musician. Another interview segment is titled “In The Know”. Then Clarke talks about some of his favorite bass products for studio and performance in the section titled “My Favorite Things. “Undercover Jams” is a performance segment with Stanley jamming with a musician. Finally, in the “Folksongs” segment you’ll get a close-up playthrough of pieces he has composed over the years for the bass. Songs from the “Folksong” series were specifically composed for the bass, so that any bassist can play them, beginner to master. Initially they were not intended for recording until the legendary drummer Tony Williams suggested Clarke add them to his albums.
“I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised with the content of the interviews. They come from a place of a musician interviewing musicians,” Clarke adds. “I know I learned new things while talking with my peers in this context.”
The topic for the first episode is the importance of one “Being Prepared”. He and Carlitos de Puerto, Jr., discuss the importance of being prepared in session work. Clarke then has a conversation with six-time Grammy winner and inductee to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Verdine White of Earth, Wind, and Fire fame, about musician experiences and obligations. His “Gear Review” is a demonstration of the Roadie Bass Tuner by his tour manager, Travis Rogers. Clarke then jams with drummer Clayton Cameron, the Brush Master. The first episode concludes with Clarke performing the second “Folksong” he composed for the bass, “Lopsy Lu”.
Other guests slated for the season include Jack Cassady, Marcus Miller, Steven “Thundercat” Brunner, Salar Nader, Nik West, Brady Watts, Sekou Bunch, Karl Vincent, Francesca Alinovi, Hadrien Feraud, Aaron Cruz II, Les July, and more.
Stanley Clarke’s Bass Nation series is filmed and produced by Raúl Rivera-Melo and Henry Ordaz as a Los Angeles-Tijuana, cross production. Their innovations make this series unique.
Tune in to Stanley Clarke’s Bass Nation November 16 and join Stanley and his guests.
“We are giving life lessons for musicians through the eyes of bass players. I’ve played with many musicians and these lessons are a common denominators running through all master musicians,” states Clarke. “I believe that the platform will be equally interesting to fans and non-musicians. Musician life lessons can also be applied to the lives of all.”
Stanley Clarke’s Bass Nation has been an undertaking Clarke has contemplated for some time. Although he began recording segments pre-Pandemic, the last six months has given him a chance to finish the first season. It has also allowed him time to put together a sleek show with high production value. Clarke anticipates continuing for 3-4 more seasons.
Each month will kick off with a 30-minute episode based on a specific topic. Weekly, new short segment outtakes will be published between the monthly full episodes.
Each full episode has six segments. “One On Ones” are Clarke’s thoughts regarding a specific subject. “Friends From The Globe” is a topic-based online-interview with an esteemed international musician. Another interview segment is titled “In The Know”. Then Clarke talks about some of his favorite bass products for studio and performance in the section titled “My Favorite Things. “Undercover Jams” is a performance segment with Stanley jamming with a musician. Finally, in the “Folksongs” segment you’ll get a close-up playthrough of pieces he has composed over the years for the bass. Songs from the “Folksong” series were specifically composed for the bass, so that any bassist can play them, beginner to master. Initially they were not intended for recording until the legendary drummer Tony Williams suggested Clarke add them to his albums.
“I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised with the content of the interviews. They come from a place of a musician interviewing musicians,” Clarke adds. “I know I learned new things while talking with my peers in this context.”
The topic for the first episode is the importance of one “Being Prepared”. He and Carlitos de Puerto, Jr., discuss the importance of being prepared in session work. Clarke then has a conversation with six-time Grammy winner and inductee to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Verdine White of Earth, Wind, and Fire fame, about musician experiences and obligations. His “Gear Review” is a demonstration of the Roadie Bass Tuner by his tour manager, Travis Rogers. Clarke then jams with drummer Clayton Cameron, the Brush Master. The first episode concludes with Clarke performing the second “Folksong” he composed for the bass, “Lopsy Lu”.
Other guests slated for the season include Jack Cassady, Marcus Miller, Steven “Thundercat” Brunner, Salar Nader, Nik West, Brady Watts, Sekou Bunch, Karl Vincent, Francesca Alinovi, Hadrien Feraud, Aaron Cruz II, Les July, and more.
Stanley Clarke’s Bass Nation series is filmed and produced by Raúl Rivera-Melo and Henry Ordaz as a Los Angeles-Tijuana, cross production. Their innovations make this series unique.
Tune in to Stanley Clarke’s Bass Nation November 16 and join Stanley and his guests.
For more information contact Diane Hadley Public Relations.
