New verison: Band in a Box 2009 for Mac

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PG Music has recently launched a major Update of the Band in a box music accompaignment software: version 2009 for Mac. Most impressive new feature is RealTracks: while older versions (version 12, released in 2004) have still used MIDI instruments, the 2009 version comes with a variety of different great sounding tracks and styles. Real instruments, recorded and cut into smaller units of e.g. 4 or 8 bars can be put together by BiaB to complete new changes. So finally, Biab knows how to swing … there is no demo version available, but you can get a brief preview at Youtube.

How Low Can You Go?

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Dust-to-Digital has published a 3-CD-Box with early american recordings of the double bass. This box comes with a 96 page booklet, and covers music „from tuxedoed symphony ensembles to tipsy calypso bands to honkytonkers in oil-field dives, from elegantly gelled tango orchestras to jazz combos in unspeakable speak-easys to methed-out rockabilly trios“ …

(Thanks, Edward, for this link submisson)

Quote: Billboard Magazine 1926

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All over New York it has been noticed that, with most of the prominent bands, the string bass, alias ‘bull fiddle,’ alias ‘dog house,’ is replacing the tuba. Leaders agree that the string bass has a far greater carrying power than the tuba, and that it blends much more effectively. Practically all of the exponents of the tuba double in string bass, so the only inconvenience resulting from the switch will be the difference in sizes of the instrument cases, which, take our word for it, is plenty.

Billboard, April 10, 1926

Stradivarius – Myth and Music

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Stradivarius – Myth and Music is the name of an exhibition that will be shown at the Wallraf Richartz Museum at Cologne (Germany) in spring next year. From 5 March 2010, the celebrated picture gallery will be host to over 50 stringed instruments from the hand of the legendary Antonio Stradivarius (1648-1733).

The exhibits are largely from private collectors and only rarely put on public view. Additional loans will be made by international museums, high-ranking foundations and celebrated musicians. This, the largest selection of Stradivariuses ever assembled in the world, will be shown exclusively at the Wallraf for just 17 days – from 5 to 21 March 2010. Parallel to this, a concert series is planned in which renowned soloists will appear at the museum and play their very own Stradivariuses.

 Update: the exhibition has been cancelled!

Leonard Gaskin †

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Leonard Gaskin died Saturday morning, January 24, 2009. According to workers  at Ozanam Hall, the nursing home in Bayside, Queens where Mr. Gaskin had  been living for the last several years, he did not experience any prolonged illness, but died of natural causes.
Gaskin has worked with Dizzy Gillespie and other beboppers in the mid-1940ies. In the 1950ies, he became one of the favourite bassplayers of the neo-traditional-movement around Eddie Condon, Bud Freeman and Ruby Braff. In the 1960ies, he worked with Lightnin’ Hopkins, Sonny Stitt and Brother Jack McDuff.