My Influences:
Thelma Terry Sept. 30, 1901 - Mar. 30, 1966
string bass
Here's one great bassist!
Thelma "Terry" Combs was a band leader and string bassist in her day. She led a few "all-girl" bands. She also led Thelma Terry and Her Playboys - this is the group with which she recorded.
Thelma Terry Sept. 30, 1901 - Mar. 30, 1966
string bass
Here's one great bassist!
Thelma "Terry" Combs was a band leader and string bassist in her day. She led a few "all-girl" bands. She also led Thelma Terry and Her Playboys - this is the group with which she recorded.
Learn about her biographical info here:
http://www.combs-families.org/combs/marriage/thelma.htm
http://www.redhotjazz.com/thelmaterry.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelma_Terry
http://www.combs-families.org/combs/marriage/thelma.htm
http://www.redhotjazz.com/thelmaterry.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelma_Terry
Her recordings:
http://www.redhotjazz.com/terry.html
There's really only six recordings to go on but I think one would be plenty for me. What I hear in her playing is a departure from what a lot of folks will tell you is the "traditional" roll of the bass (bla, bla, bla, bla ...) She doesn't play on 1, 2, 3, and 4 constantly!
This goes into my head and comes out through my hands and onto my bass as: "Play wherever the heck you feel it's right!" (Sounds like another famous quote from another amazing bassist that has MAJORLY influenced my playing!)
And so, I do! (At least, when I'm playing with a band that I know doesn't need that steady a pulse because each band member is subtly making that point already or won't fall apart because something is a little different.
As a string bassist, I don't necessarily feel that it's all-important in these contexts to constantly state 1, 2, 3, and 4 or even just 1 and 3. As a string bassist, I do feel it's all-important to contribute to the melody and harmony just as much as the rhythm!
Of course, I get that from players like Thelma Terry (and Pops Foster and Al Morgan!)
So, this week marks the anniversary of the birth of Thelma "Terry" Combs - phenomenal string bassist! If you have a moment are really enjoy the older styles of jazz, follow those links and study on her. Say, "Happy Birthday Thelma," next Sunday! I will be saying it all week!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is part of the general pattern of misguided policy that our country is now geared to an arms economy, which was bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an incessant propaganda of fear.
http://www.redhotjazz.com/terry.html
There's really only six recordings to go on but I think one would be plenty for me. What I hear in her playing is a departure from what a lot of folks will tell you is the "traditional" roll of the bass (bla, bla, bla, bla ...) She doesn't play on 1, 2, 3, and 4 constantly!
This goes into my head and comes out through my hands and onto my bass as: "Play wherever the heck you feel it's right!" (Sounds like another famous quote from another amazing bassist that has MAJORLY influenced my playing!)
And so, I do! (At least, when I'm playing with a band that I know doesn't need that steady a pulse because each band member is subtly making that point already or won't fall apart because something is a little different.
As a string bassist, I don't necessarily feel that it's all-important in these contexts to constantly state 1, 2, 3, and 4 or even just 1 and 3. As a string bassist, I do feel it's all-important to contribute to the melody and harmony just as much as the rhythm!
Of course, I get that from players like Thelma Terry (and Pops Foster and Al Morgan!)
So, this week marks the anniversary of the birth of Thelma "Terry" Combs - phenomenal string bassist! If you have a moment are really enjoy the older styles of jazz, follow those links and study on her. Say, "Happy Birthday Thelma," next Sunday! I will be saying it all week!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is part of the general pattern of misguided policy that our country is now geared to an arms economy, which was bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an incessant propaganda of fear.
~General Douglas MacArthur
No comments:
Post a Comment