The Chicago Bass Ensemble is a unique chamber ensemble made up exclusively of double bassists, performing music with a wide variety of melodic, rhythmic and emotional content on instruments that are not typically seen in a solo role. Audiences who are not familiar with the double bass as a solo instrument are surprised to imagine four basses performing together without accompaniment from any other instruments, and are pleased to find that the music we perform is engaging and expressive. The novelty of the group and the relative unfamiliarity of the instruments often lead the audience to ask questions about the instruments and our decision to play. Since the members of the group love both the instruments and the music we play, we enjoy answering questions, either from the stage or following the performance.
Most people who read this far or hear this much of our description interrupt at this point to ask "Wait, you mean four bass players? Aren't there any other instruments?"
Yep, four bass players. Just bass. No other instruments. It's one of the more unusual ensembles you'll see this year. Now's a good time to visit our performances page. You'll want to know where you can see us live.
But you didn't come to this site to hear us talk about ourselves. Actually, you probably did. Here's the slightly irreverent page about starting the group. Or listen to our interview with bass blogger and podcaster Jason Heath.
And if you've got other questions, want to hire us, or whatever other old thing requires more than one-way communication, our contact page is another link that you can click and wow! faster than you can say "hyper text transmission protocol", you'll be on a page with a nifty web form to send us a message.
So far, we've performed and recorded mostly as a quartet, but there are more than just four bass players in Chicago. Who are the members of the Chicago Bass Ensemble?
A very brief video from our November, 2007 performance at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center:
Ah, we're back in that position of looking for our next gig. Please contact us with any suggestions or invitations you might have!
Now open, our Cafe Press store. Buy a t-shirt! A cap! A coffee mug!
We actually recently sent something to our mailing list. For those of you who might be wary of adding your name to a mailing list, rest assured, this is NOT a high-volume list! Sign Up Now
Wednesday, May 27 at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston, In the Name of Hope, a benefit concert for pianist and composer Michael Miller.
Saturday, May 16, the People's Music School's "Music for Peace" Festival.
Sunday, March 29 at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago1100 East 55th Street, Chicago
March 25, 2009, 7:30 pm Center Portion, 2850 1/2 Fullerton Ave., Chicago.
December 15, 2008, 7 pm Heaven Gallery, 1550 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.
June 20, 2008 We played a short set as a trio at the Elastic Arts Foundation's performance space.