John Thompson Leads Cecilian Music Club's Music Hour

“Bass players are the
unsung heroes of the band,” John Thompson told his audience at the
latest session of Alan Wasserman's Music Hour on October 24th,
2017. And he should know; he's been a working musician since he was
16. He's studied with Grammy winner Jaco Patorious, Miroslav Vitous,
and Vic Juris. He's recorded and/or jammed with Clarence Clemons of
the E Street Band, Tom Jones, Lew Soloff of Blood, Sweat, and Tears,
and Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth.

After demonstrating
several basses from his private collection, including his classic
Fender and a 6-string designed by Jackson, John discussed the
essential role the bass player performs in a band. Together with the
drummer, he supplies the rhythm that keeps the whole performance
together. He has to listen carefully to, and work with the drummer,
to keep everyone in the band in sync.

Following the discussion,
John was joined by Alan Wasserman on piano and Tom Sciro on
tambourine. They played “Blue Rondo,” by Dave Brubeck, “How
Insensitive,” by Antono Carlos Jobim, and “Waltz for Debbie,”
by Bill Evans. After this demonstration of the rhythmic support bass
players provide, John also showed how a bass player can solo,
performing renditions of “Norwegian Wood,” and “Eleanor Rigby,”
by the Beatles.

John Thompson can be
reached at bassmanjtfunk@aol.com,
and visit his band's Facebook page at The Trio on the Edge. If you
would like to be added to our email list to be notified of future
music hours, send an email to Alan Wasserman at alanwass@aol.com.

The Cecilian Music Club,
founded in 1883, is an organization of teachers, performers, and
music lovers dedicated to the study and performance of music. For
more information, or to become a member, visit our website at
www.cecilianclub.org.