New LAMA Concert Announced

John Daversa Small Band featuring LAMA’s Bass Department Chair Jerry Watts

Open up your calendar and add this date! LAMA has just announced the John Daversa Small Band will play a concert at LAMA May 22, 8-10pm in the performance hall. If you’ve never experienced this group before, it is a real treat. Daversa leads the powerhouse ensemble which transitions with ease from sections of incredible sensitivity to vignettes of intensity rivaling that of John’s own Big Band. The cast of characters:

EVI/Trumpet: John Daversa

Tenor Saxophonist: Robby Marshall

Keyboardists: Brandon Coleman & Tommy King

Guitarist: Zane Carney

Bassist: Jerry Watts

Drummer: Gene Coye

Check out this performance of “The Bridge” — amazing.

-LAMA Staff

LAMA’s Jerry Watts Exclusive Interview in FBPO

LAMA’s Bass Department Jerry Watts was featured on For Bass Players Only, doing an exclusive interview with writer Jon Liebman. Watts chats about his musical upbringing, playing bass, LAMA and his first instrument, the accordion! Get the complete lowdown, here: http://www.forbassplayersonly.com/Interviews/Jerry-Watts.html.

-LAMA Staff

Jerry Watts Performs With John Daversa

If you’ve never seen John Daversa’s “small band” or orchestra, you are definitely missing out on some great music and musicianship! LAMA Bass Department Chair Jerry Watts has been performing with John for some time now — here is a clip from a recent performance at the Blue Whale in Los Angeles. Enjoy!

-LAMA Staff

Rufus Philpot Visits LAMA Bass Department

A special someone stopped by to give LAMA’s “lowenders” a lesson this week. In case you weren’t aware, Rufus Philpot is BEAST! Photos via bass department chair Jerry Watts’ Instagram (@j_double_diz)

Rufus Philpot BIO:

Ten years ago, bassist Rufus Philpot moved from his native land of London, England to the United States to pursue his musical vision. His first port of call was New York City. Whilst there, he rapidly became a much sought after bassist, with a reputation for his complete versatility, musicality and total command of the instrument, whether on fretted, fretless, four, five or six string..

Rufus was also invited to join the faculty of the world renowned Drummers / Bass Collective. In addition to teaching advanced classes with Tania Maria drummer Kim Plainfield, he performed regular seminar concerts with his own trio, JVR-featuring Spyro Gyra & Michel Camilo drummer Joel Rosenblatt.

In 2004, Rufus moved to Los Angeles, touring the U.S. with British Acid Jazz group Down to the Bone (acting as Musical Director), playing in a trio with Kirk Civington;s CPT Kirk, touring with Lao Tizer-and playing locally with such virtuosi as Scott Henderson, Steve Weingart, Tony Macalpine, Brandon Fields, Joel Taylor, and Mitch Forman.

Read the rest of Rufus’ complete bio here: http://www.rufusbass.com/bio.html

-LAMA Staff

Tina Wood Visits for a Master Class at LAMA

Tech and repair expert (and guitarist) Tina Wood visited LAMA for a master class, showing our “low-enders” what it’s all about! Bass department Chair Jerry Watts, Jr. shot a couple photos through his Instagram. Everyone had a great time learning from her — she has a new fan club 🙂 The LAMA students love master classes like these…we have them for all departments and more are coming soon!

-LAMA Staff

Why You Should Learn to Play Bass in Los Angeles

Bass Department Chair Jerry Watts discusses the advantages of learning to play bass at a school like LA Music Academy: