Jason Bertone is a double bassist who calls Brooklyn, New York home. Bertone uncovered a serious interest in music during his early teenage years, switching from snare drum to bass guitar late in middle school. He began improvising (as well as being involved in choral music) in his native New Jersey, and upon completing high school chose to attend Hampshire College for its innovative academic program that would allow him to combine his interests in music and the social sciences. Bertone took a serious interest in jazz and American folk music and began playing the double bass. He moved to New York City in 2008 in hopes of furthering his career as a writer but gravitated back to music, becoming involved in the city's folk, gypsy and trad jazz scenes. Strongly influenced by Pops Foster, he may very well be the only swing-oriented bassist in these parts to embrace the traditional "slap bass" style that originated in New Orleans but has been largely ignored by jazz pedagogy. Bertone performs everywhere from bars, hotels, loft parties, art galleries, worship spaces, nightclubs, subway platforms, and Central Park. If you see him about, feel free to say hello.
Gear
A very loud German double bass with gut strings. I also have a high quality,
compact bass amp (Carvin MB10) for any gig that requires it.
Uncovering early examples of their song styles is an
obsession...and a onetime academic pursuit of Bertone's, who
studied musicology...Still, no matter how formal, or how rooted in
history, the band's improvisational ethos is the source of their
energy. - NY Daily News, July 2011
Primary Instrument
Bass, acoustic
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
BA in jazz history - Hampshire College. Studied with Dr. Rebecca Miller.
I teach slap bass in the style of the New Orleans jazz legend, but also have
extensive professional experience playing country western, bluegrass, and
rockabilly. I love working with students who are into the jazz and swing stuff,
but I am happy to build a slap curriculum around whatever style the student is
interested in, still taking care to see they get a little of everything.
At one point I switched from bass guitar to double bass, so I have a lot of
practical advice for players looking to add the instrument
Read more
Primary Instrument
Bass, acoustic
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
BA in jazz history - Hampshire College. Studied with Dr. Rebecca Miller.
I teach slap bass in the style of the New Orleans jazz legend, but also have
extensive professional experience playing country western, bluegrass, and
rockabilly. I love working with students who are into the jazz and swing stuff,
but I am happy to build a slap curriculum around whatever style the student is
interested in, still taking care to see they get a little of everything.
At one point I switched from bass guitar to double bass, so I have a lot of
practical advice for players looking to add the instrument. I also have some
formal training, so I would also be a good teacher for a "legit" classical or
modern jazz player trying to get a handle on the roots / slap stuff while
maintaining their technique and physical approach.
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