Andrew Austin - Bassist In Essex, United Kingdom

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Andrew Austin

Bassist in Essex, United Kingdom

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Music 5
Photos 1
Interview 7

How long have you been playing?

Came across a double bass at Oakham School, Rutland at 15 ~ loved it but didn't start playing til I was 21. Found a short scale bass, pretended I could play, found Bachs Cello Studies & met my Mother (she'd left us when we were babies). She had a Cello in her front room & the same Bach music on a music stand as was in my front room.... Hejira by Joni Mitchell had recently come out & she said 'Jaco ~LISTEN!!!'
Played along with records, knew nothing & tried to play all the rhythm, melody & bass line at the same time!!! Met so many along the way though inc Tears for Fears, Tricky, Scritti Politti etc etc.. Eventually taught my self to read music after my 1 & only music lesson, Paddy, a drummer in Bristol who made me clap out drum rhythms...Thank you Paddy!!
Studied Chuck Rainey, Bach, Jaco & Tony Oppenheim ~
First heard Marcus Miller late 70s on a Lenny White album ~ blown away!!

What was the first concert you ever went to?

The Pink Fairies at The Manor Ballroom in Ipswich, Suffolk....'75? Met Twink the drummer 20yrs later who offered a picture disc deal (Synchronicity!!!)

What gear do you use?

Fender Jazz (MM) & late 70's Fretless Jazz.
SWR head & cab.
Roland X8 synth & VS2000 hdr.
Mac Pro 15
Logic Pro 9
Focusrite 8i6

Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?

Marcus Miller, Miles Davis, Crusaders, Joe Zawinul.....

Are you in a band? Have you been in bands?

Loadsa bands!!!! Mainly record my own stuff now.

If you could jam with anyone, who would it be?

Miles Davis, Richard D. Ruttenberg, Peter Erskin, Joe Zawinul & Wayne Shorter. (Oh yeah, I'd get Richard Bona or Ed Poole to play the bass!)

You're stuck on a desert island and only get to bring one album with you. What do you pick?

Talking Heads ~ Remain in Light