Rodney plays double bass, audio records our concerts, and joined us in February 2011.
How long have you been playing double bass?
I started playing double bass 5 years ago in 2010 when I inherited it from my step-grandfather. Prior to that, I had been playing the electric bass for a number of years and moved on to a fretless electric bass. While on the fretless, I experimented with bowing with a viola bow, which was my stepping stone to playing the double bass. When I finally got my hands on a real one, I found bowing to be a lot easier and more natural than on the fretless. I continue to play it because it’s challenging, I find it enjoyable, people love the novelty of it, and its sound. Also, I can incorporate it into so many different facets of music: orchestral, rock, belly dance, etc. which makes it exceptionally interesting.
How did you come to join QUO?
I was searching online for an orchestra to join so I could play with other string players and get more experience playing the double bass. I found QUO on a post Jim put up on Craigslist.
What is your favorite place to take friends visiting NYC?
Central Park would be my favorite place to visit & take friends visiting NYC, where we would do laps around the park on foot, bike, inline skates, or the scooter—-if you’re into that sort of thing, and listen to the various musicians who play there.
Question from Jim: What was the wildest or oddest gig for which you played the bass?
I performed at a private party in the woods where the host brewed 100 gallons of different craft beers just for the event. There were several different music acts; I played bass for a country band and a belly dance group, and there were various other groups, and DJ’s. In the middle of all this was a 15-foot camp fire adorned by an elaborate flammable, artistic wooden structure meant to be burned in a ceremonial manner.