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In the string department, I started high and ended up low. I held the illustrious chair of “special violin” in my youth orchestra at age ten. I was quickly removed to the cello, before settling on the bass at age 17. I played upright bass as a student at York University -- and still have the blisters to prove it.
I now play electric basses, including the six-string and the ever-feared fretless -- and yes, I play it in tune. Early years spent “in the trenches” as a cruise-ship pit orchestra player gave me a strong foundation in multiple music styles, sightreading, on-the-spot flexibility, and a lifelong aversion to white pants and deck shoes. As a bassist, I've played jazz with the FreePlay Duo, world fusion with autorickshaw and Kobena Aquaa-Harrison, R+B/Soul with the Soul Foundation and guitar-based roots music with Ray Montford. Performance highlights include the Stockholm International Jazz Festival, an Irish Yoga retreat, and a former Rajah’s Palace in Jaipur, India. |
All pieces recorded at my own FreePlay Studios
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1. Six-string, solo with voice: "Amber" (D. Bell)
2. Fretless: "Monsoon" (S. Sankaran)
3. Funk: "Solkattu Funk" (S. Sankaran/D. Bell)

Wow! Chops, tone, feel... You've got it all!
-- George Koller, world- renowned bassist