Artist Interviews – Anthony Crawford
BPU: When did you get your first bass ?
AC:I got my first bass when I was 12 years old.
BPU: How did you start playing, and where did you study bass, or self-taught?
AC: How I started to play bass is a unique story. When I was 12 years old, I went to the studio with my father one night so he could pick up some paper work. (My father is a drummer by the name of Hubert Crawford). He told me not to touch anything when I got there. So when I got to the studio, I saw a bass sitting in the corner. I picked up the bass even after he told me not to touch it and from that point on, I knew I wanted to play bass. When I picked up the bass for the first time, it felt natural for me to play it. I am self-taught as well. I learned by watching other bass players play and picking up things I liked and played it my way”
BPU:What were your inspirations and trials you ran into ?
AC: My inspirations where listening to a lot of cool songs that I liked and learning them note for note sometimes. I used learn different solos such, bass solos, guitar solos and sax solos. Sometimes I tried to sound just like the players by using their tones and trying to get in the mind set as they where when learning the songs. I did not go through many trails coming up as a bassist. I always worked hard but a lot of things came natural to me.
BPU: Who influenced you most?
AC: I must say Victor Wooten played a huge role in my bass playing. When I got “ A Show Of Hands” from Victor Wooten, that CD opened up a lot of doors for me with my technical approach to bass.
BPU: What kind of gear do you have(strings included)?
AC: I am using a Roscoe LG model six string bass. I am currently getting a Roscoe SKB six string bass made. I use the Boss GT-10 bass effects. I am using a new line of bass amps, Promethean. The strings I use are Dean Markley.
BPU: What type of music do you enjoy playing most?
AC: I enjoy playing a lot of rock and jazz.
BPU: What is your favorite piece of music?
AC: I prefer rock and modern day pop music.
BPU: What is the biggest thing to recommend any bass player at any level?
AC: I would strongly recommend to always grow in your craft and never forget the role of a bass player when playing with a band.
BPU: What types of strings and fingerboard combination’s do you like?
AC: I like Dean Markley strings and I like the feel and sound of maple fingerboard.
BPU: What do you look for in a bass? What bass do you prefer?
AC: I look for tone and feel of a bass. I look for a clean sound with a lot of clarity when I finger or use the tapping technique. The bass I prefer is Roscoe.
Anthony Crawford is currently signed with Ibanez, and endorsed by Roscoe basses. He is currently working on a new album and will start a tour this summer with drummer Virgil Donati. Anthony has also been working with world renown violinist Karen Briggs. Anthony’s album Urban Jazz can be found which has radio play in England, Poland, Australia, Germany and is available globally on iTunes and you can check his website for more details. Also be sure to keep looking for his soon to be released video for his song “Windy Days!”
We thank Anthony for his time and look forward to seeing more of him the future.
(Photocredit: Donald Spencer Jr. Photography)
Adam Phillips ([email protected])
