Meet the Team

Mike started playing early in high school with friends getting guitars and drums, the bass seemed like a natural direction to go. With the likes of Robert Trujillo, Flea, Cliff Burton, and many more influences catching his eyes and ears, a musical direction was forged and bass lead the way. What began as a hobby quickly turned into a passion. Following were years of bands, gigs, recording, jamming as much as possible! Over the years a philosophy has developed, there will always be something to learn, always someone that can teach you something, a good song is a good regardless of style or genre, and above all, to keep an open mind and a positive attitude.

Arran began playing bass at 15 and has since toured nationally and internationally, across 23 countries from Europe to India. He is known for his virtuosic fretless bass playing in metal bands De Profundis and Seven7.
He is also performing in the female-fronted metal band Splintered Soul, jazz-funk act Mr Little’s Noisy Band and many other cover and tribute acts. He has also done a lot of musical theater work, playing classic and contemporary musicals. When he’s not playing, he co-runs independent jazz/world music label MGP Records. Arran is endorsed by Ibanez Guitars and Rotosound Strings.

www.arranmcsporran.com

Polar Sky is a bassist from Melbourne, Australia.

Amongst a variety of musical projects; She is a Youtube Musician. She posts original solos with the aim of creating peaceful, relaxing music for her audience to unwind to.

Her favorite bassists include Tal Wilkenfeld, Zander Zon, Jeremy Davis and Victor Wooten.

Outside of bass she holds a keen interest in Art, Film, RPGs, Axolotls and television show Adventure Time (as evident in the naming of her jazz bass after Adventure Time character ‘Randy Butternubs’).

Danny Fox is the head of bass guitar studies at The University of Sheffield in the North of his native England, UK.He has been playing for 20 years and has played, recorded and studied all genres of music.Best known for his solo compositions, he is keen to teach the building blocks of music applied to bass, to help others share that passion.He endorses Franz Bass Guitars (Germany) and LightWave Bass Guitars (USA).

bassmandannyfox.com

After attending an Iron Maiden tribute show when he was 14 and hearing the deep and massive low end of an electric bass being played live, Iván decided that the bass was going to be his instrument. A few weeks after the show, he bought his first bass and for the next couple of years spent all of his free time practicing and playing with different bands from school and from his hometown, Lima.

After finishing high school in 2010, Iván decided to pursue a career in music and studied under the wings of several great musicians from the music scene in Peru (Noel Marambio, Matías Recharte, Javier Perez-Saco, etc).

Being exposed to several different music genres throughout his life, Iván developed a flexibility that allows him play in different music situations such as: rock, pop, funk, blues, latin, etc. His playing style is influenced by artists such as Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, David Ellefson, Steve Harris, Joscha Oetz, Noel Marambio, Janek Gwizdala, among others.

Currently, Iván is studying for a bachelor degree in Music at the University of Applied Sciences in Osnabrück, Germany.

Ric Rumbolt was raised in a small town in rural Newfoundland, Canada. Ric developed a taste for music by the time he was 10, and knew one day he would become a musician.

Ric started playing guitar by the age of 10 and realized that he only wanted to play the baselines of songs. Ric started using just the four top strings because he couldn’t afford a bass at the time. It was later that Ric heard Metallica , and his life was instantly transformed. Cliff Burton left a huge impression, with his bass work in Anesthesia and Orion.

Ric knew then that he wanted to learn what Cliff was doing, and like many became fascinated with Cliff Burton, David Ellefson of Megadeth and Steve Harris of Iron Maiden.

The more fascinated Ric became, the more he would tell people that he would one day open up for Metallica. Of course none of his peers believed him, but he later proved them wrong. In his teen age years, Ric moved to St John’s Newfoundand and began meeting other musicians with similar taste in music. At the age of 2, Ric moved to Prince Edward Island, Canad and joined forces with the band Negative J, a very Tool influenced band, and remained with that band until they disbanded in 07. In 08 Ric started playing with Death Valley Driver, and after playing together for a few years they opened for Metallica. Ric still talks about it as a surreal moment in his life! Ric also had the opportunity to open up for several other bands such as : Morbid Angel, Seether, Protest The Hero, Coheed And Cambria, Cryptopsy, Cancer Bats and 3 Inches Of Blood.

In 2013 Ric parted ways with Death Valley Driver to focus on his family life. Ric remains an active musicians as he cannot stay away from it, and plays with an AC/DC tribute band called Riff Raff just for fun, and Eviscerator, a thrash meets death metal band. No matter what the future holds Ric will always love the bass. Ric has always encouraged everyone who feels the drive to have music in their lives to listen to the call, no matter what kind of music, but hold on, it can be a bumpy ride.

Marlena Rutkowska lives in Skierniewice, a small town in central Poland. Marlena has been playing bass for 6 years now, and collaborates with many artists, as a session musician. Metal genre would be is her beloved music style, and has recently recorded an album with the band “Made of Hate “. Marlena considers playing bass is not only her job, but also a way of life. Through her passion, Marlena has met many wonderful people all over the world, for instance Bass Players United. She uses bass „skervesen” with fanned frets manufactured by polish company ,and fender jazz bass.

Shelby Jansen is from Perth, Australia,. As a child shelby was a flautist and classically trained vocalist, with an interest in the performing arts and music, however she wasn’t able to pursue those opportunities due to relocating to a small country town, so instead spent the coming years supporting the local music scene doing events, promotions, sound and lighting as well as graphic design.

Shelby discovered the punk band AFI at the age of 11, which sparked her interest in heavier rock and metal music, and shortly after, she began borrowing friends guitars to teach herself how to play. To this day Shelby credits Hunter Burgan’s work on AFI’s earlier albums as one of her main inspirations to play bass. When she was given opportunity to play bass as a full time recording and touring member with her current band “Deadspace” she realised her scoliosis and back pain was going to present a challenge doing this, but instead of letting that deter her she decided to find a solution, and has since become one of the few people who uses short scale basses to play in drop tuning in the metal genre, where 5 strings and long scales are the standard. As lover of a modern bass tone, most of her basses are Warwick’s and she recently had them make one of their iconic thumb basses in a 30″ scale, which is her pride and joy. Outside of music and bass, she works as an IT Systems Engineer, she is a huge Dragon Ball Z fan, and likes to spends time with her pet birds.

Ema Oprisan was born on 25th august of 2001 in a small city of Romania, Focsani. Ema later moved into North Italy where she currently resides. Ema being from a musical family naturally picked up bass at an early age. Ema enjoys bands such as Three Days Grace and Thousand Foot Krutch, which she credits to picking up the bass guitar. Ema also credits her music teacher, Luciano Migliore who has helped her along her musical journey.

Ewa Owczarek was born in 1994, and picked up the acoustic guitar at the age 14. After a few years of playing guitar, Ewa realized that she would rather play bass guitar. Shortly after deciding this, Ewa met instructor Adam Fulara, and started taking lessons from him. Ewa considers Adam a huge inspiration for continuing with Bass. Ewa took it upon herself to have, and learn vast variety of music genres, and is now working on some solo projects. Ewa very much enjoys classical music, especially baroque music.

She was born in Cagliari and she started playing at the age of 14.
She set up her first band in 1999, an alternative rock band called ‘Faded Blossom’ in which she also sang. They recorded an EP and after many changes of line-up she decided to break up the band in 2007.
She had already joined another local band in 2006, Okay Daisy, and she has been playing bass with this trio for 3 years.
Her last project, Worn Out was born in 2009, they recorded one EP (A present for you) and their first full length in 2014, Spleen. Their stuff is all available on the net, and the album is dowloadable for free on their band camp.
The band is very active, they play a lot and they are planning their european tour at the moment.
In 2015 she joined another rock band called Plasticdrop, during this year they opened for many international bands (including Adolescents for example) .
They’re recording their first full length at the moment.

Jermaine Morgan is a professional bassist , producer, songwriter, and artist living in Atlanta GA. He has several solo bass albums that he’s recorded and released over the years. Jermaine is also the founder of Say It With Your Strings – the online bass competition that united and highlighted up-and-coming bass players all around the world. Jermaine Morgan hopes to inspire, influence, and encourage others through his music.

Emilce Garrido alias Memi, It’s an “almost” Architect from Argentina who fell in love with bass guitar in a local concert in 2007. After that Memi dedicated hours of listening and practicing along her influences to become a better player. Memi’s influences include: Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, Riverside, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots, Meme is also a huge 90’s grunge lover and huge fan of prog rock.

Memi participated in two musical projects: Lust (2011) and Inaltera (2013). In 2013 and 2014 Inaltera won first place in a local band contest.

Jared Lees is a solo bassist from Northeast Ohio. His use of fretted and fretless basses, and a variety of spatial effects gives Jared a dynamic and unique voice in the bass community. To date he has released three records as a solo artist, and is currently working on his fourth with members from his band. Jared has been playing bass for nearly 20 years, and has also toured and recorded with various Indie groups and artists such as Ryan Humbert, Winslow, and Via Lotus.
jaredlees.com

Former A&R Rep and Booking Agent in Los Angeles and former Journalist/Editorial Administrator for the Santa Monica Observer, Selina started playing the bass seriously in 2012. Since then, she has played shows across the country and has appeared on three albums: Joey Kline’s “Rude Is The New Polite”, The Music Therapy Experiment’s “Egg Salad Surgery” (a beta release) and The Music Therapy Experiment’s debut album “Make It Home.” She was born and raised in Mobile Alabama and has lived in places such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego and Tulsa before moving back to her hometown. Since Selina has joined the bass community, she has had the pleasure of talking to some of her favorite bass players like Victor Wooten, Michael Manring and Billy Sheehan to name a few. “The Fox” is a nickname that was given to her to describe the way she plays billiards and it also happens to be her favorite animal.

Aram’s debut album of funk driven, melodic pieces instantly earned him international acclaim for it’s balance of technical achievement and musicality and solidified his place on the forefront of bass innovation. He is hard at work on the follow-up, A Dark Light, set for release in 2015. His performance, tutorial and demo videos have earned millions of views and an ever expanding fan base. He has performed on stages across North America and appeared on dozens of albums. As an instructor, he owns and operates The Bass Dojo in Burlington, Vermont, teaches at multiple colleges and gives lessons worldwide via webcam.

He plays a unique signature bass made by world-renowned luthier Jens Ritter and is a spokesman for Hartke, Dunlop, DR Strings and Neunaber.

arambedrosian.com

Alysha Moore has been playing bass since she was 16. Alysha studied music at Weston College, and Bath Spa University. While attending Bath Spa University Alysha was playing with Cliff Moore, doing local festivals, and was doing RMI workshops. In 2012 while still attending University, Alysha went through The Bass Boost program at BPU working along side artist such as Damian Erskine and Arran McSporron on improving her playing. Alysha has mainly been doing covers on you tube and has a large fan base. Only recently has Alysha starting to do her own music. Alysha considers Flea, Mark King, Louis Johnson some of her biggest influences. Alysha is a team member at Bass Players United and is working on some upcoming projects.

Nathan is a virtuosic and forward-thinking player from the USA. He is credited as the founder of Hot Hand-controlled “bass wobbles” in organic Electronic music, and is a highly regarded bassist in Metal and Progressive genres. As a professional bassist, Nathan keeps busy with international demonstrations, satellite recording sessions, bass-product development, and various other gigs. He is currently endorsed by: Spector, Source Audio, Ashdown, Dunlop, MXR, iZotope, Toontrack, Temple Audio, Voodoo Lab, Timber Tones, Ampeg, and WalknTalk.

Some of his projects include working with artists:
Pinn Panelle (Live Electronic Sensation)
Felix Martin (16-String Guitarist)
Daniel Voth (Virtuosic Percussive Acoustic Guitarist)
Corelia (Progressive Metal Phenomenon)
Marco Minnemann (Drummer for Paul Gilbert, The Aristocrats, Necrophagist)
Les “Survivorman” Stroud (TV Celebrity, Songwriter, Harmonicist)

He has also worked with producers: Sylvia Massy (Tool, Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers),Mike Clink (Megadeth, Guns n Roses, Motley Crue), Danny Greenspoon (5-Time Juno Winner), Noel Golden (Matchbox Twenty, Triumph, Whitesnake)

Jayme Lewis has been working for years as a sideman, an artist and a small business-owner residing in Northern Los Angeles. He is a national touring bassist and studio musician, a record producer, author and music educator. Having discovered the bass guitar at the age of 7, he began to passionately pursue the instrument throughout his youth. After graduating in 2008 from California State University of Northridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, Jayme began a career as a sideman in L.A. and has played with numerous artists from around the country, as well as cutting his teeth in the studio tracking cues for Disney and Nickelodeon. In 2012 he began a career as an artist and released his first record, When Will Then Be Now? On top of teaching privately at the The Lewis Music Academy in Moorpark, CA, Jayme still manages to gig and tour full time, host a bass Podcast, maintain several online businesses and produce artists out of his recording studio, Second Story Studios.

http://www.jaymelewis.com

Dean started out playing guitar at age 14 with a passion for heavy metal, but as his musical tastes grew so did his love for the bass. At the age of sixteen Dean had switched to bass as his main instrument. Dean eariest musical heroes ranged from Norwood Fisher, Robert Trujillo, Billy Gould,Les Claypool, Flea, and Stuart Zender. While Deans musical tastes grew, so did his influences to Boosty Collins, Jaco Pastorius, Larry Grayham, Victor Wooten, and many more.

“I’ve been playing live since 1993 and have been a part of many musical projects over the years and bands like Primates Of, Nico Tyrell, Khoda, Black Molasses & Boddickers”.

“I love everything about playing live, studio sessioning and writing with other like minded musicians and I hope that my musical adventures will still take me to many wonderful places to meet many wonderful and colourful people”.

Deans musical tastes are so varied that he can’t stick to one style of playing, so whether it’s Rock, Metal, Funk, Soul, jazz, Electronic or any other genre of music, he continues to adapt his playing style to fit.

Dean is currently recording with Boddickers and has started work on a new project that has a working title of “Kneel Before Zod” as well as being on the Bass Players United team and working with Bananaphish Studios.

Sarah Clark picked up bass after joining her first band at the age of 15. She has been performing ever since and has played alongside numerous, talented musicians. Self-taught, she grew up with a love of music and singing, and has always been greatly inspired by women in the rock world. Her style of playing is melodic and driving, and her bass of choice is a Fender Jazz. She resides in Central Massachusetts and enjoys playing throughout New England, especially in the greater Boston area. Currently, she is the bassist/vocalist/composer in two different rock bands, “Gone in the Rearview” and “Brian Chaffee & the Players”. Sarah is a big fan of DIY culture, preferring alternative, indie and punk rock styles. Some of her favorite bands include Throwing Muses, Pixies, Radiohead, and St. Vincent.

Luciana Valdés (LULI BASS), nació un 21 de Mayo en la ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Comenzó a interesarse por la música desde muy temprana edad. A los 9 años de edad comenzó a tocar el bajo.

Desde los 13 años comenzó a tocar con artistas reconocidos de la Argentina, como Miguel “Botafogo” Vilanova, Black Amaya, Daniel Raffo, Alambre González, Ciro Fogliatta, Juanse (de Ratones Paranoicos), entre otros.

Actualmente es bajista de JIMMY RIP AND THE TRIP y Led Ladies.

Es Endorsment de: Lakland Basses, Aguilar Amplification, DR Strings, Correas Antitodo, Vulk.

Luciana became interested in music at a very early age. At the age of 9 she had already started playing bass, and at the age of 13 she started playing with renowned artist of Argentina such as: Miguel “Botafogo” Vilanova, Black Amaya, Daniel Raffo, Alambre Gonzalez, Ciro Fogliatta, Juanse (of Ratones Paranoicos), among others. Luciana is currently the bass for Jimmy and The Trip Trip, and Led Ladies.

Miki Santamaria is a professional bass player and guitar player endorsed by Yamaha, EBS, Lorita Basses and Happy Ears and is pleased and honored to work -or have worked- with: Burn the Floor (World Tour 2016), Doctor Prats, Rock of Ages (the musical), Phredley Brown (Musical Director and guitarist for Bruno Mars), Abraham Laboriel Sr, Stuart Zender (Jamiroquai), Drew De Four (from Detroit), Discípulos de Otilia (touring Spain, Europe and Japan in 2008-2010), I Want U Back (Michael Jackson Tribute), La Banda de Buenafuente, Slam Allen (NYC), Charlie Love (from Chicago), Swagger Funk (function band from the UK), Brodas Bros, El Niño de la Hipoteca, Californicators (RHCP Tribute), Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits tribute), Llibert Fortuny, Monica Green, Antonio Orozco, Sergio Dalma, Kayo Malayo, La Carrau, Gnaposs, Miguel Talavera, Andreu Martinez, Pirat’s Sound Sistema, Jadel, Lidia Guevara, Joan Rovira, Lucas Masciano, Raul Gómez, Litus, Rossvelvet, David Espín, Da Igual, Frank Mercader, Ivet Vidal, Lorenzo Santamaria, La Marató de TV3 (TV Show), La Partida de TV3 (TV Show), among many others. Miki teaches electric bass at Superior Music School “ESEM Taller de Músics” in Barcelona.

Dmitry Lisenko is from Latvia, and has been playing bass since he was 16 years old. He was rejected at a music school due to the lack of ear training and theory knowledge. “It’s better to be a good street cleaner, then a bad musician.” That was his first feedback from a professional music teacher. That only put more determination into Dmitry. After that he has been actively performing/touring/recording in different bands in all possible genres of music. He was even playing solo gigs , busking on a streets and together with his wife created duo project “Karmafree” ( where music is created only with bass and vocals).

Dmitry has won over several of his peers at BPU with his Unique style, and many bass player competitions in multiple countries. Dmitry and has also appeared at “Bass Day” events in Russia and Latvia.

Currently Dmitry is specializing on Percussive Fingerstyle bass technique. A very fresh and unique style for bass guitar. Using the body of an acoustic bass as percussion, playing bass line, and solo part all together at the same time gives Dmitry enough place to experiment, and fully express himself and keep my music interesting.

Marine Courtin is a french bass player, who discovered bass guitar thanks to all the band Muse, and their famous riff. It wasn’t long after that and Marine fell in love with the instrument. Marine recalls listening to Jamiroquai, and it was Stuart Zender bass playing that was a revelation. Marine fell in love with funky bass lines, and starting exploring even further into the likes of James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Nils Landgren or Maceo Parker. Marine has played in several band from Pop to Hard Rock, but now plays in an only feminine Funk band called Atomic Ladies. Marine also works with Rock choir, and cover band projects.

Jen Benton first picked up the electric bass guitar at the age of 15 years. Young and proficient on the trumpet, she took an immediate affinity for the bass and began to pursue it as her primary instrument which has lead to her professional career. Benton has performed all over North America, Europe and Barbados. Performing in arenas to intimate clubs including Radio City Music Hall, The Greek Theatre, Toronto’s Molson Amphitheatre, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, numerous House of Blues, The Old Nick, MGM Grand Arena, Orpheum Theatre, Club Med Cancun, Paradiso, etc…

Jen Benton has appeared/performed on National television programs such as the Craig Ferguson Show, MTV Live Canada, MTV’s Total Request Live, Breakfast Television, CBC, IFC, and ET Canada. She has also performed and appeared on countless live radio shows, awards ceremonies, record company showcases (Canada), Virgin Festival, Sirius Radio, and live internet broadcasts.

Artists that Benton has been billed alongside with include The Cult, New York Dolls, Cyndi Lauper, Tegan and Sara, Debbie Harry, Tommy James and the Shondells, Lenny Kravitz, The B52’s, and the Dresden Dolls. She has also performed live with Alex Lifeson, Andy Kim, Ron Sexsmith, Colin James, Dru, Kim Mitchell, Sam Roberts, Serena Ryder, august, Lily Frost, Lights, Sarah Slean, The Cliks, Luke Doucet, Divine Brown, Mark Holmes, and Lorraine Segato to name a few. She recorded a full length album “Dirty King ~ The Cliks” with Producer Sylvia Massy in the fall of 2008 in Weed, California.

Benton graduated with Dean’s Honour Roll recognition from Hamilton’s Mohawk College in the Applied Music Program. She then completed Humber College’s Music Bridging Program. She studied both jazz and classical theory and performance as well as privately on upright bass with teach Pat Collins.

She was accepted into Victor Wooten’s Bass/Nature Camp in Tennessee during the spring of 2003 where she was honored with a complete scholarship.

Jen has been apart of groups who have won “The Artist on the Brink Award” (2008), Toronto Independent Music Award for “Best Country” (2006), as well as the 14th Best Bass Line Composition from online music site “Garageband”.

Benton was officially endorsed by Spector Bass on July 7, 2011. She also endorses Markbass Amplifiers, EMG pick-ups, Mono Cases, Gruv Gear Fret Wraps, and Mesa Boogie Amplifiers.

Joe Fazio is a New Jersey bass player, performer, writer and clinician. Honing his skills in the Tri-state area music scene, he immediately made a name for himself in the local bass community. Playing a multitude of styles and with as many musicians as he could helped to diversify him from other players.

Joe wanted to expand his musical knowledge so he enlisted the help of renowned New Jersey teacher, Joe Macaro. Since studying with Macaro, Joe’s been pretty active in the New York scene playing with the likes of New Hope Community Church, Hope Kills Fear, Redeemer’s Cross and EO. In addition to his heavy stage and studio performances, Joe recently started a YouTube channel, Just Bass It, specifically targeted at demoing products he utilizes on a daily basis.