Tucson Bass Jam

Tucson Bass Jam
University of Arizona
Fred Fox School of Music
1017 N. Olive Road

Faculty Director: Dr. Philip Alejo, University of Arizona ([email protected])
Lead Teachers: Dr. Kelsey Nussbaum and Lisa Brown
Guest Artist: Andrés Martín, international soloist (https://www.andresmartin.net)
Special Guest: Claire Happel Ashe, harp (https://www.clairehappelashe.com)

The Tucson Bass Jam is an ASTA-sponsored clinic for beginning, intermediate, and advanced double bass students, music educators, and community bass players of any age from Southern Arizona. Attendees will participate in workshops, rehearse as a bass orchestra, and give an informal performance at the end of the day.

As part of the 2024 Bass Jam, we will be introducing elements designed for the classroom teacher in mind. Dr. Kelsey Nussbaum will facilitate breakout sessions for non-bass playing orchestra teachers to learn how to better support and differentiate for their bass students while also gaining hands-on bass practice. Please bring an instrument from your school to use during the Tucson Bass Jam. If you have questions about the teacher workshop element, please reach out to Kelsey Nussbaum at [email protected].

Registration and Fees

Due to the success of a one-time grant opportunity, the participant fee for the Tucson Bass Jam is waived this year, although registration is required. Students will need to bring their own instruments, bows, and endpin stopper. Parents, teachers, or other chaperones may accompany their students to Tucson Bass Jam free of charge. We ask that any student 13 or under be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or adult chaperone during the event.

Participants should visit and register on the AZ-ASTA website. Registration on the day of the event will be possible, but not recommended.

Experience Level Assignments

Using the descriptions below, consult with your teacher to determine your performance level. Participants will be divided into four levels.

Level 1:  Advanced Bassists able to perform in upper positions and read tenor clef.
Level 2:  Bassists comfortable with all positions to first-octave harmonic.
Level 3:  Bassists comfortable with the notes in first, second, and third positions.
Level 4:  Bassists with an understanding of first and half position notes.

Schedule

Time                                    Activity
12:00-12:30 PM                 Arrival and registration in FFSOM
12:30 PM                            Introduction, bass orchestra rehearsal
1:30 PM                              Technique class, Teacher class
2:15-2:30 PM                     Break

2:30 PM                              Masterclass with Guest Artist
3:30 PM                              Special class with Guest Artist; YB Breakout Rehearsal
4:30-4:45                            Bass orchestra run-through
4:45-5:00                            Break
5:00 PM                              Final Performance

Guest Artist Biography

Native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, bassist, arranger, and composer Andrés Martín has performed with orchestras, chamber ensembles, and as a soloist in Argentina, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Uruguay. Chile, Brazil, Mexico, England, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, and the United States. Since his arrival in Tijuana (Mexico), Andrés has been immersed in teaching as well as performing as a soloist and chamber musician.

He is a member of the Orquesta de Baja California since 2002. He also organizes and directs Contrabajos de Baja California A.C., a double bass academy which celebrates a yearly international double bass festival and chamber music course held in Tijuana. In addition to his work as a soloist and chamber musician, Andrés maintains a vibrant career as a composer, writing hours of new works every year, commissioned and performed by renowned soloists, chamber ensembles, and orchestras around the world.