Archive for February, 2009
Damian Erskine is not your ordinary bass player. While not touring, Damian hones his chops with some of the best jazz and latin musicians the West coast has to offer. Damian is known for his ability to fit into any musical situation and his extraordinary reading and improvising skills. Damian has played in the studio or on the stage with the likes of:
Peter Erskine • The Jaco Pastorius Big Band • Teri-Lynn Carrington • Gino Vannelli • John Ellis • Shawn Pelton • Sveti w/ Marko Djordjevic • Luis Conte • Brandon Ross • Les McCann • Jeff Lorber • Vardan Ovsepian • Charmaine Neville • Jessy J • Luis Perdomo • Tony Furtado • Kate Schutt • Bobby Torres • Alan Jones • Patrick Lamb • Dan Balmer • Klezmocracy and many others as well as being featured on the GospelChops.com “Shed Sessionz Vol. 1″ DVD. Whether playing as a sideman or with his own group, he is known for his rock solid bass work, virtuosic solos and thoughtful chordal abilities.
Damian is also an adjunct professor at both Portland State University and Marylhurst University.
Damian Erskine & Ray Riendeau at the Mile High Bass Camp playing together after a day of teaching.
“Damian Erskine Trios (damianerskine.com)
While his good genes may help (he’s drum god Peter Erskine’s nephew), Damian Erskine’s significant facility, big pocket, and harmonic awareness are what comes when talent and hard work collide. Trios is Erskine’s first disc as leader, and it’s an auspiciously musical undertaking. While many bass-led debuts languish in technical self-abuse, Erskine’s modern jazz is fresh, listenable, and yes, studded with bass tricks aplenty. (JH)”
Read Full Article
“Erskine Perspective” Review: Bass Musician Magazine – Apr. 2008
Damian’s book proves to be another well thought out text on presenting the fundamentals for any player to consider.
A commendable array of scales, modes, chords, and their inversions are covered in depth, and presented in a well thought out manner. A nice touch to an instructional aid such as this is presenting personal insight as far as applications of the material presented are concerned, to help take the reader a step closer to beginning to grasp an understanding of “how it all works”, (admittedly a “very” open subject) and this text exemplifies that well in it’s presentation. Add to that his discussion of chord connections and their applications, and chord shapes to enhance a visual perspective, and you’ve got the makings of a text well worth considering.
Included are a few transcriptions of Damian’s solos off his CD “Trios”, which after close examination shows how this approach he has presented certainly works well for him personally, as well as musically. This always helps give credence to considering any individuals personal presentation of what to spend your time on in the quest to becoming a more well rounded musician, and beginning to cut a path to discovering ones “voice” on the instrument. Other transcriptions are also included to examine and dissect, which is a well founded tactic recommended by almost every schooled player, and helps complete this books legitimacy as far as being a credible option to check out.
See Full Review
This is one of bassist, Damian Erskine’s Portland, OR based trios with additional tracks by the Toshi Onizuka Trio with Damian playing bass.
The primary trio consists of Salsa and Jazz phenom, Ramsey Embick on Piano and virtuoso Portland drummer, Reinhardt Melz. The band speaks for itself…both fiery and spontaneous, it’s always all about having fun with the music and seeing where it can take you.
Equally versed at solidifying grooves, blowing lyrical solos, and providing chordal textures on his 6-string bass, Damian Erskine showcased his extraordinary level of musicianship with the release of Trios, his debut as a leader, in February, 2007. As the nephew of world-renowned drummer Peter Erskine (Weather Report), Damian spent much of his childhood surrounded by many legendary musicians. In addition to the degree he earned from Berklee College of Music, Erskine has studied privately with bassists including Marc Johnson, Victor Wooten (BNC 2001), Reggie Hamilton, and Kai Eckhardt. Erskine maintains an active presence in the club scene and performs regularly at festivals throughout the country. Besides touring and recording as a sideman, Erskine offers private instruction from his studio in Portland, Oregon and via webcam through MusicVirtuosity.com. He has also taught seminars at the National Guitar Workshop, SF Bass Weekend and Berklee’s Guitar Week. (~Cliff Engel • www.instituteofbass.com)
Track Audio Samples
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Places to buy the album
“Trios” Review: Abstract Logix
2007 Release. Six String Bassist Damian Erskine’s (yep ! he is the nephew of drummer Peter Erskine) fiery trio recording featuring Salsa and Jazz phenom, Ramsey Embick on Piano and virtuoso Portland drummer, Reinhartd Melz.
Read the rest of this entry »
“Trios” Review: Bass Guitar Magazine – June 2007
“From the cover, this may look like a standard jazz trio date, but Erskine certainly doesn’t play it that way. Rather than stick to standard bass patterns, he uses his Zon 6-string to maintain a free-flowing line that often hews closer to soloing than accompaniment. Great playing, and gorgeous tone throughout.”
The Lo-Pass Filter By Bill Murphy & J.D. Considine
“Trios” Review: Bass Guitar Magazine – June 2007
Read Full Article
Stay tuned for more info, updates, and a refreshed website!
I just got back from NYC where I tracked a new album for Prema Lucas (wonderfully talented songwriter and singer living in the UK). The album features Peter Erskine (First time in history playing with Peter! Very special experience), Luis Perdomo (man… check this dude out! Beautiufl player), Wah-Wah Watson (Funk Brothers… need I say more?). Such a treat and definitely something to look for!.
Read the rest of this entry »
Visit NoTreble.com for my column and other Bass related goodness. 
