Damian Erskine » See All Posts

Live album released!

damian — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:23:16 +0000

Damian has released a recording of his band performing at Portland State University earlier in 2011

You can listen to samples and purchase this recording here:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/damianerskineproject

Damian is joined by his long time bandmates:

Reinhardt Melz (drms)

Ben Darwish (pno)

John Nastos (sax)

Gino Vannelli in the Bahamas on a ship!

damian — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:53:04 +0000

Damian is playing 3 special concerts on the world’s largest cruise ship (Oasis of the Seas) with Gino Vannelli this December. Check out this video that’s been put together with the details and some live clips of the band.

Cover of Bass Musician Magazine

damian — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 07:21:35 +0000

Check out the latest issue of Bass Musician Magazine (June/July 2011)! http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2011/06/bass-musician-magazine-featuring-damian-erskine-june-2011-issue/

Peter Erskine New Trio CD, “Joy Luck” AVAILABLE NOW!

damian — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:13:22 +0000

The new album, “Joy Luck” from the Peter Erskine New Trio featuring Vardan Ovsepian (pno) and Damian Erskine (bs) is NOW available to purchase!

AUDIO SAMPLE: [See post to listen to audio]

New Book, “RIGHT HAND DRIVE” is now available!!

damian — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:33:48 +0000

My newest book , “Right Hand Drive” is finally complete and available via CDBaby!

It is a book focusing on technique expansion and harmonic awareness including tons of examples, transcriptions, licks and grooves.

You’ll also get an MP3 CD with over 100 audio examples of everything in the book at multiple tempos.

This book is intended for anyone wishing to push themselves rhythmically, develop there right hand technique and expand their abilities when it comes to walking and soloing. Complete with chord shapes, charts explaining what scales work over what chord types, tons of rhythmic exercises, tons of grooves from my newest CD, “So To Speak” and licks… This book is, in essence, my complete methodology for playing my bass.

Enjoy!!

Where to buy the book

Right Hand Drive
© 2011 notneK Music

‘So To Speak’ Play-along book for bassists available now!!

damian — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:32:31 +0000

If you are a bassist and looking for an interesting play-along book, this is it! (or if you just want a book of charts from my newest CD!!). You’ll receive the book and a version of the CD mixed without bass.

Right now, the book is currently available digitally over at my good friends

learnthelowend.com

Enjoy!!

Jazz Chicago reviews ‘So To Speak’

damian — Fri, 14 May 2010 06:59:38 +0000

Link to the article HERE

Damian Erskine – “So To Speak”

Bassist Damian Erskine’s name may sound familiar – he is drummer Peter Erskine’s nephew – but he is also forging an identity as a top-notch electric bassist. On his newest recording – So To Speak, the Portland, OR-based artist has assembled some of the best Latin jazz musicians from the area to produce a hearty disk of funky Latin-flavored jazz fusion. Erskine’s sound is somewhat Jaco-esque, but with his own zest, and he plays several prodigious solos as well as propelling the songs with his acute sense of rhythm. However, despite his incredible technique, he never overplays and instead stays within service to the songs. Erskine is joined by drummer/percussionist Reinhardt Melz and percussionist Rafael Trujillo to create a monster rhythm bed that pianist Ramsey Embick and guitarist Chris Mosely are free to float over. Guests appear on tenor and soprano sax, trumpet and additional percussion on some of the songs. Everything is tasteful and melodic and compelling, with the delicious “Kaluanui” – driven by Erskine’s funky bass chords nearly reaching contemporary jazz “hit” status. Erskine has played with people like Gino Vanelli, Les McCann, Jeff Lorber and, of course, his uncle – who he says instilled a love of rhythm in him. Most of the songs such as “Inside Out,” “FIF,” “American Gyro” “Aslant,” “Caberina” and the album-ending “Creep” are mid-to-up-tempo with a funk fusion and Latin factor, but the tune “Light” lives up to it’s title and showcases Embick and Erskine nicely on a balladic tempo. I suspect with the talent he shows here, we will be hearing much more from this player/composer.

Featured Video: Peter Erskine New Trio

damian — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:30:59 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

Damian featured in May 10′ issue of Bass Player Magazine!!

damian — Wed, 05 May 2010 17:29:25 +0000

See full article at: http://www.bassplayer.com/article/damian-erskine-right-hand/April-2010/112041

Bass Guitar Magazine UK review of ‘So To Speak’

damian — Wed, 05 May 2010 17:23:33 +0000

West coast bassist Erskine has been a name to watch for some time now, bubbling under with a debut album Trios that saw his vibrant six string bass playing tackle many well known standards such as Wayne Shorter’s ‘Footprints’, Chick Corea’s ‘Spain’ alongside some flamenco flavoured originals. While his technique and taste were impeccable it’s his mighty groove capabilities and strengths as a composer and bandleader that really shine here on his follow up. In fact it’s these latter qualities that make So To Speak a real joy to listen to, marking it out as a real ‘band’ record and not just a vehicle for some OTT bass chops. Fundamental to this is Erskine’s deep pocket grooves that while complex and full of his trademark syncopated thumb and finger plucking (his subtle update on Wooten’s double thumbing) it’s each song’s shifting meters, hefty Latin funk and soulful modern jazz that really make this a set that’s brimming with energy and emotion. One of the album’s more mind melting grooves is featured on ‘FIF’ which lopes along in decidedly funky 15/8 over which guitarist Chris Mosely and Erskine weave a snaking melody line, before a typically darting bass solo full of cracking percussive runs and a few close harmony chords. The percussion party really starts after Rafael Trujillo’s clattering timbale break and the band set up a Santana-esque Latin vamp in 5/4. It’s Erskine’s talent for blending subtle chords and a counterpoint bass line that adds weight to opener ‘Inside Out’ or the laid back funk of ‘Kaluani’, while the dark expanse evoked on ‘American Gyro’ takes on a hypnotic, pulsating quality. By tapping into his greatest strengths as a modern groove master with top-notch technique, Erskine shapes this exciting session perfectly from the low end, showing that a powerful groove-led performance can outshine the flashiest of soloists.

Mike Flynn – Bass Guitar Magazine