Low Down:
Ottawa-Gatineau 
Bass Players Zine

Every time I go out to hear live music in Ottawa, I'm impressed by the skill, creativity, and sensitivity of bassists in the music scene, whether it's electric bassists in a anchoring a rock band in a pub or double bassists laying down a walking line in a coffeeshop gig. While the spotlight of online interviews often tends to focus on the lead instruments and singers, Low Down: Ottawa Bass Players Zine celebrates the contributions of the bassists. 

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A bassist can make or break a band. A skilled, sensitive bassist provides a solid rhythmic foundation that propels the beat forward, while simultaneously outlining the harmony in a well-crafted bassline. In classical music, the entire string section's intonation rests on the solid pitch of the deep bass notes. 

About the author (Nathan Morris): I'm an Ottawa bass player. I've played electric bass with local jazz and blues  bands and artists and I've played double bass with folk singers and with several Ottawa and Gatineau orchestras. I've had the privilege to learn from some of the national capital's top bassists, including Ken Kanwisher (electric bass, double bass and many other instruments), John Geggie (double bass), and David Currie (former NAC principal bassist).

Currently, I'm playing in the Barrow Gang Buskers, a rockabilly band led by singer-guitarist George Stryker. Playing with George, who has opened for The Stray Cats, is a great opportunity to learn about rockabilly. I switched from steel strings to gut rockabilly strings and George is coaching me on how to add percussive rockabilly-bass slapping into my basslines. 

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