Bass
Chris Rathbun has enjoyed decades of bass playing from orchestra and chamber music to blues, free improvisation, be-bop, kluegrass, Dixie-Land, swing, Broadway shows, cabaret, klezmer, Latin and World music. As a teacher of very young to advanced bass students he draws upon these experiences and Suzuki training to nurture the joy of all music and the amazing ubiquitous bass.
His topics as a presenter at the Suzuki Association of the Americas annual Conferences have included; Facing “Improviphobia” With Language Skills, Jazz for Classical Musicians, and Do You Like Chords?
Rathbun has performed with internationally recognized jazz artists, "Papa" Jo Jones, "Tiny" Grimes (guitarist with Art Tatum), Tom Lindsay (trumpet player on Coleman Hawkins’ recording of “Body and Soul”), Joe Marani (clarinet player with Louis Armstrong), Herb Pomeroy, "Sir Charles" Thompson (pianist with Charlie Parker), Benny Waters, and Sabby Lewis.
He performs regularly with Zamir Chorale and Another Realm (NEC faculty members Hankus Netsky, Linda Chase) and was musical director and solo bassist for the Boston Black Repertory Company production of Joseph A. Walker’s The River Niger.
Rathbun is currently a faculty member of the South Shore Conservatory of
Music teaching students whose ages range from five to sixty four and
coaching a variety of chamber ensembles. Former co-chair of the SSC
Suzuki Department.
Berklee College of Music (undergraduate studies), B.M. New England
Conservatory of Music, M.S. (Education), Simmons College, M.S. (Library
and Information Science), Simmons College, Registered Suzuki Bass
Teacher. Double bass with William Curtis, Gaston Dufresne, Frank
Gallagher, Lawrence Wolfe, Dave Holland, Virginia Dixon (Suzuki Teacher
Training) Improvisation with Ran Blake, Jaki Byard.
CD's
Geo-Political Statement (Chris Rathbun, Stephen Peisch-violin)
It Came From Out of the Woods (Chris Rathbun film ensemble)
If I Could Dance Like Fred Astaire (Jim Porcella, Ron Zack)
Never Never Land (Jon Jarvis)
The Good Stuff (Bob Roskopf, Jon Wheatley)
Peace (Steve Dale,)
Something Irresistible: Songs of Fran Landesman (Shepley Metcalf)
Jazzamir (Zamir Chorale)
2011-09-29
DIZZY GILLESPIE