What do you think is special about Berklee that sets it apart from other music schools?
Berklee is a fantastic place. There is no other school like it. I think the unique thing about it is the diversity of styles and the quality of players in the bass department. I mean if you want to study Latin music, you have Oscar Stagnaro who is one of the best Latin players in the world. You can study jazz with Whit Browne or Bruce Gertz, jazz fusion with Matt Garrison, and 6-string bass with Joe Santerre. I mean there is a lot of talent there, and the department chair, Rich Appleman, does a great job of assembling instructors who specialize in different styles. I can’t believe who I am surrounded by sometimes. It’s an honor to be one of the teachers there. After seeing thousands of bassists pass through the doors of Berklee over the years, do you have any tips as to how an aspiring bassist could go about landing a gig with a high-profile artist? You have to get it all together. You have to be ready for all aspects of gigging. That means being proficient in all styles of music. You
