The Working Bassist

The Working Bassist, What You Really Need to Know to Survive in New York City, is designed to inform bassists (and all musicians) interested in coming to New York City to pursue their musical endeavors. In addition to being informative, the series of interviews has been geared towards inspiring those who are already working musicians. Interviews include bassists Meshell Ndegeocello, Neil Jason, Reggie Washington, Tim Lefebvre, Johannes Weidenmueller and many more! It has received five star reviews from bassists, Mark Egan, Lincoln Goines & Patrick Pfeiffer to name a few. "This kind of veteran information can be considered a kind of survival guide to becoming a working, professional bass player, and should be required reading at music schools." Mike Visceglia – bassist & musical director for Suzanne Vega "John Carey has managed to put together a beautiful palette of colorful characters in his collection of interviews with New York City bassists, shedding light on how focus, dedication and perseverance helped each one of them make it in the ultimate metropolis of the performing arts. Carey’s book should serve as a great inspiration for any new (or old) bass player trying to make it in The Big Apple." Patrick Pfeiffer – bassist & author of Bass Guitar for Dummies & Improve Your Groove “When New York bassist John Carey first approached me with his book, I thought, Finally! New York has always been extremely alluring but also intimidating, massive and overwhelming, so a guide to a bass player’s specific needs is a godsend. Carey succeeds in bringing focused attention on the real-life experiences of a wide array of New York City bassists. . . Anyone toying with the idea of a move ought to buy this immediately.” Bass Player Magazine "After breezing through this easy-to-read book, you will find ‘25 tips for success’, a section with ‘New York City Wisdom, Perspective and Inspiration’ and even a space for your own notes!” Bass Musician Magazine

The Working Bassist, What You Really Need to Know to Survive in New York City Written for bassists and musicians alike, The Working Bassist, What You Really Need to Know to Survive in New York City, is designed to inform musicians and bassists interested in coming to New York City to pursue their musical endeavors. In addition to being informative, the series of interviews has been geared towards inspiring those who are already working musicians and bassists. The book contains over 30 interviews with NYC’s busiest bassists, including top session players, sideman, soloists, bass instructors and NYC luthier, Roger Sadowsky. In addition, author John Carey provides several helpful tips on how to survive in New York City as a working bassist. Interviews include: Johannes Weidenmuller (Kenny Werner & educator at The New School Jazz & Contemporary Music, NYC), Jack Daley (Lenny Kravitz), Patrick Pfeiffer (Bass Guitar for Dummies), Neil Jason (Cindy Lauper), Tim Lefebvre (James Taylor), Conrad Korsch (Rod Stewart), Mark Plati (David Bowie), Steve Jenkins (Vernon Reid), Mike Visceglia (Suzanne Vega), Roger Sadowsky (NYC luthier), Irio O’Farrill (NYC Broadway ace), Meshell Ndegéocello (artist), Reggie Washington, Janek Gwizdala (Mike Stern), Ivan “Funkboy” Bodley (Sam Moore), Paul Frazier (David Byrne), Jeff Allen (Duncan Sheik), Kim Clarke (Defunkt), Percy Jones (Brand X) and many many more!!! REVIEWS: "This kind of veteran information can be considered a kind of survival guide to becoming a working, professional bass player, and should be required reading at music schools." Mike Visceglia – bassist & musical director for Suzanne Vega "John Carey has managed to put together a beautiful palette of colorful characters in his collection of interviews with New York City bassists, shedding light on how focus, dedication and perseverance helped each one of them make it in the ultimate metropolis of the performing arts. Carey’s book should serve as a great inspiration for any new (or old) bass player trying to make it in The Big Apple." Patrick Pfeiffer – bassist & author of Bass Guitar for Dummies & Improve Your Groove “Author and working bassist John Carey has done the legwork for you and interviewed over thirty of New York cities top bassists. After breezing through this easy-to-read book, you will find ‘25 tips for success’, a section with ‘New York City Wisdom, Perspective and Inspiration’ and even a space for your own notes!” Bass Musician Magazine “When New York bassist John Carey first approached me with his book, I thought, Finally! New York has always been extremely alluring but also intimidating, massive and overwhelming, so a guide to a bass player’s specific needs is a godsend. Carey succeeds in bringing focused attention on the real-life experiences of a wide array of New York City bassists. . . Anyone toying with the idea of a move ought to buy this immediately.” Bass Player Magazine "John's book is a great primer for bass players entering the scene. As the Zen Master's say, 'Fight your shame. Learn all you can from others. This is the secret to a successful life.'" John Miller – Broadway contractor, bassist & music coordinator "Carey has assembled a wealth of ideas for networking, sharing specific bass concepts, philosophy and equipment needs." Mark Egan – professional bassist (Sting, Mat Metheny Group, David Sanborn, Joan Osborne) "The Working Bassist, What You Really Need to Know to Survive in New York City, is an essential tool for any bassist who aspires to work in New York City or any other major metropolitan area. This is real world information that will prove to be invaluable to your career." Irio O’Farrill – professional bassist, music educator and author "Relevant questions, interesting and useful answers . . . a detailed but practical reference for musicians everywhere." Lincoln Goines – professional bassist (Randy Brecker, Tito Puente, Michael Brecker, Mike Stern, Dizzy Gillespie

John Carey is a professional bassist, producer, singer-songwriter and music educator living in New York City. He is a graduate of Stony Brook University, with a degree in English Literature and Philosophy. As bassist and record producer, John has worked as a sideman for some of New York City's most talented bands & artists. As educator and author of The Working Bassist, What You Really Need to Know to Survive in New York City, John tries to teach his students in a pragmatic fashion, setting each student up for success in the real world. In addition, he takes a personalized approach with each student, understanding that everyone learns information in a unique fashion. John tries to make students aware of both their weaknesses and their strengths, and guides them towards becoming the ‘total musician’ that is necessary to work within today’s music climate. For “student testimonials,” please visit johncarey.net. On television, John has appeared as bassist on The CW hit show, Gossip Girl (episodes: Women on the Verge & Jenny's Fashion Show), as well as on the Fox 5 hit show, Fringe (episode: Midnight). John has worked with such musicians as Oz Noy, Steve Holley, Dave Eggar, Ronny Drayton, Rachelle Garniez, Frank Bellucci, Bill White, Will Lee, Anton Fig, Mike Visceglia, Andy Narell, John Abbey & Leland Sklar, to name but a few. As a solo artist, John’s music has received accolades from JazzTimes Magazine, Bass Player Magazine, All About Jazz, Bass Guitar Magazine and many more. He has released five of his own CDs. CD, John Carey, undefined psycho-chromatic G.R.I.D. (2005, Planet Bass, NYC) explores the avant-garde: the completely live and improvisational album captures the stream of conscious thought processes between some of today's most talented, unique and interesting musicians. The CD spans multiple genres of music, and provides for a multimedia and multi-sensory experience... A truly fascinating record with an all-star lineup. CD, John Carey, CL (2007, Planet Bass, NYC), includes his original singer-songwriter/pop songs. In addition to playing bass, you’ll hear John singing and playing acoustic guitar throughout the CD. His music is reminiscent of Sheryl Crow and The Steve Miller Band. John Carey, Son of the House (2010, Planet Bass, NYC), examines the dualistic nature of Gnostic thought: light/dark, Cosmos/Earth, illuminated/unaware, divine/carnal, strange/familiar. Heavily influenced by the music of Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, Lou Reed and Larry Graham, Carey visits the sounds of punk, funk and the avant-garde, taking the listener from the streets of the East Village, New York City, to that of the Cosmos. John Carey, Revelry Now (2011, Planet Bass, NYC), revisits songs originally performed by The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Bill Withers, Carole King & more, all with a unique approach placing the Fender Jazz bass front and center. CD, John Carey, Oh So Funky (2012, Planet Bass, NYC), consists of the music from The Meters, an American funk band based in New Orleans, Louisiana that made their records in the late 60s and 70s. The CD features Andy Narell–steelpans (Chucho Valdes, Bela Fleck, Marcus Miller, Spyro Gyra, Aretha Franklin, The Kronos String Quartet), Anton Fig– drums (Late Show w/David Letterman, Joe Bonamassa, Booker T. & The MG’s, Bob Dylan, Cyndi Lauper), Oz Noy–guitar (Chris Botti, Gavin DeGraw, Harry Belafonte, Gov’t Mule, Allen Toussaint), Will Lee–featured vocalist (Late Show w/David Letterman, George Benson, Hiram Bullock, Brecker Brothers) and John Carey–bass, vocals, percussion & producer. The recording is filled with super groovy tunes that adhere to the tradition of The Meters, yet utilize the lively and tropical sounds of the steelpans in place of the traditional organ. John Carey is endorsed by Sadowsky Guitars, NYC, Lakland basses, Euphonic Audio bass amplifiers and speaker cabinets and Rotosound bass strings. For more information about John, please visit JohnCarey.net & planetbassnyc.com.