bass course tutors

You will learn advanced rhythm section skills and learn how to fuse your lines with professional drummers and guitar players to studio standards. At BIMM we are commited to our bass department: two of our directors are bass players!

		Franc O’Shea - Head of Bass Franc O’Shea is regarded as one of the best bass players of his generation. He has recorded and played with many renowned artists including legendary Yes guitarist Steve Howe, Level 42’s keyboard player Mike Lindup, 90’s soul sensation Lisa Moorish, top garage band Bah Samba, Jorge Pardo from Chick Corea and Paco de Lucia’s bands and members of Jamiroquai. He was a featured artist at European Bass Day 2003 in Holland and has appeared on compilation albums with top bassists such as Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, Doug Wimbish and Michael Manring. "When everyone else realises how good O’Shea is remember where you heard it first" Steve Lawson, Bassist Magazine.

		Dan Mckinna - Bass Tutor Dan held down bass duties for the fantastic Straw (Warner Music, Columbia) as well as The Jeevas (Cowboy Music, Sony Japan) with Kula Shaker’s Crispian Mills. With BIMM’s own Andy Nixon on drums, they’ve become one of the best powerhouse rhythm sections around, and have toured the world in the last 2 years and now form two thirds of The Magic Bullet Band. In the last year he has also been playing with James Morrison, Stuart A. Staples (Tindersticks) and A Man Called Adam. Dan is also involved with the band Ben’s Brother and has been busy recently doing various festivals, including V and Montreux Jazz amongst others. He is a graduate of Goldsmiths’ College and an expert double bass player.

		Eddie Myer - Bass Tutor Eddie is a well rounded bass player who also plays upright bass. He’s been a member of Turin Brakes band since their inception in 1999, recording on their gold-selling albums and touring and performing on TV and radio in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, America and Australia. Along the way he has clocked up 4 appearances on Top of the Pops among other unimaginably prestigious engagements. He’s also performed and recorded with many other acts such as Bah Samba, Lucky Jim and Ben’s Brother and has worked for Virgin, EMI, Island, Sony, Mr Bongo and Skint, as well as other independent labels, with esteemed producers Tony Hoffer, Ali Staton, Mike Pelanconi and Ethan Johns. He’s co-written an internationally-released single and album track for Sia, as well as other writing and production projects, and back in the mists of time he also played for Ozric Tentacles!

		Dan Partington - Bass Tutor Dan is in very high demand as a bassist and finds himself in a wide variety of musical situations. His time spent outside of BIMM is spent touring with bands, learning lots of new sets for function bands and recording. This enables him to help you develop the diverse musical repertoire and broad range of musical situations required to be successful within the music industry.

		Russell Carr - Bass Tutor Russell is one of the hardest working players in Southern England and has worked with a variety of artists and producers covering everything from rock (Mark Richardson, Feeder), pop (Carolyn Owlett, 411) and world music (Nitin Sawhney). He has played at many of the UK’s finest venues (and some of the worst!) from Wembley Arena to Skegness and made various appearances on British and French TV. As well as a busy playing schedule Russell writes and produces work with Garth Vader and other original artists. He also directs a number of corporate bands and covers acts.

		Phil France - Bass/Upright Bass Tutor Phil France has been working in the Cinematic Orchestra since 1998. As well as playing bass he written co- produced and arranged music from the albums ’EveryDay’ ’Man with the Movie Camera’ and "Ma Fleur". Phil has travelled all over the world touring and performing but a recent highlight was a performance by the Cinematics at the Royal Albert Hall (Live CD available soon!) in November 2007. He’s currently working on more music for the Cinematics as well as teaching the double bass module at BIMM.

		Silas Maitland - Bass Tutor Silas Maitland is a London based session musician who graduated from the Musicians Institute in 1989. He has played and worked with Geno Washington, Robert Fripp, Seal, Steve Jansen, Micky Moody, Melanie Blatt (All Saints), The Blues Brothers , Noman, Bob Carlton, Independent Television, Whoopee Club, Mark Lamarr, The Flashmonkey, D’Nell, Marcus Malone, BBC Television and Radio, Channel 4, Discovery Channel, Mentorn Films, April Hill and Marlon Saunders. Silas is a professional musician with 20 years experience in studio and live playing situations. He is also in demand as a producer, writer and arranger and has over 15 years teaching experience.

		Dan Sheppard - Bass Tutor Dan has been playing professionally on the music scene for 15 years, specialising in jazz double bass and electric bass, with plenty of experience within soul, funk, Brazilian, Cuban and flamenco disciplines. Notable gigs include a residency with the great Jimmy Scott and his band The Jazz Expressions at Ronnie Scott’s, various gigs with guitar hero John Etheridge, tenor titan Bobby Wellins, former Oscar Peterson drummer Bobby Durham, and former McCoy Tyner drummer George Johnson. Regular bands include Brighton Jazz Allstars, Ultraswing, and Rockin in Rhythm and Candela and Hai la Drum. Dan also has toured extensively as well as performing on cruises.