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 (Steve Howe) - 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.

		Max Taylor (Groove Armada) - Bass Tutor Max’s career started at 17 when he was the bass player for the band Clor (Regal/Parlophone).Since then he has worked with many artists and bands including Roots Manuva, Esser, frYars, Mutya Buena (Sugababes), The Plump DJ’s, Tom Robinson, Filthy Dukes, Ali Love, The Bays, Willis and more. Most recently, he recorded and toured worldwide with dance outfit Groove Armada. Max has performed at major venues like the Hollywood Bowl and Glastonbury and toured extensively all over the world in Australia, Serbia, Japan, South America and North America. He’s also performed on TV and radio such as Jools Holland, Radio 1, XFM, T4 Popworld, BBC Radio 6, Transmission, TOTP and even Terri Wogans Eurovision Runners up! Max currently works with Lisa Michell, Tiger Style, The Dhol Foundation, Theoretical Girl and Mercury signed artist Tiffany Page (due for release in 2010).

		Eddie Myer (Turin Brakes) - 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 Mckinna (The Jeevas/Magic Bullet Band) - Bass Tutor Dan is an experienced bass player having toured the world, played nearly all the major festivals, recorded many albums and singles, made numerous TV and radio appearances and worked with all the major labels as well as several independents. He was with the fantastic Straw alongside BIMM’s own Andy Nixon, as well as The Jeevas with Kula Shaker’s Crispian Mills. On top of that he has worked as a session musician with James Morrison, Ben’s Brother, A Man Called Adam, Teitur and Sarah Blasko among many others. Dan is currently with Tindersticks, with whom he has recorded two film soundtracks, two albums and is currently working on a third. One of his compositions with the band has been featured on HBO’s ‘Eastbound and Down’. Dan is also a graduate of Goldsmiths College and an expert bass player.

		Russell Carr (Nitin Sawhney) - Bass Tutor Russell has played at some of the best (and worst) venues and studios in the UK and around the world with artists ranging from Skin and Nitin Sawhney to Steve Rodgers and The Hoff. He plays electric and upright bass and recently performed to one of the biggest ever British audiences at the Hyde Park Royal Wedding Celebrations. He has also founded a production collective whose work has appeared on various television networks in the UK, USA and Canada.

		Silas Maitland (Seal) - 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.