May 30th was U-BASS day at Musician’s Institute in Hollywood CA and two of the world’s most notable bassists appeared on behalf of Kala Brand Muisic to demonstrate and provide personal accounts of their experiences with the distinctive short scale instrument. At the invitation of Stuart Hamm, Program Chair-Bass Department, Kala arranged for renowned bassists Abraham Laboriel and Bakithi Kumalo to appear in the school performing arts theater where afterwards, students and faculty were invited to demo an assortment of Kala U-Basses.
Each artist spoke to the assembly and performed solo demonstrations on the bass, then joined together in an impromptu jam session with the finale including a three way jam with the added participation of Stuart Hamm. The entire event was filmed and can be viewed at Kala Brand’s video page at
www.youtube.com/user/kalabrandmusic
Abraham Laboriel has played on over 4,000 recordings and was described by Guitar Player Magazine as "the most widely used session bassist of our time. Bakithi Kumalo has been Paul Simon’s bassist since the highly acclaimed Graceland album being which is being celebrated this year with a 25th anniversary international tour.
Introduced in 2009, the U-BASS is Kala’s 21” scale bass instrument that is available in acoustic electric and solid body models. The basses incorporate proprietary polyurethane strings which are noted for their deep bottom end. The basses are available in 4 and 5 string as well as fretted and fretless models. Optional wound strings by Pyramid and plastic compound strings by Aquila are also available from Kala.
More info:
Bakithi Kumalo:
Abraham Laboriel Sr.:
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 Bakithi Kumalo, Kala's Rick Carlson, and Stu Hamm are also part of Musician's Institute's UBASS Day
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