VICTOR WOOTEN'S TOP 10
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 มิ.ย. 2024
- Victor Wooten is without doubt one of the most important bass players in the world today.
A five-time Grammy award winner and one of Rolling Stone‘s ‘top ten bassists of all time’, Victor Wooten certainly has the chops to put on a show.
But everyone knows Victor has monster chops - he can slap, tap, double-thumb, open-hammer-pluck, throw his bass in the air … but what makes him one of the true greats is his awesome musicality.
Today we’re going to take a closer look at the 10 most defining basslines from his incredible career!
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On top of everything, Victor is such a nice, warm and humble person.
Agreed, he's got lots of great advice too
I can attest to this. I met him at a special movie premiere, really easy to talk to and wasn’t arrogant at all. Got a picture with him too.
this should be written in capitals.
I've had the pleasure of meeting him twice and he is as nice, honest, and humble as you could possibly imagine. He told me he owes it all to God. Need I say anymore? A family man who's got it all in the right perspective.
Yes in spades ♠️
I'm 54 years old and from NC. I had heard of Victor and his brothers all the way back in 83-84. The word on the circuit that we all use to play on were that these brothers were the baddest of the bad. The first time I actually heard victor was in the 90s with the Flecktones at place called Green Acres Music Hall in Bostic NC. Literally in an old cow pasture and the most rural setting you could ever imagine. To say my bass playing mind was blown would be an understatement. While Vic playing is about the most amazing thing ever, I think what is more important is that he is such a kind soul. Sure he makes me want to be a better bass player but more so he makes me want to be a better person. That is the highest compliment I can give.
ABSOLUTELY
I concur 100%!
what a cool memory! thanks for sharing
Yes Green Acres! Time sure flies.
"What an absolute dude!" - Scott
Who else heard him first through his live "Isn't she lovely" loop arrangement?
☝️
First time was him playing "Isn't She Lovely"
Not the first but one I love listening to over again.
When I was thirteen and getting into music seriously my brother sat me down and watched two videos with me, one was Jaco’s “Modern Electric Bass” and the other was Victor’s “Groove Workshop” tape, and these two videos couldn’t have been more different. One was very heavily drenched in theory and the other expressed the importance of feeling music as a language first. I would say Jaco has shaped my playing more, but Victor is a huge inspiration still
My first time hearing Victor was serendipitous. I was visiting a friend in NYC circa, fall, 2006. In gratitude for hosting me at his amazing apartment overlooking the Park I invited him out to for a night at the BlueNote. I had no idea who might be playing on that random evening, but it turned out to be a trio led by by Chick Corea, with Victor on bass and Dave Weikl behind the kit. As a former bassist who as a teenager idolized Jaco and Louis Johnson and the jazz-rock fusion bands of the late 70s, early 80s, I had long given up music to pursue a legal career, and had not picked up a guitar in 20 years. I had never heard of Victor, yet that evening I was elevated to Cloud 9 by his music and remained there for many weeks. The following year I picked up a bass for and the first time in 20 years and I joined a band, and I’ve been playing music almost every day since! Thanks Victor!
What a testimony. Thumbs up
His cover of Amazing Grace was the first thing I saw from him. I saw Bass Day 98 and just thought wow. I also managed to see him in my home town in the UK and got a few moments to speak with him and Anthony Wellington. I saw Regi (Victor's brother) as well. Completely unexpected but so incredible.
Wooten's pocket is so insanely big I feel like he can do a bunch of things that would just sound awkward and cluttered in the hands of most other bassists. But one thing I *really* enjoy is hearing a bassist with an insanely large pocket playing relatively few notes. Its one of the most satisfying feelings of groove I have ever experienced.
I had never heard of Victor Wooten until a couple of days ago when I came across a youtube video by accident. The coronavirus quarantine has a unexpected bonus for me. I am blown away by everything I have seen.
How old you are kiddos?
I wrote "bass solo" in Napster and Victor came up. My life changed at that moment.
Victor is one of the most laid back, and coolest people I have ever heard talk. Not just an inspirational bass player, but an inspirational person in general.
Oh boy do I remember... I was 16-17 years old, a huge fan of primus and the jam band scene, and had just started playing bass. My house was the designated party and flop house, and me and my friends would spend a lot of time watching concert DVD's that we all traded like baseball cards.
One day I was sitting outside on my porch when some friends of mine got dropped off. We all started talking about music and he told me "You have to see this guy that so-and-so showed me. He's better than Claypool. He plays with this band called Bela Fleck and the Flecktones". Me being a young kid who loved Claypool and never heard anything better, thought there was no way he was better and I told him that I doubted it. He was so sure of himself that he called whoever it was and asked if he could borrow the DVD because "my friend thinks Claypool is the best and he needs to see this".
An hour later we have the DVD and pop it in. Live at the Quick. And oh my god... That feeling is something I'd never felt before and haven't felt since then. It was absolutely mesmerizing. The friend who told me about him was the kind to rub things into your face when he was right, but this time, we all just shut up and rewatched that DVD all night. It was magical. I legitimately couldn't believe it. I thought there was some trickery involved because it was just so alien to me.
The Flecktones immediately became my favorite band ever, and because of that, I was introduced to so many types of music like jazz and bluegrass that I may have never gotten into otherwise. It changed my life and inspired me to become a better bassist. I practiced for hours a day and got my hands on as much of Victor's stuff as I could, trying as hard as I could to learn all of his techniques.
I started to see him in concert as much as possible, arriving hours early to get front row. One amazing night I got to play his bass after he handed it to the crowd mid-song, but I was so shocked that I barely tried to play it haha. The same night I stayed late and got to meet Victor and talked for about an hour. He's the kindest, sweetest, and most uplifting person ever. Made me realize that all my heroes are just people like me. Got to meet him again years later and he remembered me and asked if I was still playing and gave me some pointers and signed my copy of The Lesson (which was a book that changed my life).
Victor is still my hero. Not just musically, but in so many ways. And I'm so grateful that I was introduced to him because it changed my life. Even though the friend who introduced me to him, stole my signed Soul Circus shirt haha
Beautful story... thanks for sharing.
That’s a nice and humbling story dude, if you had a channel I would sub
Thank you both! Barrington, I'm actually about to start releasing videos regularly. I build and repair guitars, and will be posting vlogs and tutorials on that subject. I already have a few videos finished and am uploading a demo of one of my guitars right as I type this.
Not sure if that's something you'd be into. But if so, I'd love to have you!
I am very much interested in things like that, I’ll definitely sub
How do I find your page?
17yrs old I heard Me and my Bass Guitar. Made me immediately think I'd been playing bass wrong.
Victor is a LEGEND! \m/
I was at Tower Records in 96 and I saw a CD cover that caught my attention. As a bass player I immediately recognized a silhouette of a bass guitar. I figured the CD must be Bass focused and lucky for me, the CD happened to be available on a listening station. I put on the headphones and I heard, “Yo Victa!....you can’t hold no groove if you ain’t got no pocket.” 5 seconds in, I knew I was hearing something very special. With all the money in my pocket and a bit of help from mom, I bought the CD = Life forever changed. Victor Wooten, since 1996 my favorite bass player.
0:14 I'm a 14 yo. guy who plays and studies viola and it's interested and fascinated with the bass guitar. My dad has a jazz bass, and in that instrument I heard it for first time. When I was starting on bass, my dad told me "You have to hear Victor Wooten", so I searched him on TH-cam. I wasn't so surprised because I didn't know how complex was what he played. But I learned more about the instrument, and then I heard it: The Lesson. That video/piece blew my mind. The music, the complexity, the harmony, and for all over, the way that man loves what he does. It's just... satisfying. He's an artist and a poet. He just does amazing music with four strings. I'm now reading "The Spirit of Music", as a gift from my dad, by Victor Wooten and I'm a really huge fan of him. Cheers!!
One of the most important guys in the world, his book 'The Lesson' is incredibly strong. I heard him in BFatFT band 20 years ago utterly blown away!
When i first listen V.W. First solo album i asked my bass: "can you really do those things???" Yes....and YOU?...now i play ukulele.
I first heard him because of his Isn't She Lovely cover and didn't investigate any further. Recently I started listening to Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and I thought "god DAMN who is this bassist? VICTOR WOOTEN?????" It was certainly a pleasant surprise lol
"The Music Lesson"... one of the best books about music. A must have for every musician. IMHO.
the first time i heard “Me and my Bass guitar” almost made me quit bass haha
I had a similar experience with Sinister Minister. I knew I was supposed to like it, but I couldn't get my head around it at the time (teenage years). Years later I came across a transcription, and it just finally clicked!! Now if only I could figure out that solo!!!
@@ben23232The best thing he did was a transcription book, to see inside the magic. It's hard to play slow, but that's the key to it.
danimourinho 😃😃😃
I don't even refer to his arrangements as bass lines, we call them his expressions.
1994ish...Nashville or somewhere close in TN. I watched Victor Wooten's family play a show. They switched instruments after every 3 songs in a clockwise fashion. All of them equally good if not better on the instrument they were playing before. Victor is an amazing bass player. He grew up around a fantastic musical family. We met them after the show and everyone one of them was warm, engaging, polite and humble. It made me seriously study my instrument and gave me the blueprint on how to be a professional.
Just discovered Victor this year 2022. I guess I'll crawl back under my rock...He is a very talented person!
The Best Bassist Ever!!!!
He has laid down the most incredible grooves, techniques and beautiful lines on the bass and he deserves a golden statue for his playing ability and his willingness to teach others and having outstanding character!!!
I love that man..... ya think???
first time i heard Victor was with Bela Fleck and I loved everything about that band
1996 I was in Best Buy looking for new cd's to purchase, I found "Show of Hands"....Keep in mind, I never heard of Victor Wooten, It was the picture of this Dude holding a Bass, that caught my eye....so I bought the cd !!!!! Boy, was I surprised, and blown away by this guy's Bass Playing!! I've been a fan ever since '96 !!!!!!
I got the show of hands album at age 15 and had no idea how he was doing any of that! It was from another planet and I had no idea how he could possibly be doing that on a bass. I worked up my best version of me and my bass guitar using some two hand tapping and got kinda close. my dad took me to see him at little brothers in Columbus Ohio and I was completely floored. Shortly after bass day 98 and a couple other videos became available and I got it. Fast forward 15 years later I got to hang out with him after a clinic he did in town and sat in with a friends band. Long story short vics the reason I’m here.
first time was some 15 years ago.i listened to him playing zenergy with carter beauford and i remember thinking..,man,i ll never play like this..well,some days ago i played the damn song!of course i m not nearly as good as victor,but playing that song gave me a big boost!and he also has dystonia like you scott!
Yawn
Victor Wooten não só um Baixista Genial, mas uma pessoa iluminada! grande mestre
I guess im asking the wrong place but does someone know a method to log back into an Instagram account??
I somehow lost the password. I would love any help you can give me.
@Lee Colson Instablaster :)
First time I heard Victor was LIVE! I’d never heard of him. Went to a Dave Matthews Band show with some friends and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones opened up for them. My jaw was on the FLOOR!!
The first time I heard Victor Wooten was when I first heard Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. I was blown away by the bass playing and looked into the band only to discover Victor's awesomeness.
I first heard him on the Today Show playing Sinister Minister in the 80s. He was introduced as the "Secret Weapon".
"Amazing Grace" was a mind blowing too!!!!
That was exactly the first time I spotted Victor ... Here in the Netherland we had 'Mieke Telkamp' and 'her' song was extremely popular on funerals for many years. It was called 'waar heen, waarvoor'. So sad... But then: I found the version of Amazing Grace by Victor Wooten.... He blew my mind instantly.. Relax and spot the differences.....th-cam.com/video/ojrrO7HuKME/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/tsyMH3ACvxE/w-d-xo.html
i was about 13 years old when i first learned of Vic, and it was from a bass magazine i saw in a local music/guitar shop and was immediately intrigued and began looking for some of his music and ,like most people, was absolutely blown away once i finally managed to hear it.
I first saw Vic in 1998; I didn't know anything about him and I'd never heard any of his music, but he was on the cover of Bass Player, so I bought a ticket on whim to see him play a local club. 4 years later I went to my first Bass / Nature Camp. 17 years (and 3 camps) later, I got to return as a teacher and work with Vic at two camps this last summer. He's a true inspiration.
First time I saw a video of him , I thought the video was edited to hell. I couldn't believe he was real.
Top tier of inspirations.
2001. Béla Fleck and the Flecktones “Live at the Quick” aired on DirecTV. I was a junior in high school and played bass trombone in my high school jazz band. From that moment on, I wanted to learn how to play bass and guitar and banjo and drumitar and literally any instrument I could get my hands on to see if I could create music like what I had just heard. His “Amazing Grace” solo on that album still stands as my all-time favorite. I’ve seen him live a few times and have always left each concert scratching my head wondering how much work he put in to be as amazing as he is.
First time I herad Victor Wooten was on your channel learning how to slap bass. His performance in 1992, "Pretty Little Lady Groove" . I pulled up the groove just now to complete this sentence, and all the hair on my neck is standing up.
I cant honestly say the first time I remember hearing victor. All I know after hanging out with him for a week or so at jam camp clean up and jam camp he is the nicest most genuine human you will ever meet he will make you want to be a better person. Thank god good people like vic are on this earth.
He was playing "Amazing Grace" He and John Cooper from Skillet are why I am saving money to get a bass to learn to play. Keep up the good work.
I saw him playing with Bela Fleck in Glasgow a few years ago. He was incredible. You could tell who the bass players were in the audience because we were all gathered Infront of him stunned
First time I heard Vic was with the Flecktones back in the 90's. I got my first chance to see them live when they performed at my university. I had a class in the theater building and heard them doing sound check. I simply walked in and introduced myself. Bela, Vic, Howard, and Roy were all so nice. I even had the chance to play Roy "Futureman" Wooten's (Vic's brother) SynthAxe Drumatar. Very cool instrument! This was LONG before I played bass so I wasn't nearly as big a Victor fan boy as I am now. Oddly enough, Vic and I live in the same small town and I used to see him when our children had school events together. Very very nice guy. I've also been to his Wooten Woods campground. Beautiful place...go if you get the chance!
My dad took me to see bella fleck and the flecktones at the crest theater in Sacramento, Ca circa 1995, had no idea who they were.wasnt a fan of bluegrass or jazz at that time but was stunned by the all involved but primarily by the bass player, a young(er) Victor Wooten
I discovered Victor about ten years ago... I play bass since 80s... I thought I was watching an ET. His technique is simply unbelievable
My first experience with Victor Wooten was his Bass Extremes DVD with Steve Bailey. Granted, I probably saw it about 10 years after it’s initial release..
The first time I´ve heard about VW was when I was 16 yo (Now I'm 33). A great friend of mine shown me a show and I became a fan in that moment. In 2016 I was lucky because VW came to Málaga (A small city in the South of Spain, known as Costa del Sol) and I could enjoy a great show. The best part was that he and his band went to the seats and had their pictures taken with everyone in attendance. A great artist.
"The Lesson" was the first time i saw Victor Wooten it blew my mind that it was on bass. It like he was playing 3 instruments at once
The first time was when a friend of mine showed me a 5 minutes bass solo of his. I remember at the time I couldn't comprehend some things and thought it was a fake because I wasn't seeing the movement that I'd presume to be necessary in order for all those notes to pop out.
I legit picked u the bass because I was damn curious to know what the hell he was doing.
Victor has underrated taste in drummers.
Heard Mr Wooten on my friends phone 7 years ago for the first time and that got me into playin bass.... I remember it was the you cant hold no groove song and just a bit less than a year ago I played it live as a solo part... A dream came true ☺️
It was in the mid 90's I was playing with a metal band. I went to the local music store before a gig and found his instructional dvd. It was between him and Randy Coven. So I picked Victor Wooten's DVD. Let me tell you I am glad I did!!! It opened up a new world for me.
When i was in middle school, I watched bass day 98 at least twice a day, 3 normally. Id wake up early, get dressed, brush my teeth, brush my hair then get as much bass day 98 as i could before my mom took me to school, get out of school at 2:30, watch the whole DVD, play bass, eat dinner then put it on again to go to sleep too. I would put my little 25 watt by my head while i was laying down, super low volume, so my sister didn't tell my parents, and play till i fell asleep with my mexican squire P bass on my chest. lol. I havent thought about that in forever. I should play more bass lol.
Those who think Victor is absolutely the best bass player ever
👇
Man, Ive been all into victor for over 25 years ever since the Flecktones early stuff and the Bass Extremes book which I bought back in the day. Hes awesome, i dont think theres anybody as technically rich and challenging. That being said, I like better, by far and being simpler, Marcus Miller. Cheers.
🤦🏾♂️ another "like if" comment. Sad
@@Ahriman_II just so you know, this isn't for the likes, and I don't think it's sad. It's just fun and interesting to know how many fellow SBL fans are also rooting for the guy just like me. 👊
@@albaal7035 bullshit, it's a big rainbow flag covered in glitter screaming look at me, give me attention.
@@Ahriman_II Hey man, Just chillout
Hi, I remember the first time I heard him, it was in the middle of night on PBS, it was begining (february/march)of 97. I was half asleep, and then he came on, I was instantly awakened...I followed him ever since! I met him years later in Atlanta, and besides being a great musician, an amazing composer, and a virtuos , he is a great human being with a true heart and great dignity. I thought about joining his bass camp in the mountain of north Carolina which I heard was great fun. Well done on selecting pieces, but I wish you could have included his duo with Steve Bailey...keep up the great work, it s a real inspiration!
I believe I met, Victor Wooten, before he was famous...I'm sure he can confirm if I'm right...but I was in a band, Tough Act to Follow, and we were giging at one of the Trump casinos and a guy came up to me -- I think he complimented my bass playing, but however the conversation got started, he was a fellow bass player and asked if he could get a feel of my bass, or something along those lines...and when he started playing, I had to get everyone in the band to see this guy...needless to say, I was just totally blown away.
A few years later I kept hearing about this bass player named, Victor Wooten...(Bela and the Flecktones) but it wasn't until I saw my first, Victor Wooten, TH-cam video that I connected the dots. The very first time I saw him do that double thumb thing, I knew that was same guy that played my bass at the Trump casino...could I be wrong, of course...but really, how many bass players in the 80's was developing/playing that technique? I'd bet money it was him.
Scott - I love what you are doing and the inspiration and encouragement you provide to us all. I have heard that you can appreciate a constructive comment from time to time. What that said, I think you missed one that should be in your top 10 for Wooten solo’s or “Wooten’s Top 10.” Please check out Victor’s solo with the Dave Matthew’s Band on the “Live in Chicago 12.19.98 at the United Center,” #41 (the name of the track), Victor’s solo is after the sax solo at about 6 mins 30 seconds into the track and he runs a “conversational,” dare I say a “dissertational” 4 minute solo (awesome harmonics at the end to close the song) that literally and virtually says it all. This was my first experience of hearing Victor Wooten...and like many others, I didn’t know who he was. I saw Bass Day 1998 AFTER hearing this solo. Interested to hear the feedback. Stay sane, safe and healthy!
Couldn't agree more!
Incredible musicality... One of my favorite solos of all times!
th-cam.com/video/YPjyWlW0pjg/w-d-xo.html
Here's another link to the specific song on that playlist:
th-cam.com/video/9NHw5n3pxz8/w-d-xo.html
The quality of the recording is very good for a youtube video.
First time i heard him was on “Sinister Minister”, and i immediately had to know, who the bass player was
i heard him first in my high school jazz class when he played song for my father. i then went to a nearby concert and got a video of him telling my friend that i played on stage with him just to make him jealous. i didnt even ask him to say it. victor is a cool dude
The first time I heard Victor Wooten was Circa 1997(?) I was in a Circuit City and a salesperson was doing a demo on a stereo system with "A show of hands".... My jaw hit the floor and I just had to get more of Victor in my ears. I can't even count the number of shows that my Wife and I have been to since then. Whether it's him, he and his brothers, with Bela Fleck or the most recent trio he's been with... We can't miss a show.
Victor is one the best bassist ive ever heard. His reputation is truely justified. Yet I haven't heard any song of him that i like to would listen to in my free time. I hoped this video may have some but it doesnt.
Maybe its a genre preference thing but I often find that decent songs can be really awesome if a cool bassline is written in it. Haven't found anything of victor yet.
What are some of his songs you like?
Bass Tribute is very enjoyable
I get what you're saying and agree. With music, sometimes less is more. But jazz is different.
I totally agree with this, in fact it’s why I actually struggle to get through some songs he’s involved in, despite him being the best player, imo, ever. Some flecktones songs I like, but I haven’t put deep time into his whole catalog either only because the songs don’t grab me. Again - the best player ever though. Absolute control over the instrument unlike anyone else.
Kaasbaas 01 me and my bass guitar?
Kaasbaas 01 album what did he say
He's one of the best
I was at a free Gerald Beasley concert in Camden, N.J. and a brother there was telling me that Victor was the best. I said Stanley and Marcus? And he said yes! He said compared to Victor, Marcus was a studio basses. I think I cursed him. Then I went home and pulled up Victor. Been a fan every since. That was 2014.
Yesssss!!!!! I’m so glad I ran across YOU!!! So inspired to get back on bass
Bass day 98 dvd. I feel like Vic had peaked material and tone wise on that dvd.
Steve Harris or Geddy Lee next please.
first time with victor wooten was when I was sitting with my dad and he was showing me great musicians on youtube. and showed me victor wooten playing amazing grace with with harmonics.
victor is one of the reasons I play bass
He uses all that extended technique to build innovative musical ideas that don’t showcase the technique as much as they showcase his musical mind. Everything he does is musical. Even his crazy shredding stuff is always in the context of the groove. Speaking of groove. There’s never been a groovier bassist. First time I heard him was a performance with Stanley Clarke. Can’t remember the tune it might have just been a jam. Victor came in with a slap solo that blew my head off. Been a giant fan ever since. That was 15 years ago. First time I started playing bass and I’ve followed him. One of the best musicians on the planet. All hail Vic!
I especially appreciate that he does all that with a 4-string and not some crazy 8 or 10 string instrument.
That's the most impressive.
I was expecting his version of Amazing grace
Unbelievable bassist
Bass Day '98 changed my life! I'm still learning something new every time I watch that.
The first time I ever even heard of him, some music kids at college were going to see Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Victor and Futureman stole the show for me.
Now do Stanley Clarke's top 10 expressions, I mean lines 🤔
School Days is about as good as it gets. Wooten is a power house, but Clarke is still the single most impressive musician I've ever seen.
Never really liked him. Always made me wanna quit playing 😂
Lonesome PIne Specials - Ray Brown, Edgar Meyer, and Victor Wooten when it aired. I stumbled on it, slapped a blank tape in the VCR, then grabbed my bass to try and play along. Opened up my ears even more to what a bass could sound like back in '91.
What an amazing video Scott!!! Thank you for it.
After reading the music lesson
Slap like now! 😂
SLAPP
Or I'll call the police
OMG Davie really owns the bass now
The real question is, can Vic cook Italian pizza?
OMG
I was 13 when I saw Bela Fleck and the Flecktones open for Chicago in 1988(?) at SPAC. I was with my folks, and I remember not only being blown away by Victor, but also spending the first several minutes trying to figure out where the drums were coming from!
I was in my high school's jazz band. Sinister Minister was my intro to Victor. My mind was blown! It was the early 90s. This small town southern Texas boy was HOOKED!
2005 when I was in high school. My music teacher gave me DVD concerts of this master. 😁
That live version of The Lesson completely changed my life and how I view the bass as an instrument. His performance expresses so much emotion and storytelling, that every time I listen to it, I discover even more valuable treasure inside that blows my mind. Victor Wooten is truly a revolutionary and inspiration to many bass players and musicians.
I grew up in Hampton Roads, and my Dad was/is a popular local bass player, so he took me to see Victor a lot when I was younger. First time I remember was he and Sheehan giving a bass clinic at a small local guitar shop in the early 90s (Alpha Music in Virginia Beach). It was awesome, got to hang and learn from both of them for a few hours. Only like 15-20 other people there, including staff. Great memory. Hadnt thought of it in decades until watching this video. Cheers.
I watched a video of him maybe a year after I started playing bass and ever since then he’s been one of my favorite bassists of all time.
Victor is incredible.
The First Time I listened to Victor Wooten's music, was like on 2005 or 2006, when I friend of mine, show me the video where he plays "Amazing Grace", it was a wonderfull moment
Victor is an amazing musician and human being. I'll always be thankful for how his advice on sharpening up timing with a metronome improved my playing.
OMG!!!! Heard him many years ago and have loved his music with Flecktones from Sinister Minister on. He is still my favorite bassist and have been lucky to see Bela 6 times, Just perfect musicians and I thank them for inspiring me to work harder at my music, and practice more, and stretch farther!!! He was born for the bass, and I applaud his skills!!!!!
My fist time I was sitting with my boss outside of our work site. And he like the bass and I played drums. We talked about music a lot
Then we watched a VICTOR WOOTEN video and done. I was sold.
I saw him with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones in Oberlin, Ohio around 1991. It was at a place called Finney Chapel which is always free to go in. I had never heard of the group but went in to see, and the whole thing blew my mind! The best part was Victor playing the bass as it SPUN around his body!!
Im a guitarist from Zimbabwe.My first time was when a friend of mine gave me a Victor Wooten Bass day 98 audio cassette in 1998.Then I got the video and put a face to the name.
First time hearing him for me was on a radio station, WDUQ from memory. That night I heard Sinister Minister and didn't catch the name because I was so enthralled with the song itself. I turned around, picked up my bass, and started woodshedding. A few days later, I saw him on a Lonesome Pine special with Ray Brown and Edgar Meyer totally by accident while flipping through channels. From then on I was absolutely hooked and bought Flight of the Cosmic Hippo as soon as I saw it on the shelves. Still pick up my bass and play through SInister Minister, Sex in a Pan, and play at playing Classical Thump :)
Thanks Scott. This bass edition helped my create a new riff that I might have never thought to do using thumbing, strumming and couple of other ideas.
I first heard him on the original Bela and the Flektones CD from '87 or whenever it was. I later saw them live in the mid to late 90's at my workplace. I was teaching English at the historic AUA language school in Bangkok, and they came to play in the school's auditorium! It blew my mind. They were doing some sort of international goodwill tour for either the UN or the US government, I can't remember which. I saw Robben Ford there, too. That original AUA Rajdamri branch, with its teak floors, is long gone now. I was so lucky to hear such great music there. Thanks for bringing up those memories, Scott. You also mentioned KNKX, one of the last jazz radio stations in the US. You can access all their studio sessions at KNKX.org, as well as listen to their live stream if you are outside their broadcast range.
I was just learning to play bass guitar about 8 years ago, and I watched Victor Wooten's Amazing Grace bass solo. I haven't stopped learning bass guitar ever since then. He is the inspiration for why I play bass instead of electric guitar.
My cousin introduced me to him back in 2004 while I was in high school. Since him twice in concert and took pictures with him. Great guy and hell of a player !!!!!!!!!
the first time i saw victor live was together with the flecktones (yes, vix 9, sinister minister, etc).
we met before the gig, talked and took some photos together.
after the gig i hung out with him and his brother roy (an absolute musical genius on his drumitar!)
i met victor again a few years later as a solo artist and in the meantime he had become this really popular bassplayer.
we talked and he was still this humble down to earth dude dressed in sweatpants. lol
both of these brothers are incredibly talented, truly kind & humble, a rare thing these days.
One of my friends showed me "the lesson" after a couple days of playing bass, been looking up to him ever since
Saw Vic and two other Wootens at the Swindlefish Saloon in Athens, OH back in the nineties and it changed my life. For real. Mind blowing and so soulful. Amazing musicians.
I've played guitar and my cousin has played bass guitar since we were about 7 or 8 yo. When we were in our early to mid teens in the 90's (huge metal heads by then lol), we stumbled upon Béla Fleck and the Flecktones' Flight of the Cosmic Hippo. (considered new age jazz back then). Hearing Victor's playing and style for the first time was amazing and I wish I could relive it again and again!
Fast forward a little. Béla Fleck was playing at a jazz festival / concert near us so we went. When we got there, it was a ritzy, uppity, snobby type crowd. Everyone was wearing slacks with collared shirts, while me and my cousin were wearing all black with Metallica t shirts. Everybody looked at us like we were lost lol. We found a place to sit and the group next to us asked "You know you're at a jazz concert right?" We said .."Yeah, we're here to watch Victor Wooten play" They asked "Who is that?".........We said "Just watch and see!"
After Victor did his first solo....They looked over at us wide eyed and amazed...We just grinned and said....."Told ya" XD
i only heard of him about 2 weeks ago. Im not even a bass player and he changed the way i think about music