Jennifer Clark - Double Bass, Bass Guitar

Latest Updates:

10/8/2008 - On 23rd August and the following Saturday afternoons, my trio will be playing in the Corinthian, Glasgow, with various featured singers. See my gig dates for more details.

2/8/2008 - Something a bit different! For the last couple of years I have been working with flautist Margaret McLarty - we've performed in various combinations from a flute/double bass duet to jazz quartet. Brel has been one of our regular venues, and today we gigged there for the first time with Graham McGeeoch (violin), Robin Robertson (giutar) and Ewan Laing (drums), doing material mostly from the mainstream jazz repertoire. All played well indeed, and the gig was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience, who demanded an encore! We'll definitely be working with this combination again.

28/6/2008 - Have done a couple of gigs with singer/songwriter Horse McDonald in Cabaret Voltaire (Edinburgh) and The Adam Smith Theatre (Krikcaldy), which have received great reviews - "Horse and band were wonderful" - "Absolutely fab gig" - "really enjoyed the new songs" - "A great mix of classic, old and new song..... something for everyone" - "a lyrical and musical quality that is breathtaking". Horse is releasing a new album later in the year, with more concerts to follow, events seriously not to be missed.

5/6/2008 - Much has happened since the last update - I really must try harder to keep this page up to date! There are more updates to come on the website, but in the meantime I've uploaded some more transcriptions to the Transcriptions page.

2/4/2008 - Second concert with Strathclyde University Symphony Orchestra - this time we did "an all-American programme, featuring Charles Ives's Second Symphony, Aaron Copland's ballet Appalachian Spring , and the Guitar Concerto by Villa-Lobos." This was all written in the 20th Century, and was challenging, but ultimately very worthwhile.

?/1/2008 - My first jazz gig using a real double bass. I love it!

5/12/2008 - My first proper classical concert with Strathclyde University Symphony Orchestra - we performed "a programme of French music featuring Saint-Saëns's Cello Concerto in A minor, César Franck's Symphony in D minor, and Ravel's Mother Goose suite." Very enjoyable indeed!

10/9/2008 - I've joined Strathclyde University Symphony Orchestra, who have very kindly given me a loan of a double bass for this purpose.

8/9/2007 - The first gig in Art De Caf of new band "Silver Screen Heroes". We will be playing great music from many genres, featuring several famous television and movie themes. The band features some of the best musicians in Scotland, including Scott Madden (piano), Stewart Forbes (sax, flute), Paul Henderson (guitar), Billy Kettle (drums), and Jim Whyte (drums). I am really looking forward to this one!

18/4/2007 - Stuart Forbes, Laurie Gray and myself did a live session on BBC Radio Scotland's programme "The Jazz House", playing a couple of original compositions by Stuart and Laurie, and an on the spot improvisation based on the Carmina Burana. A most enjoyable experience! Naturally, I used my new  WAV Electric Upright Bass - it just had to be done!

5/4/2007 - I have acquired an End Pin Stand for my WAV Electric Upright Bass, which allows the instrument to be positioned and played in the same way as a normal double bass. I immediately found it to be superior in comfort and playability to the tripod stand supplied with the WAV - I'll comment more as my experience with it increases. I bought it from the Violin Shop in Glasgow, an excellent establishment which is now stocking NS Design instruments.

17/3/2007 - I've been gigging a lot with Leana Zaccarini; in addition to our Sunday residency in Platform 1, we have recently played various venues in Aberdeen and Glasgow. Leana is a great singer, and I highly recommend that you check her out - check out my Gig Dates for details of upcoming events.

3/3/2007 -  Big Bob's Jazz Band has moved to a smashing new venue, Art De Caf, in Glasgow's Merchant City. Great Food, Great Music, Fine Wine - highly recommended.

15/2/2007 - Played my first gig with the WAV Electric Upright Bass. Scary stuff, but it went well. I think Ned Steinberger is onto a winner with this instrument.

30/1/2007 - I took delivery of an NS Design WAV Electric Upright Bass. It looks great, and sounds great, both bowed and pizzicato. More to follow as I adapt and relearn my existing technique this new instrument.

11/7/2006 - "Och Tete" played their first gig at the Plough Hotel Jazz Club to a great response from the audience.  It was the first gig with Och Tete for Laurie Hamilton (guitar), Alan Benzie (piano), and Jane Mclaughlin (vocals), all of whom performed exceptionally - hats off to you all. The "old guard" of seven weeks did no' bad either! The band would like to send their wishes to Gary Kemp, who could not make the gig due to illness. Get well soon Gary.

18/5/2006 - The debut of "Och Tete" at Starbucks in the west end of Glasgow. This is a new band put together by trombonist Robert Baxter and myself, initially performing arrangements from the Dave Pell Octet, who were a big influence in West Coast Jazz scene in the 1950’s. We'll be expanding the repertoire in the near future; please check my gig dates for upcoming shows.

7/4/2006 - Did a gig with "A Salute to Glenn Miller", a big band put together by arranger Dave Hankin. I was depping, so it was my first time with this band, and they were awesome! Dave has spent a lot of time in the arrangements, which are all accurately transcribed and in the original keys. You can really hear and feel the difference between those and the usual Glenn Miller charts you come across in big bands. For a moment during the gig I could swear I was transported back in time...

14/3/2006 - I have recorded some tunes with Cosmo's Cousin, a new Glasgow based band seeking gigs in the local area and beyond. You can listen to a couple of them here; if you'd like to hear some more please email me. We have a gig in the Royale Club in Rutherglen, on the 27th April, for tickets, email me. They are a great band with a great sound - I am really looking forward to the gig!

8/3/2006 - Scott Madden, Bert Craig and myself recorded a CD with singer Jack Patrick, which in our opinion has turned out really well - you can make up your own mind, however, by listening to a few songs from it here. Jack sings with Big Bob's Jazz Band every Saturday in Bar 185, Glasgow - check my gig dates for more details.