So my dad, my dad's gf Suzanne, jimmy and I were walking out with Carl, talking about how to get to the gig. Then Carl asked us if we wanted to ride with him (!!!!). So we were like that would be fantastically awesome. So i carried what i believe was Jeff's 6 string bass, it might have been someone else's, and jimmy and i hopped in Carl's acura while my dad and suzanne followed behind us. Carl talked to us about bass and music and some of his philosophies about building instruments and all kinds of good stuff that left me all very starstruck. We found places to park and then got out at the restaurant, the Downtown Atlantic. We helped Carl bring his gear inside and helped him setup a little bit. Then we sat down as the rest of the band started to arrive. People with Carl had reserved tables up front so it was really nice.
Carl's band, which was essentially Carl Thompson & Friends, was pure jazz, made up of bass, drums, guitar, two saxes, a clarinet and a vocalist on some songs. Carl, Cook, Jayme, Virginia, Frank, the clarinet guy, and Connie, respectively. It was amazing. I'd never seen a jazz gig before. Carl plays with a hook finger style, ala james jamerson. He used one of his 4 string fretless basses, it had very light inlays. I was amazed at how precise he was. He was all over the neck with his walking bass lines. He's a really great musician. everybody knows carl, our dinner was free cos we were with him. There was a bass shaped cake and everything. The superbowel was on all night and it was a great jazzy vibe.
During the cake/set break, everyone busted out their CTs. It was an orgy of basses. I played/held a 4 string piccolo, a 6 string fretted, and a 7 string... i don't recall if it was fretless or not, i dont think so. Carl's instruments are amazing. 30 seconds into playing the piccolo 4, i got that feeling that the instrument is an extension of your body for the first time ever. I can't stand my modulus anymore. Thanks carl, hahaha. btw, carl showed me my bass so far in the shop, it's a block of wood. hahaha. The rest of the night was more jazzing and snapping pictures of basses and owners. Carl made sure jimmy and I got a picture with the whole band, and he ended up singing You Are My Sunshine to suzanne. hahaha, he loves the ladies. it was pretty funny. Great night. I plan on visiting him every month or a little less during school, with more visits during the summer. We had to leave right after the set finished because my dad and suzanne had a 2 hour drive back home. I would have loved to stay after the gig and talk bass/music with carl, but there'll be time for that.
These pics are the highlights from the 50 or so pics i took with my camera, all from the gig at the downtown atlantic restaurant. My dad took more pics of me and jimmy with carl that i'll have up soon. All the pics can be seen on my facebook.
me looking really ugly next to the beautiful piccolo 4.
brian with his 7 string. that is SO much bass.
Serenading suzanne.
Duet.
Ahhh.... carl was a lot different than i thought he was gonna be. Based on how he was on the phone and in the video on ctbasses.com, i thought he was going to be a lot more laidback. Just as friendly though. But tonight he must have been in a great mood, rightfully so, as he was bouncing around and youthful and almost eccentric. One of my favorite nights of my life.
edit: this is jeff, found a pic of him on the ct website.
