Q. Could you tell us a little about your background? What made you decide to pick up a bass? How did you start out?
A. Well from an early age I got involved in the school band program. I started out on alto saxophone, switched to drums in the high school marching band and finally found my home on the bass prior to graduation. My desire to start playing the bass was actually in part due to a strange and intense reoccurring dream I had, about playing a bass guitar. It sounds corny, but it’s true.

Q. Were those early years difficult for you?
A. It was challenging. However, I was so inspired and passionate about playing the instrument that I would play for hours on end. In addition, my experiences with the saxophone and drums helped to give me a musical foundation that I believe helped to shape me and allowed me to excel a little quicker on the instrument.

Q. Who were your influences both then and now?
A. The Police and Sting were and still are a big influence. When I started playing in the late 1980’s, heavy metal and hair bands were apart of my generation and culture. I was influenced by many of those type of groups at first. When I went to college, I was introduced to Miles Davis and Charlie Parker and that was it for me. Their music really seemed to connect with me in a spiritual way. From that point on, I really started exploring the history of jazz and the musicians that passed through Miles Davis band’s as well as Herbie Hancock’s and Art Blakey’s.

Q. What type of musical education did you have? Do you teach any students yourself?
A. From fourth grade through high school graduation, I was involved with the band/chorus program. I went to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and later to the University of Memphis, majoring in music performance as well as music business/recording elements. Currently I teach a few private students and in addition, I also teach a monthly online music class at Adam Nitti’s online music school, http://www.musicdojo.com

Q. How important do you consider the understanding of music theory and aural training?
A. Music theory is the DNA of making sense of musical elements and forming these ideas into an analytical approach. However for me, aural ear training is the defining element for any musician. This is and should be the most important aspect for any aspiring artist/musician. Develop your ear! Know what it is your hearing and how to get that out of your instrument.

Q. So far in your music career, what are your biggest regrets and your favorite moments?
A. I try not to look back and focus on the things that I can’t change. However, I do want to learn from my mistakes and in areas of my life that could use improving. As far as my favorite moments, I would say its just breathing my next breath, keeping my health and sharing my music to anyone who will listen.

Q. Do you prefer performing live or recording in the studio?
A. In some regards, they are both different animals. When the music, players and chemistry are right; there’s nothing like playing live and feeling the energy and instant feedback from a crowd. It’s all about living in the moment and taking chances. In the studio, it’s more about trying ideas to see what works and what doesn’t. You can always rewind and try a different approach. However, ultimately the final take should be “in the moment” as well.

Q. On your albums you seem to have a well developed style, how does a player go about creating their own?
A. I believe this is something that just takes time and I don’t believe you can rush this. I’ve recorded six CD’s on my own and played on other numerous artists CD’s and I’m just now starting to realize what “my voice” is. I haven’t quite developed it yet, however I have a clearer understanding of what that “it” is.

Q. If you had to give one piece of advice to a bass player, what would it be?
A. Serve the music! Put your ego on the shelf and play what the music dictates. If a song needs one long sustained whole note for the entire piece to make it work, than play that and don’t let your selfish desires get in the way. The music is bigger than any one individual. All of need to serve the music/artists that we work with.

Q. Your latest album ‘Decade 1996-2005′ is a compilation of some of your finest works, was it a difficult decision choosing which songs to put on there?
A. Thank you! There were a few tunes that almost made the cut, but they just fell a little short. In the end, I believe the stronger tunes rose to the top (so to speak). The idea of “Decade 1996-2005″ was to re-mix, re-master and re-introduce my music to those who hadn’t heard it before. Furthermore, I’ve always felt like all of my CD’s have fallen short to some extent and I wanted to take the stronger material that seemed to hold up and compile that into one recording that I could be fairly proud of.

Q. Was ‘Decade’ inspired by all your experience as a musician?
A. Yes it was. Ten years of music plus I recorded one new song which was the title track. On this track, “Decade” I played all the instruments and I believe that my past experiences on the saxophone and drums helped in this role of playing all of the instruments. On a sidenote, I do believe that any instrument is really just an extension of what and who you really are. It’s not as much about the instrument as it is about the musical idea.

Q. How did you find your time in the UK? Do you have any current plans to return?
A. I love the UK, such wonderful and honest people! I hope to return as often as possible. In fact, Stefan Redtenbacher invited me to perform and give a workshop at his school in London and I hope to work this out in the very near future.

Q. Now, the biggest question of all? What’s next?
A. I’m getting ready to start on a recording project titled, “Thumper”. It is very African based in nature and it’s primarily a slap bass recording (hence the name). In addition, I’m also currently producing and finishing several projects for http://www.BlueCanoeRecords.com.

Q. Thank you for your time, I wish you the very best for the future.
A. Thank you Andy!! I wish you all the best with your musical endeavors and I so appreciate what you are doing for the bass community at http://www.bassnews.co.uk

You can find out more about JPM on his website.

Q. Could you tell us a little about your background? What made you decide to pick up a bass? How did you start out?
A. Well from an early age I got involved in the school band program. I started out on alto saxophone, switched to drums in the high school marching band and finally found my home on the bass prior to graduation. My desire to start playing the bass was actually in part due to a strange and intense reoccurring dream I had, about playing a bass guitar. It sounds corny, but it’s true.

Q. Were those early years difficult for you?
A. It was challenging. However, I was so inspired and passionate about playing the instrument that I would play for hours on end. In addition, my experiences with the saxophone and drums helped to give me a musical foundation that I believe helped to shape me and allowed me to excel a little quicker on the instrument.

Q. Who were your influences both then and now?
A. The Police and Sting were and still are a big influence. When I started playing in the late 1980’s, heavy metal and hair bands were apart of my generation and culture. I was influenced by many of those type of groups at first. When I went to college, I was introduced to Miles Davis and Charlie Parker and that was it for me. Their music really seemed to connect with me in a spiritual way. From that point on, I really started exploring the history of jazz and the musicians that passed through Miles Davis band’s as well as Herbie Hancock’s and Art Blakey’s.

Q. What type of musical education did you have? Do you teach any students yourself?
A. From fourth grade through high school graduation, I was involved with the band/chorus program. I went to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and later to the University of Memphis, majoring in music performance as well as music business/recording elements. Currently I teach a few private students and in addition, I also teach a monthly online music class at Adam Nitti’s online music school, http://www.musicdojo.com

Q. How important do you consider the understanding of music theory and aural training?
A. Music theory is the DNA of making sense of musical elements and forming these ideas into an analytical approach. However for me, aural ear training is the defining element for any musician. This is and should be the most important aspect for any aspiring artist/musician. Develop your ear! Know what it is your hearing and how to get that out of your instrument.

Q. So far in your music career, what are your biggest regrets and your favorite moments?
A. I try not to look back and focus on the things that I can’t change. However, I do want to learn from my mistakes and in areas of my life that could use improving. As far as my favorite moments, I would say its just breathing my next breath, keeping my health and sharing my music to anyone who will listen.

Q. Do you prefer performing live or recording in the studio?
A. In some regards, they are both different animals. When the music, players and chemistry are right; there’s nothing like playing live and feeling the energy and instant feedback from a crowd. It’s all about living in the moment and taking chances. In the studio, it’s more about trying ideas to see what works and what doesn’t. You can always rewind and try a different approach. However, ultimately the final take should be “in the moment” as well.

Q. On your albums you seem to have a well developed style, how does a player go about creating their own?
A. I believe this is something that just takes time and I don’t believe you can rush this. I’ve recorded six CD’s on my own and played on other numerous artists CD’s and I’m just now starting to realize what “my voice” is. I haven’t quite developed it yet, however I have a clearer understanding of what that “it” is.

Q. If you had to give one piece of advice to a bass player, what would it be?
A. Serve the music! Put your ego on the shelf and play what the music dictates. If a song needs one long sustained whole note for the entire piece to make it work, than play that and don’t let your selfish desires get in the way. The music is bigger than any one individual. All of need to serve the music/artists that we work with.

Q. Your latest album ‘Decade 1996-2005′ is a compilation of some of your finest works, was it a difficult decision choosing which songs to put on there?
A. Thank you! There were a few tunes that almost made the cut, but they just fell a little short. In the end, I believe the stronger tunes rose to the top (so to speak). The idea of “Decade 1996-2005″ was to re-mix, re-master and re-introduce my music to those who hadn’t heard it before. Furthermore, I’ve always felt like all of my CD’s have fallen short to some extent and I wanted to take the stronger material that seemed to hold up and compile that into one recording that I could be fairly proud of.

Q. Was ‘Decade’ inspired by all your experience as a musician?
A. Yes it was. Ten years of music plus I recorded one new song which was the title track. On this track, “Decade” I played all the instruments and I believe that my past experiences on the saxophone and drums helped in this role of playing all of the instruments. On a sidenote, I do believe that any instrument is really just an extension of what and who you really are. It’s not as much about the instrument as it is about the musical idea.

Q. How did you find your time in the UK? Do you have any current plans to return?
A. I love the UK, such wonderful and honest people! I hope to return as often as possible. In fact, Stefan Redtenbacher invited me to perform and give a workshop at his school in London and I hope to work this out in the very near future.

Q. Now, the biggest question of all? What’s next?
A. I’m getting ready to start on a recording project titled, “Thumper”. It is very African based in nature and it’s primarily a slap bass recording (hence the name). In addition, I’m also currently producing and finishing several projects for http://www.BlueCanoeRecords.com.

Q. Thank you for your time, I wish you the very best for the future.
A. Thank you Andy!! I wish you all the best with your musical endeavors and I so appreciate what you are doing for the bass community at http://www.bassnews.co.uk

You can find out more about JPM on his website.