Sébastien Beliah: Boogie Basses for solo double bass & double bass quartet

About the Composition

Boogie Basses is a fun transcription of Boogie Concertino, originally for solo double bass and string quartet, and newly arranged for solo double bass and double bass quartet by David Heyes in 2013.

It is a lively and immediately accessible introduction into the world of jazz, using melodic clichés and rhythmic patterns, alongside a groovy feeling and a great challenge for young bassists to play their first concertino accompanied by a double bass quartet.

The solo double bass part remains in bass clef throughout, featuring both arco and pizzicato, with a passage left open for improvisation for the bassist with jazz skills and the opportunity to demonstrate chord changes of the blues, pentatonic scales or any devices that would fit the style of boogie. This section also includes a 'written-out improvisation' for bassists who prefer not to improvise.

Boogie Concertino can be played with solo double bass and double bass quartet or with larger forces.

Boogie Basses was premiered at Wells Cathedral School (Somerset, UK) on 29 September 2013 by a massed bass orchestra, directed by David Heyes. The jazz soloists were Joe Prindl and Jim Rintoul.

About the Composer

Sébastien Beliah was born in 1979 and studied at the CNSM in Paris (Jazz/Improvisation) and double bass with Jean-Christophe Deleforge at the CRR in Auberviller-La Courneuvre. He divides a busy career between performing (classical, contemporary, jazz), teaching and composing. For 7 years he led the quartet 'Wark', which performed at many festivals across France, and currently playes with the trio 'r.mutt' and 'Ensemble Hodos'. Since 2006 Sebastien Beliah has taught double bass and improvisation at the CRR in Reims and is also an active member of the Umlaut Records crew in Paris.