Kevin Wong & the BASSment
Gig Seeker Pro

Kevin Wong & the BASSment

San Francisco, California, United States | SELF

San Francisco, California, United States | SELF
Band Jazz Funk

Calendar

Music

Press


"The BASSment"

Fans of funk, soul, and new directions in hip-hop can take a trip into the BASSment, largely inspired by the innovative Soulive band and its counterpart, Lettuce. Kevin Wong, the leader of this talented quartet, holds down the keys and Hammond sounds with his right hand while his left picks up the bass lines. Guitarist Nate Mercereau adds insight with tasteful nuances and nasty solos. On the drum set, Clarence Lewis IV has his pockets full of funk. Also on the bill is Daniel Casares, tenor saxophonist from SF's Jazz Mafia. - San Francisco Bay Guardian


"Bay Area Organ Trio BASSment Announces Their Last Public Performance for the Spring Season at Hotel De Anza in San Jose"

BASSment will perform at the Hedley Lounge in the Hotel De Anza in

San Jose, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) March 16, 2011

One of the most unique and versatile bands to come out of the Bay Area in recent years, BASSment combines jazz, blues, funk, soul, and everything in between to create a tasteful mélange of musical chemistry. Known for their amazing talent and energy, BASSment is a modern "organ trio" style ensemble based in San Francisco that performs in various size configuations for festivals, weddings, corporate and private parties, wineries, casinos, clubs, lounges and restaurants.

Their performance at the Hedley Lounge at Hotel De Anza in San Jose will go on from 8:30 pm until 12:30 am and will feature the multi-talented left-hand bassist and organist Kevin Wong, saxophonist extraordinaire Stabe Wilson, passionate drummer Dante McClinton, and Bay Area guitarist Ken Harrill. Admission to this event is free. 10 different live albums will be available for only $7 each.

Founder Kevin Wong created this jazz funk ensemble out of his appreciation for the popular organ trio Soulive. Like Soulive, Kevin plays bass lines with his left hand while simultaneously playing chords, melodies, and solos with his right hand. “While there is no substitute for a real bass guitarist, the absence of a one allows us to take the music anywhere we want to go,” says Wong. “Spur of the moment chord substitutions, timbre/texture changes, energy/intensity level changes or morphing into an entirely different song are all possible at anytime.”

Organist, saxophonist, and pianist Kevin Wong graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in Jazz Performance, studying jazz piano with Dee Spencer & jazz saxophone with Andrew Speight. Born with perfect pitch, Wong began playing piano at the age of 4, played his first public performance when he was 5, and began composing at the age of 6. He has played with numerous industry greats, such as Booker T Jones, James Carter, T.S. Monk, Frank Capp, Jimmy Cobb, Ray Drummond, Jon Jang, Wayne Wallace, John Calloway, and Vernon Black.

Passionate, soul stirring, and versatile saxophonist Stabe Wilson has appeared with a number of prominent gospel artists including the Hawkins Family,Donald Lawrence, Richard Smallwood, Kirk Franklin, the Winans, and the late great Rev. James Cleveland. He has also performed with Pete Escovedo, Will Downing, Kenny Garrett, Bilal, Howard Hewitt, and Jonathan Butler. Stabe toured on the “MTV Good Vibes” tour featuring India.Arie, Mystic, and the Black Eyed Peas, as well as touring with the late, gifted Billy Preston and the late, beautiful Phyllis Hyman and the late, legendary Jimmy Smith.

Dante McClinton is a San Francisco Bay Area-based drummer with more than 20 years experience. His diverse playing style includes gospel, R&B, rock, funk, jazz, reggae and afro-cuban. Danté has shared his talents with artists including grammy award winners: Raphael Saddiq, Yolanda Adams, Shirley Cesaer, and Ricky Dillard; grammy award nonminees: Ledisi, Dave Hollister, N’dambi, Truth Hurts, and Goaple; other artists include: Martin Luther of the Roots, Bray, Sakai, Will Hammond, Qui and many more. Dante pours his heart, mind, and soul into his music, as it is his passion and art.

Ken Harrill is a versatile guitarist residing in the Bay Area. Ken studied music at Dick Grove school of music in Los Angeles and has been a studio musician for over 20 years. Ken has been heard on TV shows, movies, CDs and computer games, and has performed with Narada Michael, Greg Phillinganes, Patti Austin, Dennis Chambers, Little Anthony and the imperials, Booker T, Clearnce Clemens, Neil Young, Vince Neil (Motley Crue), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), members of Tower of Power to name a few.

For more information BASSment’s San Jose show or to inquire about bookings or other questions, call (650) 353-7972 or visit their website at http://www.bassmentmusic.com.

About BASSment
BASSment is an exceptionally talented and interactive organ trio based in San Francisco with a unique combination of virtuosity, chemistry, emotion, and feel. The musical group plays weddings, corporate and private parties, wineries, casinos, clubs, lounges and restaurants.

Available in larger configurations as well, the group can play any genre—and their ability to cover songs requested by the wedding party makes them a popular San Francisco Bay Area wedding band. As of this time, the band has written 10 original songs, and will be releasing its first studio album sometime this year. Their YouTube playlist can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=21FAB6A73B4F5A89. - PRWeb


"BASSment rising to new jazz heights"

I don’t know why, but there are more jokes written about bass players than about musicians playing any other instrument.
What does a bass player use as contraception? His personality.
How many bass players does it take to screw in a light bulb? None; the keyboard player can do it with his left hand.
What are the three most difficult years in a bass player's life? Second grade.

Such laugh lines come to mind when I ponder BASSment, the bass-driven, edgy jazz outfit bassist Kevin Wong founded in 2003. Its influences range from Soulive and Maceo Parker to Herbie Hancock and Joshua Redman and the band boasts all the bass personnel you’d ever want. Consider, for a moment, the band’s official bio.
Currently, BASSment is a collective of exceptionally talented musicians with a unique combination of virtuosity, chemistry, emotion and feel. Available in any size configuration from a trio to a seven-piece band or more, they are capable of playing all sorts of music from soft dinner jazz to blusey soulful funk to high energy rock. The core of the band is an organ trio with guitarist Nate Mercereau, key bassist/organist Kevin Wong and drummer Clarence Lewis IV. Their extended personal includes bassist Scott Thompson, tenor saxophonist Daniel Casares, alto saxophonist Lionel Briones, trumpeter Will Magid and vocalists Jonah Johnson, Lonny Dotson and Yvette Plyant.

If you’re intrigued by all this, be aware you’ve got ample opportunity to catch BASSment live in the coming days. The group is scheduled to play Thursday at the Blackthorn in San Francisco, Friday at the Hotel De Anza in San Jose, August 19 at the SFSU’s Malcolm X Plaza and August 27 at Gordon Biersch in San Jose. Check out the clip below. - Oakland Jazz Music Examiner


Discography

Movin' Air (April 2012)
Digital download available at:
www.kevwong.bandcamp.com

BOOKINGS:

Giorgio Cafiero
(650) 799-1080
bassmentbookings@gmail.com

Photos

Bio

An ensemble of some of the best and brightest stars on the current music scene in Northern California, Kevin Wong & the BASSment is composed of musicians who combine innate talent with sparkling original tunes, humor, style, and a dynamic musical signature which has garnered acclaim from the moment they first took the stage years ago. The band showcases the gifts of the inspired guitarist Cedricke Dennis, phenomenal key bassist/organist and bandleader Kevin Wong, the always amazing Dante McClinton on drums, with Daniel Casares taking the show to new heights on sax.

Born with perfect pitch, Kevin Wong, the leader of this talented quartet, holds down the keys & Hammond sounds with his right hand while his left picks up the bass lines. Their album Movin’ Air, released in April 2012, features original songs which pioneer a whole new sound on the jazz horizon. The S.F. Examiner called BASSment "... a collective of exceptionally talented musicians with a unique combination of virtuosity, chemistry, emotion and feel." You can catch them every 2nd Friday @ Scott's in Jack London Square (Oakland, CA) from 6-10pm.