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Concert today explores the power of the bass guitar

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By Richard O Jones, Staff Writer 3:51 AM Wednesday, July 15, 2009

LIBERTY TWP. — A pair of Butler County bass guitarists have joined forces to start what they hope will be a new concert series to highlight the power of the bass as a solo instrument.

The Cincinnati Bass Blast is at 7 p.m. today, July 15, at the Edge Teen Center, 7568 Wyandot Lane, Liberty Twp.

Helena Bouchez and David Yates met a few years ago at Victor Wooten’s Bass/Nature Camp near Nashville. Wooten, best known as the bassist for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, has been running the experimental camp for 10 years that reflects his flamboyant style.

“People can come and learn about making a shelter, building a fire and using the double-thumb technique,” Yates said.

Bouchez lived in the Chicago area at the time, but the two continued to correspond, tossing around the idea of a bass-centered concert series until she moved to Middletown this year and decided to make their dream a reality.

In the meantime, Yates started volunteering at the Edge Teen Center, finding that facility a good place to hold their first show, and so booked three of the region’s top solo bassists.

“The Bass Blast is designed to draw together the Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky bass guitar community as well as to help raise the profile of the Edge Teen Center, which provides area teens with community service opportunities, social activities, tutoring, counseling and life skills courses along with a fun and safe place to hang out,” Yates said.

Confirmed acts include:

• Steven Guerrero of Toledo, who performs with the use of loop devices to help create a richer, deeper sound;

• Doug Johns of Cleveland, who has worked with Wooten, Buddy Miles, Dweezil Zappa, Dana Rasch, The LA Mass Choir, Grammy-winning producer Aaron Lindsey and others;

• Jauqo III-X Reality of Chicago, a new band under the leadership of Jauqo III-X, a protege of the great jazz player Ornette Coleman.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2188 or rjones@coxohio.com.