Date : 19th May 2003
Venue Allenby Campus.
Bramley.
Attendance : 23
Apologies : Martin Simpson
23 Bassists Present: Theo Klassen, Doggit, Llewellyn John, Dave Askes, Bert Askes, Quinn Hawley, Ashley van Wyk, Steve Crozet, Graham Green, Philip Raath, Kerry Hiles, Graeme Currie, Juan Smit, Christo Groenewald, Kai Horsthemke, Greg Moonsammy, Concorde Nkabinde, Michael Philips, Eugene Theron, Heath Cooper, Glen Haggis, Sylvester Majola & Danie Burger

Coffee and biscuits were a treat marvellous!
What a joy it was to see so many new faces! Welcome to Christo (Cape Town), Eugene, Gregory, Michael... hope to see you all again.

Graeme started the evening at 7:30 by welcoming everyone to Allenby and had a gentle gripe about the evening's potential entertainment being a "conflict of interests" initially, an AMPEG display and Graeme's Honours recital were on the cards, but then a TOMS gear expo was also planned, as well as a recital by Kai and Doggit all on the same evening. Discussions ensued and it was decided amongst those present that there is time enough for everyone to "do their thing" throughout the year. It was also emphasised that COMMUNICATION between various parties is the key to success. The greatest communication tool the bass club has is the website and a quick survey proved encouraging, with most of those in the room regularly checking www.bassplayers.co.za for news/gig info/gear details.

TOMS' expo was postponed and Global Music was unable to provide AMPEG gear due to inventory and budget dealings (despite ample forewarning), so Doggit and Kai were left to entertain. And entertain they did! A two bass project, started to provide inexpensive live music at a 50th birthday party, that sees Kai on 5 string fretless Samick and Doggit on his Pedulla 5 string fretted sing through songs that they have each penned or freshly arranged. Adam's Apples (Doggit), arrangement by Kai of Claud Debussy's Clare de Lune (originally arranged for a trio, but rearranged for two basses), Decadence Blues (Doggit as he says "it's nursery rhymish. Think of little girls on swings...with beers in their hands!"), and Wide Awake in Ullapool (Kai inspired by a family holiday in the Northern Scottish Highlands) featuring some fabulous slap chordy groove thing by Doggit left us all begging for an encore. Kai's Heartland (dedicated to the memory of Alan Hunter and Martin Mitchell) was the piece chosen what a fitting ending. Well done, you marvellous musicians! A brief question and answer session followed.

Graeme applauded the diversity of talent and musical background present amongst all the players in the room and stressed the importance of exploring these differences at future meetings. Newcomer, Christo, suggested that demonstrations not necessarily be limited to the once monthly meetings, but that it might be possible to host a demonstration in the comfort of one's home, for example, every second week. Doggit raised the question of which channel does one use to ask people for demonstrations? This sparked a barrage of demonstration suggestions: tone and how to get it, fretless workshop, slap workshop, upright workshop, metal workshop...and that all attending should be encouraged to bring their basses along. Concorde reminded everyone that a committee has been selected to deal with the allocation of subjects to cover all aspects and accommodate everyone, whether giving or receiving demonstrations.
A related topic: please get your biographies in to the website ASAP as this will allow everyone else to know what your strong points are and whether or not you'd be in demand to give a demonstration. This means signing up as a member and paying your membership fee of R300pa, or entering competitions and winning your annual membership!

Concern over potentially brutal editing by the new Bottom Line editor, Julian, was expressed as most people feel that the appeal of the mag is that anyone can contribute anything at anytime. Others felt it was time to edit judiciously as certain articles were getting too long to maintain interest. The point was raised that the editor should, wherever possible, attend the monthly meetings, and that there should be an article on whoever is gracing the cover of the magazine. If anyone has subsequently read the first page, you will see that "this month's...next month's...and July's cover artist have already been interviewed...so it's really just 'catch up time'".

More topics covered: Have we alienated upright players? Please think about this. And how to cure it if that is the case.
Also, everyone needs to get more actively involved in the bass club! If you don't know when the next meet is ask. If you want other people to get involved tell them what's happening. Again COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY! Newcomer, Gregory, has access to a call centre so will be mass emailing, sms ing and calling all members of the club in future. Thank you for this very kind and useful offer.

Remember 21st July @ NSA. 7pm. See you there!
Kerry Hiles.