Date: 23rd September 2002
Time: 19:30
Venue: Pretoria Technikon
Bassists Present at the meeting:
Martin Simpson, Gito Baloi, Marc Duby, Graeme Currie, Heath Cooper, Jason Green, Algernon Loxton, Jesse Mogale, Storme Campbell, Johann Kruger, Richard vd Ordel, Anton Beukes, Steve Crozet & Silver Snook

Apologies: Kai Horsthemke, Concord Nkabinde, Llewellyn John, Nippy Cripwell, Trevor Muller, Kerry Hiles, Theo Klassen, Dave Manchip, Dave Askes & Andre Abrahamse

Thanks to Marc Duby and the Pretoria Technikon for the venue. Hopefully we can use it again in the future.

Welcome by Marc Duby at Pretoria Tech School of Music. Thanked Martin for being the driving force behind the SA Bass Players Collective. Hear! Hear!
Martin took over and suggested we have a look at the website and for all of us to submit our CV’s, Resumés whatever in our individual pursuit to become famous. You never know, someone may like what and who you are and hire you – internationally too!!!

The album project is on track – nearly 3 CD’s worth of submissions. All we have to do now is listen and choose the finals. This is not a “winner” thing, it’s representative of what we, as South African Bassists, do! The follow up CD’s will continue this tradition.

We are urged to pay our subscription fees. R300-00c for twelve months – the thirteenth month free if this fee is paid as a whole! Otherwise R25 per month. This money is necessary to continue our one of a kind club in SA. Register, put in your subscription fees to make this club stronger and have your say.

Bring all your old strings for our brothers in the rest of Africa. They battle to get them – give these strings to either Kerry Hiles or Andre Abrahamse – much appreciated.

One of our new attendees (and a past student of mine) LG (Algernon) suggested members or educators demonstrate practical theory lessons on a CD and/or in the newsletter or on the website – or even in video format.

Another new attendee Jesse Mogale introduced the ISB (International Society of Bassists) to us. Their next convention is in New Jersey in June. Their publication is tri-annual and is aimed at classical and jazz double bass players. For one of the instructors to address us eg Rufus Reed or Francois Rabbath, they would need an affiliated club in SA – SABPC. We need all your support.

*Doug and Storme bought sandwiches (cucumber) for everyone ‘coz they were late! But no note!!!!!!!!

Marc Duby entertained us highly with his workshop on Eberhard Weber and his concept of Bass playing and composing. You missed a great talk and a world of info as imparted by a passionate and intensely well informed Marc, if you did not attend.

Jason Green introduced Johan Kruger – bass maker and “the other six string” instrument maker. Johan discussed his concepts on bass making – not innovative just basic, continuing the tradition using the best concepts of the top bass makers’ worldwide. These are some of the best basses I’ve ever heard. I want one!

It was great to see some old friends and some new – and for me especially , a past student, Silver, who stars in Richard Lorings ‘Girltalk’ on bass!

The idea is that the meeting in November be the last meeting of the year. We hope it will be well attended. Let’s show our strength, commitment and conviction. The first meeting in 2003 will be February 23rd (venue to be finalised)

We hope to have our official launch of SABPC somewhere towards the end of January. Plans will go ahead to organise this.
Thank you to all who made the not so long trek to Pretoria. See you all next time.

Concord will be absent in favour of gigs for the rest of the year so it will be my duty to be the minutes taker for the next two meetings. I hope this coming season sees us all working satisfactorily if not furiously. Good luck and good playing. Regards
Graeme