BassPlayer 2017-05

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Brandi Disterheft Deep Blue
BY RICK SUCHOW |
“MY CONCEPT CHANGES EVERY FEW
months,” says New York jazzer Brandi Disterheft on how
she gets her big upright sound. “Sometimes I’m craving
gut strings, other times low-action metal strings with a
growly sustain. Sometimes the music calls for a hard-hitting
aggressive attack, and other times, the opposite.”
She brings the same varied approach to her recordings
as well, most recently Blue Canvas, Brandi’s fourth solo
release in eight years. The album mixes obscure standards
and creative originals, uptempo swing and moody
ballads, instrumental improvs and lyrical vocals that
highlight Brandi’s smoky, ethereal voice.
The North Vancouver native found her musical footing
early in life, soaking up the jazz keyboards played by
her mother and observing the necessary disciplines that
go along with the craft. Brandi followed suit and studied
piano at the Royal Conservatory at age five, eventually
switching to upright at 13 and later receiving a
B.A. in jazz performance from Toronto’s Humber College.
Pursuing classical bass, as well, she was hired for
LISTEN
EQUIP
Brandi Disterheft, Blue
Canvas [2016, Justin
Time], Gratitude [2012,
Justin Time]; Oliver Jones
& Hank Jones, Pleased to
Meet You [2009, Justin
Time]
Basses 1920s Pfretzschner
carved e upright; Yamaha
Silent Bass; David Gage
Czech-Ease upright; 1981
fretless Fender Precision
Amps Acoustic Image
Coda; Phil Jones Double
Four Micro
Strings Thomastik-Infeld
Spirocore medium gauge;
Velvet Garbo gut
Other David Gage Realist
pickup; DPA d:vote
4099B Bass Mic
14 bassplayer.com / may2017