Here you can see, who I am and what I do best! As a versatile session player I decided to make myself available to the "Universe" by which music speaks where words fail!
Marco Abbatecola
about me
This is not just a 'resume' of my career and the usual list of "what" and "where" about me; I would like to tell you who inpsired me and what makes bass playing my passion.
I was born in Italy near Rome where I lived till the age of 23. In fact,
my first music class was at school of music in Rome, called ST. Louise where I met
Gianfranco Gullotto,
my first teacher, who wrote the manual of the electric bass, a small bass guitar bible.
That was the time when I realised how important it was, and still is, to put time and energy
into studying music, theory and into practicing in a disciplined way to gain a proper sense of
achievement.
Even though I was in different bands playing the odd gig - only the study and practice combined with the live performances taught me the professionalism I was aiming to achieve.
When Gianfranco told me to listen to bass players like Stanley Clarke, Mitroslov Vitous, Alphonso
Johnson, Jaco Pastorious, Paul Jackson, my view towards bass playing changed completely as a new world
opened up to me. I fell totally in love with that new state of consciousness which allowed me to
progress and pursue this career with joy and fulfillment.
I suggest to any young bass player or musician from any music background to listen to
those I just mentioned.
Back in those days I played the Album "Black Market" of Weather Report, non stop all day for 365 days. I started listening to all different styles of music, so why not mention Bunny Brunnel, Jeff Berlin, Will Lee, Jimmy Haslip, Nathan East, Danny Wilson, Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller and one of the session players most wanted, Abraham Laboriel.
Before I moved to England, I was going from band to band or doing some session work here and there, when I met Marco Rossetti, a very talented guitarist working for the Italian National TV channel RAI1 orchestra. He loved my playing and we became friends and soon music partners of a project called SHOUT; he also introduced me to a higher level of professionalism where I could, finally, put into work all I had learnt so far.
The experience of working with such a large group of musicians taught me that you cannot afford to make mistakes or do re-takes, as far as reading is concerned. This applies in any session work, believe me! I was also not giving as much attention as I should to the equipment I was using, another important lesson I learnt when entering the world of "session work". Considering, for example, how to get the right sound in different contexts or styles of music or what effects are available, what pick ups are more versatile and more important, what bass guitars...
I obviously went to countless numbers of shops to play every bass guitar and amp I could. I even built my own bass at the Douglas factory in Rome, I still have it, a fantastic 4 string active long scale with 2 emg pick ups.
One day, in a little recording studio called M3, I came acrosss the American Fender Jazz 1978 ... well, that was the day I understood that this model is a true miracle! I felt its immediate attraction and couldn't stop playing it.
As far as my own equipment is concerned - I am using the SWR Amp though I would prefer the SVTII Ampeg as it is one of the best and "heaviest". I also use the so called Trace Elliot "donkies" which are very solid and last forever.
In 1986 I came to the UK for the first time but didn't feel like staying, as I had too many projects on the go back home. It was 1992 when I moved to UK and stayed to play the field. I have probably attended every single jam in London where I met many talented musicians whose musicianship was of a very high standard.
I toured Europe with Steve Zee and Mick Marino, one of the best drummers I met during my music career (I think he is now teaching at the drumtech in London) - played with Marcus Malone, the fantastic Stuart Dixon on guitar, Angel 15, I ran a jam in Finsbury Park for a few years with Nick Fusco, another talented guitarist. I was starting to get my session work studio up at MILO studios in Marble Arch.
I attended music colleges here in the UK and my knowledge of music was expanding rapidly.
I won't mention all the groups and artists I've worked with since then, as I would probably bore you...
A new world opened up to me again, when I explored the American Latin and Brazilian culture and music.
Kiko Cowan was the first who invited me to play salsa in his band and boy, that was a challenge! I thought, I could
just grab my bass and play it, and to some extent I could, but salsa is a different language (clave), it has to be learnt
before you can start speaking it. I decided to visit Cuba and learn as much as I could. Back in England, I played for Yes
Brazil, Fred Martins from Rio De Janeiro, and Tropicalia, in my experience the top Latin Brazilian act in the UK, and more.
Apart from playing - I have also taught and run workshops for students in year 7/8 and a few for adults.
I'd like to finish by saying that whatever you choose to do in life — do it with love and passion!
Sessions
I am availabe for studio or live session work. I am not a classical trained musician, I play any style of music from rock and pop, funk-jazz, bossanova, samba or/and salsa. I rely on charts or mp3/CD's for learning material. I've been asked to write bass lines from scratch on many occassions or collaborating in compositions and it always worked well. I consider long term commitments if it is within professional work agreements. I can travel world-wide if required. For live performance I use an SWR 250 or 350 Hartke Amp with 4 by 10" Trace Elliot or Hartke speakers. I use a Musicman Stingray 4/5 strings bass guitar, I also use a zoom B2 as effects pedal. If you would like to know more - please fill in the ocntact form below or feel free to ring me. As member of the Musician's Union I generally follow their lead in current rates.
Workshops
In the last 10/15 years "community music" has been recognised as a good vehicle to reduce crime and to help minority groups find new values in their life.
With 18 years of professional experience gained within the music industry, I feel the time is right to share my knowledge with others in communities and schools, helping to achieve a brighter, healthier future for one and all. My main purpose is to inmprove communication, interaction and self-expression, encouraging musical excellence and strengthening role of music in community developement.
My workshops are aimed at providing opportunities to learn the art of musical composition in the rock and pop genre, to have fun in the experience, to make a commitment to that learning and to use the knowledge as a "stepping stone" to an improved self, family and community. The courses will comprise of 10/12 two hours session per week with a final recording session at the end of the course. A CD of this final recording session will be made available to the participants.
My projects are suitable for schools, youth clubs, prisons and probation services, health centres and hospitals. I am also available for private tuition from beginners to advanced level.
