Tami Pallingston, bassist

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Originally from New Jersey, Tami is a classically trained musician. She began her career at age 15 as a violinist in Baroque ensembles and percussionist in community theater groups. Upon moving to California, she realized her love for the low end and took up the bass. She has studied bass with Michael Manring and percussion with internationally recognized steel drum master Eugene Novotney. She studied theory, arranging and composition at Humboldt State University and also worked as a recording engineer for the HSU Music Department.

Collaborations

Many singers and songwriters have sought Tami’s expertise as a supporting musician. Her superb reading and improvising skills make her a first call for many jazz gigs. She is the on-call bassist for many groups covering a wide range of styles. When not performing with Cuckoo’s Nest she can be seen and heard playing with various jazz ensembles including Dave Wilson Jazz Duo, Casa Blanca Jazz Trio, The Horn Band, The Owl & the Pussycat Orchestra, College of the Redwoods Jazz Orchestra, and various folk artists including Joanne Rand, Eileen Hemphill-Haley, Francine Allen and Calleaghn Kinnamon. Tami’s recording credits include Eileen Hemphill-Haley's Ordinary Life, William Maxwell's Cardinal Points and Copperwimmin's The Right to be Here.

Influences

"My influences include the late, great, Ray Brown as well as the alive and well funk master Flea. My greatest influences however are a few unknown greats right here in my own neighborhood - Shao Way Wu, Geoff Daugherty, Baron Wolfe, and Jerry Thompson."

Equipment

"I play a 1920's 5/8 Czech fully carved, flatback upright bass. I use Thomastick spirocore Solo strings which are meant to be tuned F#, B, E, A. I keep them in standard tuning which results in a soft, light and pliable feel on the fingers.

I prefer to play acoustic, but when amplification is needed I play through a Gallien-Krueger 400RB head and Mesa Boogie 2x 10 wedge cabinet, with a David Gage Realist pick up. When a PA is available, I play through a Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum Bass pre-amp. My axes include a 4 string Pementel electric upright, as well as several varieties of good ol 4 string electrics: Ibanez Soundgear 400, Fender short scale acoustic, Fender Precision, and a no name fretless."

Aside from teaching bass and percussion, Tami also runs her own Music Transcription Service providing customers with typesetting needs, transcription, transposition, arrangements and custom services.