John Patitucci is one of the finest and most versatile bassists in the world on upright and electric bass. John has a recording and performance resume that could easily be transcribed into a book – he has played throughout the world with his own band and with jazz luminaries Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Stan Getz, Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Freddie Hubbard, Tony Williams, Hubert Laws, Mulgrew Miller, James Williams, and many more. He has played with pop and Brazilian heavyweights including Sting, Aaron Neville, Natalie Cole, Carole King, Milton Nascimiento, Astrud and Joao Gilberto, Airto and Flora Purim. A truly well rounded player whose legacy will stand the test of time.
So one day, back when we were all crammed into one small shop in downtown Mystic, CT, Josh came out back and says, “Gary, John Patitucci is out front and wants to talk to you.”
Gary, “C’mon, really?!”
Gary and John hit it off and in no time we were getting a Upton Bass Hybrid ready for John to use as a teaching bass at the City College of New York.
John continues to play our basses and often stops by the barn to put our most recent instruments through their paces. We most recently teamed up with him on a Fully Carved Brescian for his collaboration with the Foundacion Danilo Perez in Panama.
If you’ve come from the Upton Report to view the Danilo Perez video, I’m sorry to say NPR pulled it. I’m not sure why they would do that, but I’m looking for another link to it and I’ll repost as soon as I find it.
Sincerely,
Eric
