Mainly known for his deft skills with the double bass, Dave Chamberlain lets his guitar prowess grab the spotlight on his trio's latest album, On the Back Foot. Together with saxophonist Dave O'Higgins, they produce a collection of stellar instrumentals that define class and elegance. But for Chamberlain, it's an opportunity to renew his love for the guitar, which he had once given up on. “I progressed much more rapidly on the double bass than the guitar," Chamberlain explained. “Along with the increased opportunities for performing in a range of different classical ensembles, this meant that the double bass became my natural choice of instrument for serious study when I commenced my music degree. Thus, when I came to London to study music at Goldsmiths College, the guitar went back into its case and remained there for more than 10 years."
Although Chamberlain has had an off and on relationship with the guitar, his affection for jazz has been constant, rooted in his youth. “My first exposure to jazz was playing in a traditional jazz band at the age of 14. I didn't know anything about the style and used a bass guitar, playing all the wrong notes and lines," Chamberlain recalled. “This experience didn't really turn me onto jazz as such. However, a year later, I saw a documentary about Django Reinhardt that absolutely blew me away. My mother bought me a CD of Django, which I instantly set about listening to and transcribing, not realizing that that was actually the way to learn jazz. She also bought me a live CD of Wes Montgomery, about whom I had heard from the liner notes to a Ronny Jordan album, and a compilation of jazz guitar greats. At around the same time I was also exposed to Charlie Parker and Dave Brubeck."
Despite the emphasis on guitar with On the Back Foot, Chamberlain has no plans on giving up the double bass—at least not yet. “I'm not sure where my guitar journey will take me, or even whether it will take me away from playing the bass altogether, but I know that I am enjoying every exciting minute of it," Chamberlain revealed. “I'm still very much engrossed in developing my guitar skills and consider it a highly rewarding and engaging work in progress. Whereas on the bass I am always a sideman, the guitar affords the opportunity to be the leader."
Although Chamberlain has had an off and on relationship with the guitar, his affection for jazz has been constant, rooted in his youth. “My first exposure to jazz was playing in a traditional jazz band at the age of 14. I didn't know anything about the style and used a bass guitar, playing all the wrong notes and lines," Chamberlain recalled. “This experience didn't really turn me onto jazz as such. However, a year later, I saw a documentary about Django Reinhardt that absolutely blew me away. My mother bought me a CD of Django, which I instantly set about listening to and transcribing, not realizing that that was actually the way to learn jazz. She also bought me a live CD of Wes Montgomery, about whom I had heard from the liner notes to a Ronny Jordan album, and a compilation of jazz guitar greats. At around the same time I was also exposed to Charlie Parker and Dave Brubeck."
Despite the emphasis on guitar with On the Back Foot, Chamberlain has no plans on giving up the double bass—at least not yet. “I'm not sure where my guitar journey will take me, or even whether it will take me away from playing the bass altogether, but I know that I am enjoying every exciting minute of it," Chamberlain revealed. “I'm still very much engrossed in developing my guitar skills and consider it a highly rewarding and engaging work in progress. Whereas on the bass I am always a sideman, the guitar affords the opportunity to be the leader."
