IntellectualMusician.com

When we think of great bass players we only mention the players of the male persuasion. There are many great female bassist who have carved their path into music history. With this interview I like introduce one of those female greats.
Ladies and gentlemen ………. Madame Double Z

Lizz Chisholm a.k.a. Double Z is a self contained powerful multi-instrumentalist, soulful singer, writer and performer. With Her first CD “IN Z MOOD” (Quest), features her brand of bold, sexy, hard-driving funk she calls “Strip Hop.” Double Z uniqueness is her combination of a hot, sexy look with world-class musicianship for which she is widely known and respected worldwide.

Coming out of Jamaica Queens along with artists such as Najee, Omar Hakim and Lenny White, she is credited by legendary Bassist/ Producer Marcus Miller as being a major influence and inspiration. She has toured and /or recorded with a number of major artists such as rap pioneers Grand Master Melle Mel & the Furious Five, Al B. Sure, Luther Vandross and most recently with Kid Creole & the Coconuts and Zhane.

As of this date, Double Z is stepping out front and taking center stage with her “Strip-Hop” Show, commanding and receiving your full attention and respect that she so rightly deserves.

During interviewing I found her to be very direct, tough and to the point. A very strong minded person. These characteristics are sometimes must for female musicians such as Double ZZ to survive in the business of music. Knowing who you are, what you want, and not settling for anything less but the best for yourself.

I thought it would be ideal to ask ZZ some bass-ic questions that every true bass player would like an answer to.

Kenn: How would you describe yourself as a bass player? Who is Double ZZ?

ZZ: With out any shadow of a doubt, I am one solid pocket, funky -ass bass player. PERIOD! I know what to do and exactly when to do it. I speak when it’s my time to speak. I’m really big on playing the exact bass-line to recordings if I’m playing cover material. And I must have a tight ass drummer to keep up with me. I like drummers who listen and play with the bass patterns. That’s what makes any unit tight right off the jump. Drummers with ears are my best friends! I’m kinda demanding on my drummers.
My main style of music is funk, but I’m well known in the R&B world as well as the Hip-Hop world.

Kenn: Who are your biggest Influences
ZZ: My biggest influence was Larry Graham but James Jamerson had me by the throat too! They’re are a lot of young bass-player that I like now! They’re church boys and play some great stuff!

Kenn: There will always be those unknown greats! So how do you prepare for a tours and session?
ZZ: Again, as with any gig, I prepare by knowing the material inside out! I listen to it in my car for at least a week before I even attempt to play it!
I sing the bass lines then play them. I know every one can’t sing but it helps you know the rhythm of the line before you actually play it.
What also helps me focus is knowing that I’m getting that check at the end of the hit! (Laugh)

Kenn: I feel you on that. Some gigs are just about the money. Get it done, get paid.
I remember sometime back we were talking about the basses you have and use. Could you tell my readers a little about “The Double ZZ Bass Collection”?

ZZ: I use three out of seven basses primarily for gigs and they are:
1.My Spector NS2 (neck-thru) custom hot pink stain job over curly maple wood. This bass is a percision-jazz set up.

2. My Spector NS-2A (bolt-on neck) sunburst stain. Jazz set up. Both basses have EMG pickups. This bass is the fattest sounding bass known to man (and woman for that matter!) I endorse Spector Basses.

3. My ESP custom 5 string designed by me. This bass is absolutely gorgeous to look at! The front of the bass displays my logo airbrushed so beautifully. That the logo design is perfectly intact (Including airbrushing the pickups for a perfect look!) My name painted in script (hot-pink paint,of course) on the back of the bass. Again a precision setup. This bass kicks all kinds of ass!
I endorse ESP Guitars also.

And then there is my pre-CBS Fender Jazz bass that is truly Larry Grahamn-ified in sound.

I’ve played some MusicMan basses that were soooo funky by themselves, that I stayed in the music store playing it for hours!

All of my basses are the best for me, which is why I own them and love them.

Kenn: Yeah, I’m a Fender/ Music Man player myself. There is nothing like them especially the older models. So what rigs do you use live and in the studio?

ZZ: My rig(s)(and since I endorse Hartke Systems)are a few.
For almost all my hits I use two 2/10 XL cabinets,with the Hartkes 4000 head. For all of my basses this rig gives me clean, full range bass. All the highs,mids and lows are very present!I I can separate the cabinets and go stereo also!
On some gigs I use my Hartke 4/10XL from back in the day. I also use the Hartke 3500 head with this set up. Awesome sound!
I never get to use my Hartke 4.5(s) I have two. They’re probably the best bass cabinets I’ve ever heard. You feel the ground shake!!! Das’ da way I like it!

On the floor I use one stomp box. It’s a unit called the Deep-Impact. Not many people have it or have even heard of it!

I have several tuners, some rack mount some just floor tuners.

In the studio, I have the Line6 Bass Pod Pro. That’s really all I need. I make it do what it do baby. I’m more experimental in the studio since it’s in my house. I make sounds with bass by doing some unordinary things to them then sample those sounds and build the song! Listen to “Back 2 Bass-Sicks” on my MYSpace page. All the instruments are bass guitar except the hi-hat and crash symbol. Sometimes I’ll set up my small rig and mic it for that true Double-Z sound. Believe me, it’s one of a kind!

Kenn: What are you doing nowadays? Do you have any new CD’s coming out?

ZZ: I’m doing anything that pays me my worth(smile)!I work every week and week -end>Private parties and some corporate functions,I was the Headliner of a club in NY city’s Greenwich Village called THe Groove for the past years, with my band Double-Z and Just 4 Sex.
Just finished a mini tour with new comer Lis Withers (live Comcast TV taping).

The only CD still available over the internet is my CD on Qwest/Reprise label “IN Z MOOD”. This CD showcases all that I do. On this CD I played all instruments, sang all the vocals-lead and backing, wrote all the jams except one (Let’s Get Serious) and co- produced it. You can download some cuts from it on my MYSpace page.

Kenn: I know this is a typical question, but I only ask it of the best player. How would you like to be remembered?

ZZ: I want to be remembered as a person who was very loyal to her peeps. Who always shot straight from the hip, but knew how to make ya feel what ever it was I needed you to feel at that time!
As a bass player, I will be remembered as the consummate Pro. That says it all.

Kenn: You have truly made your mark in the bass world. No doubt about! What were some of your shining moments as a player or artist?

ZZ: WOW,There’s been a few and they still keep coming! When I walked into a Tower records store and the guy who puts out the CD’s on the shelf recognized me and asked for my autograph. And when it happened again in Germany and again in England. Plus seeing my own little sleeve in the counter with Double-Z on it! Man, that was crazy! Hearing my single on the radio had to be the next best. And when strangers tell me they have my CD.

Kenn: Tells about some of the great gigs you done. You know, the ones you will always remember and what you would consider the “Dream Gig” to be?

ZZ: Jeez, I’ve had a lot of really great gigs. I toured with everyone from Grand Master Flash and the Furious 5, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Al B. Sure, Eugene Wilde, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Zane, D-Train,Debarge, P-Funk All-Stars, To say the least. I’ve been on some massive stages in front of thousands of people. That’s the high of my life!
The dream gig for me would have been my own tour if my record company had done there job! Nuff said……

Kenn: What are your views of the music scene today?

ZZ: See,I really dig what’s happening today! I’m sick and tired of all the old school stuff cause …damn, I played most of it with a lot of the artist that made it. Plus at gigs everybody plays the same old stuff! I’m in with the new!!!
Kenn: As we come to the end I would like to express my deepset gratudie to you for taking the time for this interview. As always it has been a joy talking with you. anda honor knowing you. In closing, to help up and coming players can you tells us what you feel is the most important thing a bass player should know.

ZZ: First and foremost, your function in the unit you’re playing in. Don’t be trying’ to play like Jaco if you’re in a Blues Band! Play what the gig call for.
Second, know your stuff. Don’t half step by playing what you think it is! Do your homework. Many bass lines make the song what it is.
Be professional at rehearsals and gigs by not noodling Jaco lines when everyone’s stopped playing and are trying to talk down a part. That’s really annoying! Third, work on how to get your sound no matter what rig you’re playing on. On most tours you don’t get what you want, so make that other stuff work!

more articles by Kenn Smith

• What do you Look for in a Bass Player?
• The Working Class (Part 2)
• The Working Musician: Buying Gear; Do’s and Don’ts
• The Working Class: How to Become a Working Musician