Family Focus NOW OPEN! S Bass Grooves Local musician Jon Liebman shares knowledge in new book. M P hoto by Ran dy ZdroJ ews kl eeting Gene Simmons — the rock bassist, vocalist and founder of the musical group KISS — last month on a plane was a unique experience for Jon Liebman. He spoke with the Israeli performer — born Chaim Witz — in Hebrew and talked with him about the bass, something both men know well. Liebman, an award- winning bassist, corn- poser, arranger, author and educator from West Bloomfield, wrote the recently released Bass Grooves: The Ultimate Collection, a thorough reference of bass grooves in different genres, including Blues, Jazz, Rock, Funk, R&B, Reggae, Country and Latin. Jon Liebman David Letterman's bassist, Will Lee, who wrote the foreword, calls it the most important bass book since Standing in the Shadows of Motown, written about Motown Records session musicians. In addition to Bass Grooves, Liebman's four other method books — focusing on different styles of bass playing — sold more than 75,000 copies and have been translated into English, German, French and Japanese. All five books are published by Hal Leonard Corporation and are part of the Hal Leonard Bass Builders series. Liebman also is the author of a book of transcriptions of the music of fellow bassist Stuart Hamm. Holding both undergraduate and graduate degrees in studio music and jazz, Liebman has played electric bass guitar and acoustic upright bass for more than 30 years. He has performed in settings from nationally broadcast radio and TV shows to full-scale con- certs at New York's Madison Square Garden, L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium, Tokyo's Suntory Hall and bullrings in Central America. He has supplied the bass tracks for major recording projects for Ford, General Motors and the National Basketball Association. He performed with Broadway shows like Dreamgirls, Les Miserables, Fiddler on the Roof and Phantom of the Opera and with musical acts, including Amy Grant, the Drifters, the Fifth Dimension, Julio Iglesias, Cleo Laine, Jose Feliciano, Chita Rivera and Theodore Bikel. Liebman's arrange- ments have been performed on TV shows including The Tonight Show and The Late Show. As chairman/CEO of the Specs Howard School of Media Arts in Southfield, his highest priority remains his active involvement at the school and in higher education. He was appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm to the Michigan Higher Education Authority and by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson to the Oakland County Business Roundtable, Workforce and Education Committee. He serves as vice chairman of the Washington D.C.- based Career College Association. Last summer, Liebman launched the Web site www.forbassplayersonly.com . "I designed it as a resource for bass players who wanted bass news, forums, a calendar of bass events, bass player birthdays, new releases, reviews and other information," he said. Subscribers receive Liebman's "This Week in Bass Player History" e-mail. The site features bass books, CDs and DVDs and weekly interviews Liebman conducts with high-profile bass players, including those from Whitesnake, Kenny G, Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan and more. Don't look for a Gene Simmons inter- view, though, Liebman said, recalling that plane ride. "When I asked if I could inter- view him for my Web site, he said, 'I'm not a fan of bass players; even though he is one. After we got off the plane, I asked him, in Hebrew, why he doesn't like bass players. Without batting an eye, he answered in English that unless they're writing songs or singing, they're just in the background." Of course, Liebman takes issue with him and doesn't regard Simmons' remarks the"kiss of death:' For Bass Grooves: The Ultimate Collection and other books by Jon Liebman, go to www. forbassplayersonly.com. 2.00 10% off Total Food Bill Not valid with specials Not valid with any other offer With coupon exp 11/30/09 MB MI ME NMI =I NM =I off I UI. Total Food Bill Not valid with specials Not valid with any other offer With coupon exp 11/30/09 dam LEELIPM •Sandwiches, Burgers, Full Dinner Entree's, Pastas, Steaks, Pizza, Omelettes And some of the same great Leo's salads 40380 Grand River just west of Haggerty (Formerly Timbers) 248-615-211102 Open 7 Days for Lunch & Dinner WE'VE MOVED 2 DOORS DOWN! ca5zech2tan 6m rive allorth aRest4urant 1 0%off Total Bill DINE IN OR CARRYOUT Not good with any other offer 1 coupon per table • with coupon- Expires 11/30/09 •Featuring Authentic Chinese/Asian Cooking •Complete Lunch Starts at $6.55 •Children's Menu •Healthy, Low Fat, 'Sodium Free' Choices •Vegetarian Dishes 39470 14 Mile Rd. (corner of Hag!..;ettx in the Nek ■ berry Square Plaza). 248-960-7666 www.szechuanempire.com DON'T MISS THE HEALTH & FITNESS SECTION INSIDE THE JN THE LAST WEEK EVERY MONTH Cali 248.351.5107 for more information November 12 • 2009 59