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COVER 43_1nw.indd 1 15/05/2009 14:42 Interview Dave Swift

Swinging the Blues Dave Swift As for Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Dave Swift has arguably the best gig in town, performing alongside some of the biggest names in popular music. Nick Wells gets the full story...

longside the numerous and sight-read helped me ease my first couple of years that’s all I ‘We played ‘Aint Nobody’ and ‘I’m multi-platinum way in.’ Dave persevered on the played. I remember doing a gig for Every Woman’ with Chaka Khan that he has recorded with London live circuit for two years Amnesty International where we and I remember thinking “those AJools Holland and his before getting the opportunity to had to play with Lisa Stansfield, two songs are going to be pretty Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Dave audition for Jools Holland. ‘I was Des’ree, Rick Astley, Sam Brown tough to play on double bass so Swift’s regular radio and television mostly doing jazz gigs on double and Mica Paris. It was mostly I finally convinced Jools to let appearances on shows like ‘Later… bass at venues like the 606 Club in pop stuff where the original bass me play the songs on bass guitar, with Jools Holland’ have seen him Chelsea, the Bull’s Head in Barnes part had either been played on a and from then on he agreed that share the stage with the likes of Al and the Jazz Cafe in Camden Town, keyboard or on a bass guitar that me alternating between the two Jarreau, George Benson, Chaka amongst others,’ recalls Dave, ‘and I had a low B string. I thought the instruments was the right thing Khan, Sir Paul McCartney, Eric eventually ended up working with obvious thing to do was to leave to do and a key element to the Clapton, Paul Weller, BB King a sax player called Phil Veacock my double bass at home and use bands identity. When we started and literally hundreds of other who had already been playing my 6-string Ken Smith. Bearing backing different artists on various international stars. The versatility with Jools for a year or so. Jools in mind this was a new high end TV shows I was able to show my that’s required to cater for these had been using Pino Palladino instrument with an unusually wide versatility on both instruments and star guests, both in terms of and then Keith Wilkinson, (the neck and active electronics, and as I think Jools began to realise that he technique and general musicality, bassist from Squeeze), but now he far as Jools was concerned, had two had hired the right guy.’ is something that Dave prides wanted someone who could play strings too many, he really didn’t Later…With Jools Holland has himself on, but his current itinerary the double bass, so he asked Phil if want me to play it, and in the end I been running since 1992 and with Jools is a far cry from his he knew anyone and I was asked had to adapt the original bass part continues to showcase a diverse early days in the capital. ‘When I to come and audition at his studio, so I could play it on the double mixture of live bands and guest moved to London in the late 80s Helicon Mountain, in South East bass and it all worked out fine. It artists who often require a stand-in I had to start from scratch,’ says London. That was in September of took me a while to understand backing band or rhythm section Dave, ‘and really rely on word 1991, which is when it all started.’ where Jools was coming from but I that Jools supplies courtesy of his of mouth. I knew a guy called Having equal facility on both eventually came to realise he didn’t Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. ‘I will Paul Weimar (aka ‘Shilts’) and he the electric and double bass allows want us to be a generic TV house be at home and Jools’ secretary will used to take me out to gigs and Dave to provide the right timbre band, he wanted the band to have call and say “BB King is on the show introduce me to musicians, but for the various guest artists that its own personality and character.’ next week, can you make it over to I soon realised that a lot of the frequent the Jools Holland roster, Jools Holland’s Big Band, as it was the BBC and play bass?” It’s all very players that were doing well down but having initially been hired known then, made its television laid back and a bit like somebody here were London born and bred for his ability on the double bass, debut in the early 90s appearing as inviting you down the pub for a so I didn’t want to come across as persuading Jools to accommodate the house band on the Channel 4 pint! It’s all very quaint and very this pushy young bassist from the the electric bass guitar was a show Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush, British. And that’s Jools: he wants Midlands, barging my way into tougher proposition than he had as well as on Later…With Jools to create this pleasant and relaxed their well-established music scene, anticipated. ‘I originally got the gig Holland on the BBC. It was during atmosphere for all concerned.’ but the fact that I was a bass player because I could play the double this period that Dave finally got his Having to share the stage with who doubled, could improvise bass,’ explains Dave, ‘and for the chance to revisit the bass guitar. the likes of Al Green, Bono and

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Photography by © Eckie 14/05/2009 11:36 Interview Dave Swift

Dave outside Holland’s studio in South East London, Helicon Mountain

Lionel Richie might seem like a career highlights it’s performances up and our trombonist started can ask for an autograph, but at dream gig, but from the rhythm with the likes of Chaka Khan, Al playing the piano and singing at the other times it just isn’t appropriate. section’s point of view it can also Jarreau, Lionel Ritchie, George top of his voice in a very drunken Over the years it’s something that be hard work. ‘We don’t get much Benson and Michael McDonald fashion. None of us realised that you a get a feeling for. I am such rehearsal time,’ explains Dave. that spring to mind. ‘These were he was directly beneath George’s a big fan of Al Jarreau and David ‘We might get given a CD to the people I was listening to when bedroom! So the next morning Sanborn that I just had to ask them learn a week before the show, but I first started playing bass’, Dave George came down looking a bit to sign a few covers from my sometimes we only get a couple of explains, ‘and that’s the reason why worse for wear and starts asking, collection, which they did willingly. days. It’s the same with the radio those performances will always “Who the bloody hell was playing It’s important for us to make the shows: they are great fun, but we stand out for me. We recently that piano until the early hours? individual artist feel comfortable don’t always get to hear the tracks played with Booker T and the I couldn’t get any bloody sleep!” in unfamiliar surroundings, which beforehand. We might only have 10 MGs, and Martha Reeves and I remember thinking “I wonder is a big part of our job. It’s not just minutes to learn the song while the Vandellas. Being on stage how much my silence is worth!” ’ about being a qualified musician. the artist is sitting there! It’s not with Kylie Minogue and Paul Since getting the gig with Jools This gig has taken all of our social nerve-racking but you have to pull McCartney for 2007’s Hootenanny back in 1991, Dave has found skills up a notch or two.’ your socks up and get on with it.’ was another highlight.’ himself in several notable situations Having the facility to play both The ever-growing list of stars Speaking of Sir Paul McCartney, that are completely unique to the electric and double bass in a that Dave has accompanied as a Dave is one of the very few people Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues range of different styles remains a member of the Rhythm & Blues to have appeared on stage with Orchestra. ‘We were the house major factor in Dave’s success with Orchestra is simply staggering Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr band at the G8 conference in the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, (a full list can be found on Dave’s and , but it’s his a few years ago and but choosing the right bass for a website www.daveswiftbass. encounter with Harrison that is afterwards we got to meet Bill and particular artist is not always an com). In fact, it is far easier to say the most memorable. ‘George Hilary Clinton and Cherie and easy decision. ‘I’ve got so many who Dave hasn’t played with than chose the village of Port Merrion, Tony. We played at the Millennium instruments now,’ Dave explains. attempt to name all of those he has. in North Wales, to host his 50th Dome on Millennium night in ‘I’ve got 35 bass guitars, two double ‘Someone asked me the other day birthday party,’ he recalls, ‘and at front of the Queen – the Hooters basses and eight electric upright if there was anyone who I would the time Jools was interviewing the are always really good fun. We have basses, and it’s sometimes hard still like to play with, and it’s getting chaps for anthology, also played in Rochester Cathedral, to make the right choice. When harder and harder to answer that and it was George’s turn, so George and Prince Charles was in the I played with Al Jarreau we did question, but I would still love invited us all down and we had this audience and we all got to meet a song called ‘Last Night’. The to play with Stevie Wonder, KD great party. We got down there him after the concert, which was original bass line had been played Lang and Alison Goldfrapp. I’ve and spent the whole with quite an experience. Even though it on a keyboard, and I just couldn’t got this fantastic collection of George and his family and friends. did feel like we were all standing in decide what to use. In the end I transcriptions at home: these entire We set the instruments up in the a police identity parade!’ decided to use my fretless Precision box files containing all the bass corner and he got his ukulele out Another important vocational and an octave pedal to try and lines to the songs that I’ve played and we played all night. When aspect of Dave’s work with Jools recreate a synth type sound. The throughout my career. It’s a great George, along with the majority is knowing how to behave around recording went really well and it reminder of who I have worked of his guests, finally went to bed in such big-name stars. ‘There are was a real career highlight for me, with.’ When asked to recall a few the early hours a few of us stayed some people who you feel you but watching it back the following

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Dave Swift_2nw.indd 3 14/05/2009 11:36 Interview Dave Swift

day I realised that it was such an intimate, acoustic setting, I really should have used my double bass and ditched the octave pedal!’ Despite owning an extensive collection of basses, that some musicians would only keep for display purposes or under the bed, Dave insists on keeping all of his basses set up and ready to use at any time should the gig require it. ‘I have to be a bit of a chameleon,’ he tells us. ‘I have to play the double bass, or an electric double bass if feedback is an issue, and other times a fretless is a better choice. I’ve had to play with a pick for people like Belinda Carlisle, Kylie, Mika and . I actually really enjoy playing with a pick, in fact, I started out playing

Tina KorhonenTina / Retna Pictures bass with one. For other songs I will need a 5-string with a low B. The 5-string that I often use with Jools is a semi-acoustic, fretless A Word From Jools Holland bass that was made by Rob Allen What makes Dave Swift the right man for the job? in California. They usually come with a low B, but mine has a high C string instead. This allows me hat’s great about Dave is his ability to How important is Dave’s ability to cater for to play higher register walking different guest artists? switch from playing a staccato bass bass lines in lower positions on line on the electric bass to playing It’s important that he is able to bring different tones the fingerboard. Jools did ask me something much more expressive and colours for the different people that we play when I joined the band not to onW the double bass. If we are playing one of Rico’s with. When somebody says they want to switch key spend too much time playing in the (trombone player Rico Rodriguez) ska tracks, I he can take it up a semitone or whatever, it doesn’t same register as his left hand on might need a certain bass tone for that Jamaican matter; he can play it wherever you want it. We the piano, so this bass is ideal. The style, and Dave has the ability to do all of that. I will have just done a record with Ruby Turner called ‘The Rob Allen bass is equipped with sometimes ask him to skip like , or Informer’, and the title track has a really interesting flatwound strings and when muted sound like Israel Crosby on one of those early 1930s bass line that makes the song come alive, and on with the side of my right hand and records, so he has to have a lot of reference points other tracks Dave plays the double bass, which gives plucked with my thumb provides when switching between those worlds and then be it a completely different tone. From my point of view a sound not disimilar to an upright creative on the songs that I have written.’ as a bandleader, particularly if we are working with a bass, which really appeals to Jools, guest artist, it’s fantastic because I know that when and now I can probably play as fast How does Dave’s playing style compare to other we start playing Dave will have learnt the music and with my thumb as I can with my bass players you have worked with? pinned down the bass line. The band has a huge two fingers! Having said all that, my I’ve worked with a lot of fantastic bass players, like repertoire and my live set is never the same, but at true passion is for the double bass. I have played both instruments Pino Palladino, who is a magical player, and Dave the root of everything is the bass and the drums, for the same length of time, but I has that same lyrical beauty. I remember working everything else can be built up from there. It’s like the just have a stronger a connection with , who is quite good on the double foundations of a building and it’s the most essential with the double bass. The Jools gig bass, as he is on the electric, and Dave’s like that, but part of the orchestra. for me is about versatility, which is he really is equally as fluent on both. When he first something that I thrive on.’ joined us he developed a playing style for me, which Are first impressions important when working Those who have witnessed Jools involves playing with his thumb and using very with different guest artists? Holland and his Rhythm & Blues slightly pushed and staccato bass notes when he is ‘There are 18 of us in the band, and if we have Orchestra playing live will know all walking – if we were going into the boogie woogie backing vocals there are even more, so people are too well how Dave’s fundamental zone, let’s say – which gives a very distinct sound coming into a whole new situation where the thing approach to bass playing serves that’s completely different to playing with your that they love the most, their own music, is going as the rhythmic foundation for fingers, which is more legato. It creates a false sound to be played by all these different people and they the entire band, as Dave explains: that’s almost like a double bass that hasn’t been don’t know what it is going to sound like. So first ‘I’ve never had any aspiration to recorded very well in a small studio, but of course we impressions are very important, and Dave is always be a great virtuoso or a solo artist. are playing a big hall, and that sound allows my left able to make people laugh and feel comfortable, and All of those things are great, but it hand a lot of freedom on the piano. Dave has got this physically he is very big so if they get really nasty he just isn’t me at all. I like doing my one bass guitar, which has these nylon strings - it was can just put them in a box somewhere!’ job and doing it well. I’d rather not draw attention to myself, and that’s fretless – but Dave made it sound just like a double the main reason I haven’t been bass, and I remember Van Morrison asking me how The Informer by Jools Holland (with Ruby tempted to form my own band. he made it sound like that. And the truth of it is, he Turner) is out now. Visit www.joolsholland.com A friend once described me as has got lots of different basses, but it’s Dave’s way of for upcoming live dates. an industrial bassist and I wasn’t playing that makes it sound the way it does.’ too sure how to take that at first, but after looking back over my

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career I think that’s absolutely happen and get the job done.’ accurate. I don’t think there is Dave has remained a key player anything bad about that.’ When in Jools Holland and his Rhythm asked to summarise his role with & Blues Orchestra since 1991 the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, and currently performs up to 100 Dave refers to a quote from Th e shows a year with the acclaimed Bass Player’s Handbook by Greg group, but the rewards have made Mooter (Berklee Press). Th e quote him the envy of bass players from reads: ‘Th e pros are not necessarily all around the globe. ‘Jools has said prepared for any situation, but this himself,’ he tells us. ‘It’s like the rather are willing to prepare for Count Basie and Duke Ellington any situation.’ Dave continues: ‘I bands: the reason why we work so am very honest about my abilities: much is that you simply have to I know I’m not a fully dedicated just keep the band going. You can’t hard-core jazzer, or a virtuoso expect everyone to stick together soloist, but like the quote says, if for two or three gigs a month, so I had to step vaguely into those Jools needs to provide that kind roles I would at least do my very of work. As a musician this is the best to prepare in advance and closest thing to having a day job, attempt to carry off the job as but if that’s the case then it’s the Dave onstage with Kylie Minogue and Sir Paul McCartney for 2007’s Hootenanny convincingly as possible to make it best day job in the world’.

ROB ALLEN POLYTONE OVATION WESTONE ROLAND MUSICMAN DEEP 5 CONTEMPO B MAGNUM RAIL BASS G-77 CUTLASS ‘This was custom-made ‘I’ve got a Polytone ‘I’ve got these Ovation ‘I’ve got a Westone ‘I’ve got some of those ‘Musicman brought out for me. It’s strung E - C Contempo, which is Magnum basses that Rail bass that has tuned early Roland G-77 bass the Cutlass in the early with independent ultra rare, and most were made in the 70s. steel rails that join guitar synthesisers that 80s. The Cutlass I was volume controls over people recognise They look like someone the body section and you used to see all over like a Stingray, and the the G & C strings. We Polytone for making has gone to a scrapyard a sliding pickup that Top Of The Pops back Cutlass II was more like did a couple of things amps, but they did and grabbed a load changes the tone; not in the 80s. They didn’t a Sabre. I had a Cutlass with Van Morrison and make a bass and a of bits and put them many people like them, really track all that well, I and I loved it, but for he commented on it. guitar, which is pretty all together, but I love but I thought I would but as bass guitars they some reason I got rid of Even Prince Charles rare. I’ve still got my them for that reason. It’s fi nd a home for it! I still feel great and are really it - I can’t remember for asked me about that original Polytone Mini almost like they are so need to get a black one, nice to play – even the the life of me why! Since bass when he saw us at Brute III combo that I unloved I want to adopt of course, but that’s on Star Trek ones with the then I have bought Rochester Cathedral!’ had when I was a kid.’ them! I’ve got 4!’ the shopping list!’ futuristic stabiliser arm!’ both a Cutlass 1 and II.’ BOOGIE WOOGIE BASSES Regular viewers of Later...with Jools Holland will a second hand bass. I wanted to buy a bass from The majority of the basses I’ve got are not your have seen Swift call upon his Music Man Bongo a shop that was all shiny and pristine. It wasn’t traditional collectors items; they are all quite and his ‘68 Fender Precision in recent episodes. until the mid 90s, when I had been with Jools quirky, but still playable, and I always make sure Despite owning over 40 diff erent basses, Swift for a couple of years, that I decided I wanted a they can be used at a gig. Though if I turned up insists he didn’t set out to become a collector. vintage instrument. So I bought an old Jazz bass at a gig with my Westone Rail bass or the Roland ‘People were always going on about old Fenders that I found in a shop window in Edinburgh. G-77 I don’t think Jools would be too thrilled! and , but it never occurred to me to buy Then I got an old and I was hooked. With Jools you have to make sure it looks right.’

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