JAMES BLENNERHASSETT IS AN IRISH SESSION BASSIST AND COMPOSER.
As a Bass Guitarist for hire I perform, record and tour. I also provide professional bass recordings from my own studio. And through my training business Blenntech.com I provide Cubase and Dorico online training for anyone who wants to learn how to record their own music.
I toured for many years with great artists such as Mary Black, Green on Red, Paul Brady, Brian Kennedy, Andy White, Maura O’Connell, Frances Black, Kieran Goss and Gilbert O’Sullivan. I have also had the pleasure to record and tour with The Rolling Stones, Marianne Faithful, Elvis Costello and Eros Ramazotti and many others.
I have released three instrumental albums ‘END OF A LONGER DAY’, ‘A SMALL SHADOW’ and ‘EN SPLENDO ISOLECO’
And in conjunction with my sister Susan we have written a series of audiobooks called ‘THE TODALIE STORIES’ the 1st of which, ‘Laylianas Tale’, is available in an abridged version on Spotify or wherever you listen.
Contact me today for bookings, bass recordings or online music recording training. Let’s make music!
The inside track…
How long have you been playing?
I have been playing Bass since the age of 12, my father played double bass and my mother plays violin and piano.
What was the first concert you ever went to?
Handel’s Messiah in Sligo, I think I was 9 or 10. Unbelievable, I had never heard so many people singing together before.
What gear do you use?
I play a German double bass c1850. I also play Dingwall and Sandberg basses and a Chapman NS Stick. I use PJB by Phil Jones Pure Sound Bass amplification and Darkglass pedals. I exclusively use Elixir Bass Strings.
Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?
Ron Carter, Stanley Clarke, Lee Sklar, James Jamerson, Carol Kaye, Chris Squire, Mike Rutherford.
Are you in a band?
I toured for many years with Mary Black, Green on Red, Paul Brady, Brian Kennedy, Andy White, Maura O’Connell, Frances Black, Kieran Goss and Gilbert O’Sullivan. I am mainly a session player and have played on too many albums to list here. I try to play in two shows every year to keep up the sight reading chops and because I enjoy it.
I used to play with the Conquerors doing mainly theatre shows, the annual Irish all star cruise and corporate events/weddings. After several productive years I moved on to play Bass guitar and Double Bass with rising young Scottish country singer Lisa Mc Hugh, with Ray Mc Loughlin on piano, Colm Mc Lean on guitar and Robbie Casserly on drums. Hot band!
I decided in January’13 to concentrate on writing for the Chapman NS Stick and to play freelance again and so left the Lisa Mc Hugh band. I then played a number of live concerts with Frances Black, singer / songwriter Louise Killeen and have toured with the great Daniel O’Donnell. I am currently playing with a very talented singer / songwriter, Derek Ryan.
What’s the biggest audience you ever performed to? What’s the smallest?
Zero to Hero!
You’re stuck on a desert island and only get to bring one album with you. What do you pick?
Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem. I first heard it performed in Southwark Cathedral, London. Probably the most moving live concert I have ever been lucky enough to experience.