Ever since I was a child I’ve always been very attracted to melodies. Whether I hear Jeff Beck, a choir, an ocean or the wind, there’s always a melody in there… Carlos Santana

 

Anybody can play. The note is only 20 percent. The attitude of the mother****r who plays it is 80 percent… Miles Davis

 

Which brings us to Benny Rietveld, chosen by both Carlos and Miles to helm the bass chair on some of their most potent sides, and on stage.

 

Inspired by Chris Squire and Sir Paul, Santana musical director Benny Rietveld has been the longest tenured bassist in Carlos’ numerous collectives commencing with the album Spirits Dancing in the Flesh in 1990.

 

Following his studies at the Hawaii College of Music, and work with artists spanning The Crusaders, Richie Cole, Makoto Ozone, and Sheila E., Benny, among others, Benny anchored Miles Davis on his last major tour in ‘88 and remained with the jazz icon until 1990, waxing tracks that have been featured on various archival live and studio releases.

 

A composer, recording artist, film director, educator (Ben Rietveld Bass Essentials – Hot Licks) and producer, Rietveld waxed his lone solo slab Mystery of Faith in 2001 which features cameos from Carlos and Tom Coster.  Among Benny seminal sides include Miles Davis Around the World (1996); Santana Spirits Dancing in the Flesh (1990), Milagro (1992),  Supernatural (2000), Santana IV (2016); Santana / Isley Brothers  Power of Peace (2017),  and Cindy Blackman Another Lifetime (2010), to cite a select few.

 

Benny’s weapons of choice include MusicMan Sterling (four and five string), Lakeland 4-94, MTD 5 String, and an NS electric upright.

 

 

 

 

Benny Reitveld Sound & Vision:

 

Sheila E. “The Glamourous Life” https://youtu.be/KOoWMtxR8GQ

 

Miles: “Me & U” https://youtu.be/nHXm-_-LT0I

 

Live In Europe The Prince of Darkness https://youtu.be/VMTO0jPp2Z0

 

Benny and Carlos:

 

“Smooth” https://youtu.be/6Whgn_iE5uc

 

“Black Magic Woman” https://youtu.be/-2O81STmDGg

 

“Samba Pa Ti” https://youtu.be/3LIPKtZyX6M

 

Santana and The Isley Brothers:

 

“Are You Ready” https://youtu.be/lHK9vzhxxLE

 

“Higher Ground” https://youtu.be/_OmUIOAZqF8

 

 

He is the Chicago cat whom Gordon Sumner, the Stones, and Miles relied on to bring a fresh, funky veneer to their time-tested repertoire and latter-day canon.

Darryl “The Munch” Jones’ mastery of slap and fingerpicking styles abetted by his loyalty to the language of rhythm and blues affords him a unique stance among the legends he anchors – Jones knows his history and his employers sound all the better for it.

Though Stones sticklers oft deride Darryl’s three decade and counting tenure in the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band – nearly half their hallowed career – Jones, to my ears, serves the band well –quoting Bill Wyman’s
essential motifs with a decidedly crisp tone bolstered by buoyant harmonic embellishments. Hence the Rolling Stones gather (relatively) no moss into the 21st Century…

Dig Darryl soloing on “Miss You” https://youtu.be/YI-OzM0dy30

With Miles, Darryl was a catalyst – pushing Davis with his fierce grooves. Of course, Miles knew how to choose his bassists.

Dig Darryl on Miles’ “Decoy” https://youtu.be/DcewuivRsRM

With Sting, Jones freed the bassist to focus on his vocals and rhythm guitar playing while he afforded the ex-copper a strong funk foundation.

Dig Darryl slappin’ and dancin’ “If You Love Someone Set Them Free” https://youtu.be/LSGl3d4KOMk

Among Darryl’s choice of weapons include Fender Jazz, Fender Precision, Fender Mustang, and Lakeland, among many others. Daryl also started his own boutique instrument company, aptly named Jones Musical Instruments.

Dig Darryl talking Fender https://youtu.be/ltDn-gZzeF0

Darryl’s touring and session credits also include: The Darryl Jones Project, Stone Raiders, 3 Brave Souls, Steps Ahead, Peter Gabriel, Herbie Hancock, Madonna, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Bernard Fowler, Lenny White, John Scofield, and the Gil Evans Big Band, to cite a select few.

Keep up with Darryl at www.DarrylJones.Com

An acclaimed and prolific composer, bandleader, recording artist, collaborator, and sideman, British born Dave Holland was the bassist who anchored one of the greatest eras in modern music and jazz when he joined Miles Davis in 1968 at age 22.

His rhythmic and harmonic passages, rendered on upright and electric on such seminal Miles sides including In A Silent Way (1969), Bitches Brew (1969), and Miles at The Fillmore East (1970) among several archival releases, brilliantly tethered the artistry of Davis and his band; Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, Joe Zawinul, and Herbie Hancock.

Holland’s upright grooves in tandem with electric bassist Harvey Brooks on “Miles Runs the Voodoo Down,” “Spanish Key,” and “Pharaoh’s Dance” complete each other’s musical forays into the unknown.  The Gateway trio, with Holland, guitarist John Abercrombie and drummer Jack DeJohnette waxed several essential releases from 1975 through 1995.

His resume as a sideman is astounding – spanning Bonnie Raitt, Sir Roland Hanna, Joe Henderson, Sam Rivers, Joe Farrell, Dave Leibman, Barry Altschul, Billy Hart, Nick Brignola, Joe Lovano, and Kevin Eubanks to cite a very, very select few!

An indisputable jazz icon, Dave Holland’s solo canon spans over twenty albums, mostly on the ECM imprint, and runs the voodoo down from solo bass to big band!

Photos courtesy of Dave Holland Com

Dig Dave with Miles “Call It Anything” Isle of Wight 1970 https://youtu.be/qyJooHmRcdc

Dig the Dave Holland Big Band at JVC Jazz Festival 2005 https://youtu.be/7qj_DBfcbaw

Dig Dave in the Gateway Trio with Jack DeJohnette and John Abercrombie Live 1985 https://youtu.be/Y1P4E2bvSLM