Solo Bass Competition Set for October

Coastal Carolina University welcomes internationally celebrated panelists and competitors to the Bass Extremes International Contemporary Bass Competition on Oct. 7 in Wheelwright Auditorium on the campus of Coastal Carolina University near Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Open to contestants of all ages, this competition is designed to discover the bassists who are pushing the envelope of this relatively young instrument, exploring and inventing new techniques that have evolved into making the bass a solo instrument.

The competition and concert, created by internationally renowned bass player Steve Bailey, artist-in-residence at Coastal, will feature four finalists out of hundreds of applicants. These finalists will perform before a star-studded panel of international musicians. Judges in addition to Bailey include Victor Wooten, John Patitucci, Anthony Jackson and Gregg Bissonette, all accomplished and influential stars of the jazz world. The four finalists will be selected to perform at Coastal in advance by the advisory board from a semi-final pool of 20 contestants.

The winner of the competition will receive $10,000 in cash and prizes, plus the opportunity to record with Steve Bailey and Victor Wooten's group, Bass Extremes, on their next CD. Cash and prizes will also be awarded to second through fourth place contestants, as well as five honorable mentions. The purpose of this competition is to find the most talented solo bass players to further launch the competitors' music careers.

Information on how to audition for the International Contemporary Bass Competition can be found online. Applications must be postmarked by August 1. Tickets to the finalist competition concert are $15 per person, and will be available beginning Aug.15 at the Wheelwright Auditorium Box Office on the campus of Coastal Carolina University, or by calling 843-349-2502.