Chuck Bianchi

Chuck Bianchi is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music. During his time as a performance major at Berklee, Chuck explored the possibilities of solo electric bass and studied with Joe Santerre, Bruce Gertz, Whit Brown, Rich Appleman, Anthony Vitti, and many other great players and teachers. Before graduating in 1997, he was selected, along with a half-dozen other students, to perform at the Berklee Performance Center during the school's annual Bass Week where he performed an original composition with a band. Since then, Chuck has been writing and performing music for solo bass with single-minded dedication after realizing the melodic potential and subtle range of expression that are possible on the bass guitar. His originative solo arrangements and compositions utilize various slapping and tapping techniques, altered tunings, the harmonic E-Bow, and his unique approach to counterpoint on the bass guitar. Over the past decade, Chuck has been composing and making music with guitarist, Jerry Preston. Their style draws on everything from the impressionistic music of Ravel and soundscapes of Steve Roach to the progressive sounds of Dream Theater and minimalism of Erik Satie. Performing frequently at festivals, cafes, wineries, and private functions, they play their original compositions, both solos and duets, as well as the music of Michael Hedges, Michael Manring, Alex de Grassi, and many others. In 2002, Chuck released his first recording with Jerry Preston. The disc, Dreaming Out Loud, serves as a condensed culmination of a decade of exploration. Dreaming Out Loud is a compilation of unaccompanied bass solos, guitar pieces, and duets. Music from the disc has been featured on radio programs such as Music of the 21st Century and the nationally syndicated Echoes with John Diliberto. Chuck has also performed with jazz groups, pop/rock bands, and in live theater. With bands such as Skeeter & the Three Notes, Joe Brucato, and Brass Taxi, he has appeared at many festivals and concerts and opened for acts such as Joshua Redman, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Isley Brothers, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and Joan Osborne. In an effort to expand the solo bass repertoire, Chuck continues to compose, teach, and perform music for the bass guitar.

In order to expand the repertoire of solo bass music, Chuck Bianchi, has published Exposed: Solo Music For Unaccompanied Electric Bass. This book features complete transcriptions of the 4 original solo bass compositions from Bianchi's debut recording project, Dreaming Out Loud. Within his music, Bianchi, a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, explores the use of two-handed tapping techniques, harmonics, chords, altered tunings, and counterpoint on bass guitar. In addition to transcribing "December," "Campfires In The Sky," "Imaginary Day," and "Where Tigers Dance" in both standard notation and tablature, Bianchi has also included special performance notes to help guide you through the performance of each piece.

After performing together as a duo for the past decade, electric bassist Chuck Bianchi and acoustic guitarist Jerry Preston have released their debut outing, Dreaming Out Loud. This recording is a collection of nine original compositions: four solo bass pieces, three works for acoustic guitar, and two duets. With his 5-string Zon, Bianchi, a Berklee graduate, utilizes altered tunings, two handed tapping techniques, harmonics, and chordal work to create dynamically rich, multi-layered voicings that are both technically intricate and emotionally expressive. Preston, with his own unique and unconventional approach to acoustic guitar, presents the listener with a repertoire full of complex, yet melodically sensitive pieces. Together, Bianchi and Preston compliment each others creativity with beautifully arranged harmony and interwoven melodies. A complete track listing includes: "Three Day Fall", "A Northern Place", "Falling Away", "Imaginary Day", "Dragons of Eden", "Campfires in the Sky", "Revisited", "December", and "Where Tigers Dance." Bottom Line: On Dreaming Out Loud, Bianchi and Preston aren't afraid to push the boundaries of conventional thinking. Searching, challenging, and inspiring best describe this project.

Exposed: Solo Music For Unaccompanied Electric Bass

Exposed: Solo Music For Unaccompanied Electric Bass features complete transcriptions of the 4 original solo bass compositions from Bianchi's debut recording project, Dreaming Out Loud. Transcriptions include "December," "Campfires In The Sky," "Imaginary Day," and "Where Tigers Dance."

Dreaming Out Loud

Chuck Bianchi - Bass
Jerry Preston - Acoustic Guitar
Release Date - 2002
Record Label - Dreaming Out Loud Music

For more information on Chuck Bianchi, visit: DreamingOutLoud.net.