Podcast 848: A Conversation with David Finck

Straight No Chaser - A Jazz Show

It’s not hard to see David Finck as a consummate professional musician. His instrument – the bass – and his knowledge of an extraordinary number of musical styles and genres make him a first call player in jazz, rock and pop circles. Two gigs in August provide perfect examples. Finck was in the pit at Radio City Music Hall for Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’s concert, one of Tony’s final shows. Two weeks later, he was onstage with the rock group the Eagles, as part of their string section when they played the Hotel California album from start to finish.

From shows like those to tenure with jazz bands led by Steve Kuhn, Paquito D’Rivera, Andre Previn, and Tisziji Munoz , David has played it all. You may not be aware, but that’s him on the plethora of standards albums pop and Broadway stars have released in the past two decades, including those by Natalie Cole, Sinead O’Connor, Linda Eder and Rod Stewart.

Bassic Instinct is Finck’s latest album as a leader, following the 2019 Burton Avenue Music release, Bassically Jazz, It’s an all-new collection of jazz tunes and original compositions, spanning genres from straight ahead jazz to Brazilian-influenced tunes and Latin beats. Finck is joined by a bevy of talented collaborators including Andy Snitzer, Quinn Johnson, Bob Mann, Mike Davis, Meg Ruby and others. Vocal features include Melissa Errico, Kelly Mittleman, Téka Penteriche and Trist Curless.

Podcast 848 is my conversation with David, as we discuss his wide ranging styles of playing, and how the new album came together during the pandemic. He reminisces about some of his collaborators, and recalls working with the late Claudio Roditi and Kenny Rankin, as well as a strange session with Jon Benjamin of Bob’s Burgers fame. Musical selections from Bassic Instinct include the title track and “Tico Tico No Fuba.”