Here's the latest in the world of the double bass!  Visit contrabassconversations.com/news for all episodes, and submit your news at feedback@contrabassconversations.com.  Ben Allison Crowdsourcing New Album Ben on Contrabass Conversations this week http://contrabassconversations.com/benallison  Ben’s website: http://benallison.com  pre-order new album at http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/benallison pledge ends December 28th, so pledge now! Adam Booker Gear Reviews University of Minnesota Duluth has started to review gear on YouTube, and the reaction has been tremendous he got hundreds of views on his review for his first review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYxqgRMtTAM http://adambookeronbass.com  Lauren Pierce New Thumb Position Course course is on Geoff Chalmers’ newly revamped discoverdoublebass.com site New course: http://www.doublebasscourses.com/p/double-bass-thumb-position Lauren has been a guest on Entrepreneur Week I had Lauren and Geoff on the podcast almost a year ago Alex Ritter hosts Double Bass Festival at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul he’s doing great things for the double bass in Brazil check out these photos and hear a bit of his performance of Sconcerto by Trovajoli link to Trovajoli: TROVAJOLI – I TEMPO DI BLUES – ALEXANDRE RITTER 2016 (YouTube) TROVAJOLI – II ALLEGRETTO – ALEXANDRE RITTER 2016 (YouTube) TROVAJOLI – III PAVANE – ALEXANDRE RITTER 2016 (YouTube) TROVAJOLI – IV SCHERZO – ALEXANDRE RITTER 2016 (YouTube) http://contrabassconversations.com/alexritter  P. Kellach Waddle’s 5th String Quartet (including bass) “A Vonnegut Quintet” nominated as a semifinalist for the American Prize in Chamber Music https://www.facebook.com/pkwaddle http://contrabassconversations.com/pkellachwaddle  University of Michigan School of Music Bass Faculty Position Faculty position for teacher of double bass link for more information http://contrabassconversations.com/dianagannett http://contrabassconversations.com/maxdimoff Congratulations to the Forth Worth Symphony Bassists the strike is over! congrats to: William Clay, Principal Paul Unger, Assistant Principal Jeffrey Hall Julie Vinsant Thanks to Mitch Moehring for the idea Feedback Derek Jones Jerry Ramos Michael Gam Valentina Ciardelli Bob Nieske Win Hinkle Recent Podcast Guests Dave Swift - http://contrabassconversations.com/daveswift  Scott Devine - http://contrabassconversations.com/scottdevine  Upcoming all-music show another “radio hour” Ben Allison Bill Merchant Caleb Quillen Get the App! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to your inbox! Learn how you can support the show at contrabassconversations.com/support Thanks to our sponsors! This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut. Enter the D’Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings! Enter the D’Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings! Hosting for Contrabass Conversations is provided by Bass Capos.  Bass Capos are an excellent choice for any bass player using or looking to implement a double bass extension. Easy to install and adjust, cheaper and more reliable than hand-built latches, also lighter and quicker in operation.