Saw the awesome Yolanda Charles at GuitarGuitar last night for a Sandberg showcase

[kwmlondon]

I really wanted to give a big shout out to GuitarGuitar for putting on a free Sandberg/Yolanda masterclass and showcase last night. I mean, it was a big old marketing event with the founder Holger Stonjek on the Cajon, but the four-piece they had was very listenable and it was really good fun to hear from the guy who started the company. Yolanda though, what a talent and such a communicator. Really enjoyed hearing about her work touring with Hans Zimmer. 

 

One person in the audience even won a Sandberg California bass!!!! 

 

Anyway. I'm not on the socials so this is the best way I can think to let people know that it was a really good event, well organised, huge fun to be at, and I am proud to support an employee-owned company that seems to be doing well selling guitars on high streets around the country in a very tough market. 

 

[Terry M.]

This was the Camden branch right? I live nearby so had no excuse to miss that 😢

[kwmlondon]

19 minutes ago, Terry M. said:

This was the Camden branch right? I live nearby so had no excuse to miss that 😢

It was. She said she'd been up in Glasgow so I guess all the branches are getting a visit, but I did see the event quite quickly and bagged a ticket sharpish - they went fast! 

[Terry M.]

49 minutes ago, kwmlondon said:

It was. She said she'd been up in Glasgow so I guess all the branches are getting a visit, but I did see the event quite quickly and bagged a ticket sharpish - they went fast! 

Hmm Epsom next I wonder? 🤔

I was in The Bass Gallery once (also Camden) and she was in there with her daughter. Martin the owner introduced me to her and I have to say she had the most sweetest disposition I had encountered in a long time. That stayed with me 😊 Oh and of course she can PLAY!!!!

Edited Friday at 11:15 by Terry M.

[kwmlondon]

2 hours ago, Terry M. said:

Hmm Epsom next I wonder? 🤔

I was in The Bass Gallery once (also Camden) and she was in there with her daughter. Martin the owner introduced me to her and I have to say she had the most sweetest disposition I had encountered in a long time. That stayed with me 😊 Oh and of course she can PLAY!!!!

Actually, Yolanda mentioned she'd tried every bass in The Bass Gallery and decided that Sandberg was the way to go. I emailed her this morning to ask to go on any mailing lists to find out aboug gigs and she messaged me back really quickly, which was lovely!

https://bnds.us/jqrxsd

Gonna get her album on vinyl when it's out.

 

I really think that at the level she's operated for the past few decades, it's not just her absolutely epic musicianship that's gotten her the work, but she's clearly a really good person to be around. I think the same thing is the case for a lot of side-men like Guy Pratt, Gail-Ann Dorsey - they're not just great bass players, but they're also the kind of people that you'd want to hang out with.

[Terry M.]

15 minutes ago, kwmlondon said:

Actually, Yolanda mentioned she'd tried every bass in The Bass Gallery and decided that Sandberg was the way to go. I emailed her this morning to ask to go on any mailing lists to find out aboug gigs and she messaged me back really quickly, which was lovely!

https://bnds.us/jqrxsd

Gonna get her album on vinyl when it's out.

 

I really think that at the level she's operated for the past few decades, it's not just her absolutely epic musicianship that's gotten her the work, but she's clearly a really good person to be around. I think the same thing is the case for a lot of side-men like Guy Pratt, Gail-Ann Dorsey - they're not just great bass players, but they're also the kind of people that you'd want to hang out with.

Exactly this. It's great to hear this sort of feedback. It was an encounter that lasted less than 3 minutes but it was long enough for me to see how comfortable she was in her own skin. Lovely person. 

And just to echo your point I also met Pino in The Gallery once with his son Rocco and they were just so cool to chat to. As you say, people you wouldn't mind hanging out with. 

Edited Friday at 14:07 by Terry M.

[toneknob]

I've been lucky enough to play at Yolanda's jam night at the Spice of Life. Her current band were the house band for the jam, so that's how scary it was. 

 

Also hugely recommended is the No Treble podcast/interview she did, https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2020/03/05/groove-episode-63-yolanda-charles/

[Killerfridge]

I was lucky enough to play with her at the Drum show a few years ago. What an insane talent

[Terry M.]

25 minutes ago, Killerfridge said:

I was lucky enough to play with her at the Drum show a few years ago. What an insane talent

Was it the days she rocked the Fender Dimension?

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I was at the event last night — you can see the top of my orange/yellow bandana at the far left of the pic, it was a very enjoyable way to spend an evening. I've never played a sandberg, but after hearing Holger I will definitely check one out. It was particularly refreshing to hear Yolanda speak about her approach when she played sessions where she expected there to be a bass part already written which she then interpreted. i.e. if you write an original bass part, you should get a co-credit and royalties.

[Killerfridge]

22 minutes ago, Terry M. said:

Was it the days she rocked the Fender Dimension?

No, she had a blue Fender Jazz and a (as yet unplayed, she told me that I got to play it before her) blue Precision Deluxe. I'll try and dig out the video

[kwmlondon]

3 hours ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

I was at the event last night — you can see the top of my orange/yellow bandana at the far left of the pic, it was a very enjoyable way to spend an evening. I've never played a sandberg, but after hearing Holger I will definitely check one out. It was particularly refreshing to hear Yolanda speak about her approach when she played sessions where she expected there to be a bass part already written which she then interpreted. i.e. if you write an original bass part, you should get a co-credit and royalties.

I started the applause when she said that!

[Rayman]

She’s ace. I haven’t seen her live since Bassday Manchester some years ago, fabulous player. 

[chris_b]

She's a great player. Shame Guitar Guitar haven't flooded the stores with Sandbergs to coincide with the tour.