Two beloved bassists talk about the Hot Tuna/Tedeschi Trucks Band joint tour and more
Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
October 16, 2017
By David Sands
We’ve got a double feature for you today: Jack Casady of Hot Tuna and Tim Lefebvre of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, two acclaimed bass players whose groups toured the U.S. together this past summer.
Casady, of course, is known for his pioneering work with Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna (playing alongside guitarist and long-time friend Jorma Kaukonen in both). Prior to playing in those famous bands, he and Kaukonen played together in a group called the Triumphs, and he worked on his own in the D.C. area as a backing musician to artists like Little Anthony and the Imperials. Over the years, he’s also worked with artists like Jimi Hendrix, David Crosby, Warren Zevon, Country Joe and The Fish, SVT, Rusted Root and Gov’t Mule and performed music for the Disney film Moonlight Mile. An icon among bassists, Casady is celebrated for helping emancipate the bass from its role as simply a backing instrument in rock n’ roll bands. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Jefferson Airplane in 1996.
Tim Lefebvre enjoys a high profile as well, having developed a reputation as a bass innovator and player who’s fluent in a multiplicity of styles, including rock, jazz, R&B, fusion and electronica. Currently playing alongside Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi in the Tedeschi Trucks Band, he’s appeared in more than 150 recordings over the course of his career, working with musicians like Wayne Krantz, Chris Botti, Bill Evans, Leni Stern, Empire of the Sun, Elvis Costello, Donald Fagen and Sting, among others. Lefebvre has aso contributed to music scores for films and television shows, including Oceans Twelve and The Departed as well as television shows like The Sopranos and 30 Rock. With fellow members of the Donny McCaslin group, he also played in the band that performed on David Bowie’s Grammy Award-winning final album, Blackstar.
FBPO’s Jon Liebman had an opportunity to meet with both musicians during a recent performance at the Meadowbrook Ampitheatre in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Among other topics, the resulting discussion touched on Casady’s transition from Jefferson Airplane to Hot Tuna, Lefebvre’s work with David Bowie and both bassist’s insights into one another’s playing.
Watch Jack and Tim’s interview here!
