About Us

The International Society of Bassists is your direct connection into the best and the brightest bassists, luthiers, educators and more!

Through our conventions, newsletters, and magazines and new features on the website, you can be inspired, educated, and connected to our bass family.  Look who you might see at the next convention:

“Many years ago when I was a student in the National Youth Orchestra of Canada our bass coach was the late great David Walter. He was as wonderful a teacher as could be found anywhere, and he had boundless enthusiasm and energy for sharing everything he knew about music and the double bass. His love of the bass inspired and motivated all of us. One day in sectional he asked us; “How many of you are members of the International Society of Bassists?” The silence was deafening as none of us put up our hands.

“An incredulous expression crept over David’s face; “For Heaven’s sake, WHY NOT?”

“All of us there that day professed to loving music and the double bass so much; after all, we were preparing to devote the rest of our lives to it! Why would we not be interested in anything and everything that had to do with the bass? It made no sense at all that we should be burying our heads in the sand, oblivious to all the incredible changes happening in the world and avoiding the golden opportunity to learn, partake and enjoy, when so much could have been achieved with a simple membership in the International Society of Bassists.

“What were we missing?

“My story is from a time when attitudes and expectations about the bass were just starting to change, thanks in no small measure to Gary Karr, who was showing the world the bass was beautiful as a solo instrument. Inspired researchers and performers were unearthing unpublished manuscripts and composers were creating new music that transcended traditional techniques and styles more and more frequently; but how would we learn about that if we didn’t read the only publication on earth that wrote of such activities?

“Bass and bow makers were making bold new ventures into design and playability of basses; if we only knew about that, couldn’t we all benefit from those efforts? Manufacturers were also improving our lot in life with new strings, flight cases, endpins and other inventions and stuff we didn’t even know we needed! Historians were figuring out how we got to HERE, and very often the only outlet available for them to share their labours of love was through the ISB journals.

“Teachers and players alike were making dramatic improvements and innovations in techniques and pedagogy; who among us could afford to not improve? Hearing or reading about an idea is all it takes sometimes, yet none of us in that room with David Walter were benefitting from all that the ISB could offer us. Over the past fifty years this glorious bass renaissance has grown formidably, so much so, that the level of bass evolution and progress in today’s world is absolutely mind-blowing! Back then we had no excuse to not belong to the ISB, and nowadays, you REALLY don’t have one!

“Everyone of us can benefit from the remarkable sharing that happens in the ISB, through the Bass World magazine, or the biennial conventions and the various competitions that are always raising the bar on excellence, as well as the social media that keeps the world informed of all that is going on internationally; concerts, courses, commissions, awards, masterclasses, sales or employment opportunities.

“Whether you are a professional or amateur, a luthier or a composer, collector or gearhead, or perhaps simply a listener who enjoys very low frequencies, there is a place in the ISB for you to share your double bass love! Please join us and claim your membership today!” – Joel Quarrington

Victor Wooten had his first ISB experience at the 2013 convention:

The 2013 ISB convention was a truly inspiring experience. The masterclasses that I attended were really informative and I heard some wonderful bass players who are doing things that were almost inconceivable 50 years ago. The opportunity for us all to come together and share our experiences is fantastic for the bass community and for the advancement of the instrument. On a personal level, it gave me a real creative boost and has set some new standards for me to aspire to.” – Dave Holland

ISB is an organization that makes incredible things happen. I attended my first ISB Convention in 1999 when I was 17 years old. For a teenager who just came out of China, everything was new and exciting. But the highlight of that convention for me was the last day. I remember sitting in the audience and all of the sudden, my name was announced. My heart was racing and my face was turning red. I was not used to being in front of a big crowd. It turned out that the I had been awarded the use of a wonderful double bass from the Karr Foundation. , after they learned that the only bass available for me to use was a school instrument.  I remember vividly the moment when David Murray carried the bass toward me on the stage.  That was a magical moment.

It’s amazing how one organization can unite great performers, master teachers, students, and bass lovers from all over the world.  The friendships and networks I formed through ISB supports me, both professionally and personally.  It is not an overstatement to say that I would not be where I am without ISB.

Joining ISB can also change your life.  Don’t miss your opportunity. – DaXun Zhang

The years gallop past and lo’ and behold, I’m a sort of senior bassist! What a wonderful time I’ve had, and there’s more to come. Those of my generation enjoy a strong sense historical perspective. Not only am I pre-television, I’m pre- ISB! Oh, how I would have benefited from an ISB in my formative years. We were all islands. I had no idea if I was good or not, what the standard was, and what there was to do on the bass. I only found out I was doing well when I was accepted to Eastman and Curtis during my last year of high school. How things have changed thanks to my friend and contemporary Gary Karr, who founded this great forum that brought us all together. I’ve been around the whole way,  watching it grow and flourish and contributing when I’ve had the chance. Now the modern ISB has such a wealth of resources for us all. It doesn’t matter where you are along the bass trail, there is interest, excitement and friendship waiting for you. Competitions and masterclasses (there were none when I started out) are a great way to hear colleagues and discover the level of bass playing around the world. No other instrument has had the renaissance the bass has enjoyed recently, and it is all of us, with the help of our Society, who have made it happen. No signs of slowing down. Whether a student, professional, orchestral musician, jazz player, bass maker, teacher, composer or publisher, you have a contribution to make and a lot to gain. The ISB is its membership, come join us! – Thomas Martin

It has been over 20 years since I played at my first ISB convention and like all bassists, I truly appreciate the brother and sisterhood of Bass! Because we look through all music from the ground up, we share a perspective of giving to the music and serving the whole so the music can soar. I have enjoyed the experience at conventions of sharing, learning, being inspired, humbled and driven back to the woodshed, by ALL kinds of Bass playing. I enjoy the magazine and like to learn about different ways to approach playing, hearing about new pieces, books and recordings. I have also enjoyed many articles about my Bass heroes. God bless you all and I hope to see you soon at the next Bass Hang! – John Patitucci 

Maybe we should call it the ISBF, for Family? Where else are bassists of all stripes not only welcomed, but also valued, and for all the right reasons? There was no ISB for me as a student or young professional. Imagine when all the knowledge, awareness and shared musical experiences became readily available. I never have, nor would I miss an event, from Cincinnati, Chicago, Austin, LA, NYC, Bloomington, Houston, Iowa City and Kalamazoo, to Oklahoma City, State College, PA, and on to San Francisco in 2011. The truth is, there’s so much that goes on it’s impossible to take it all in. So okay, you catch up at the next convention! The ISB is our life’s blood. One principal of a major orchestra confided to me at his first ISB event, ‘I just had no idea! How could I have missed all this for so long? I’ll never miss another.’ – Paul Ellison

As a teenager, I was lucky enough to learn that bassists have a unique and supportive bondwith each other that is not shared by players of any other instrument. The ISB is the lead organization we have that keeps this family connected throughout the world. – John Clayton

Paul and John are regular ISB Convention attendees.  It’s almost like they are the welcome committee.  Have you hung out with them before?  They are totally warm and generous with their time and knowledge.

Wanna meet them?  Register for the convention here.

In all my years in the orchestra business, it has become obvious to me that the bass section is the coolest section in the orchestra. Bass players get along. We play well with others. We also show up when it’s time to serve on committees and mix with audiences. I am so very proud to be a member of this Bass Fraternity. One of the best ways for you to join in this fraternity is to become a member of the ISB. When you think of all the players and teachers we respect and want to emulate, nearly all of them are members of the ISB. Please join or renew today and hang with the cool players. Through the inspirational conventions and the magazine and website, we’ll all share in the fun! – Hal Robinson

They are inspirational and invigorating, and the feeling of camaraderie is bountiful. The young talent on display in the competitions is simply awesome. Any one of the masterclasses, clinics and incredible concerts is worth the price of admission. I always leave feeling the need to get home to practice! The ISB is very special to me and makes me even prouder that I play the bass. Please join or renew and be a member of our bass family, the ISB.  The world of the bass will open up to you! – Rufus Reid  

Personal story:  My first time at the ISB convention, I was trying out basses.  I had my eyes shut, diggin’ the instrument.  Next thing I know, I hear someone playing with me.  I open my eyes and see RUFUS REID smiling at me.  Now, that is what I call premier access!

Who are YOU going to meet?  You never know unless you become a member.