Derek Frank is well known for his work with Gwen Stefani and Shania Twain and a number of other top artists including Shakira, Kelly Clarkson and Mindi Abair.  The LA-based bassist and musical director is known for nailing the gig when playing with artists across pretty much every genre but also has 3 solo records that are full of absolute funk bass gold and warm funky bass tones.  

Born in Pittsburgh, Derek began playing music early and fell in love, claiming that he didn’t choose bass, it chose him.  He received some formal music training from Interlochen Center For the Arts in Michigan and the University of Miami before finally landing in LA, where things began to move fast.  After cutting his teeth while touring with Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express, he quickly became one of the busiest players on the LA scene.    

His 3 solo releases, “Let the Games Begin,” “Eleven Years Later” and ” Origin Story” vary from TOP style funk grooves, to 70s cop show inspired grooves and southern rock. A few tracks even feature flute solos from Ron Burgundy…or at least the man who actually played Ron Burgundy’s “yazz” flute solo – Katisse Buckingham.

Derek uses a variety of basses on these recordings including a ’63 P Bass, Olinto P bass, Celinder jazz bass and a variety of Musicman Stingray basses.  Each tone he dials in is top notch and the effects used range from octave and envelope filter to some funky ass wah bass.  

In this podcast episode, Derek talks about everything from playing bass with the stars, developing good technique, and gives some valuable insight on the musical and personal skills you’ll need to become a successful working musician.  We’ll also take a listen to some of the tracks from “Eleven Years Later” and Derek breaks down the stories behind the grooves and how he got the killer bass sounds on this groovy funk/jazz record.