John Goldsby

John Goldsby stepped down in December 2024 after 30 years with the Grammy Award-winning WDR Big Band in Cologne. He continues to maintain a busy performance schedule with his own groups and as a sideman.

Move: WDR Big Band—Small-Group Sessions, the latest small-group recording with soloists of the WDR Big Band, is now available to stream! John’s other recent releases as bandleader include Incentive: WDR Big Band—Small-Group Sessions, Pure Imagination: WDR Big Band—Small-Group Sessions, Swim for Your Life, The Baden Baden Suite, Speak with a Purpose, I’ll Be Around, Segment, The Innkeeper’s Gun and Space for the Bass.

Goldsby has authored The Jazz Bass Book, Bass Notes, and Jazz Bowing Techniques, and contributes regularly to Bass Magazine. His six online bass courses are available from Discover Double Bass. Just released: Listen Up! — Ear-Training for Jazz Double Bass Players.

About

From 1994 to 2024, John Goldsby was a member of the Westdeutscher Rundfunk Big Band (also known as the WDR Big Band or the Cologne Radio Big Band). From 1980 to 1994, Goldsby lived in New York City and was a fixture on the jazz scene there. John continues to contribute to the art form as a bassist, bandleader, composer, teacher, clinician and author.

New Release

With the release of Move: WDR Big Band—Small Group Sessions, the WDR offers the third album in a series of small-ensemble recordings organised by John Goldsby featuring select musicians in the big band roster. The soloists are presented in intimate, transparent musical vignettes.

Online Bass Instruction

John Goldsby has filmed six superb courses at Discover Double Bass covering all the essential learning for any jazz bassist looking to improve bass lines, solos, ensemble playing, and technique. Just released: Listen Up! — Ear-Training for Jazz Double Bass Players.