Al Caldwell

Staff Writer for Bass Musician Magazine, Clinician, Performer, Engineer, Producer, Musician, Hillbilly, Cultural Nomad

Al started off with trumpet and as a singer/dancer. In 1976 he taught himself bass and landed a gig with 'R.J. and the Rhythm Company', alsoplaying for such artist as Albert King and Shirley Brown. Aftergraduating from Performing Arts High, Al moved back to St.Louis in1979. He started working with Ralph Butler where guest artist like AlexAcuna from Weather Report and Phillip Wilson sat in. He played in aband 'Front Street' and started writing originals in 1980, leaving soonto travel with a show band for a year.

Coming back to a highlighted spot in Ralph Butler's band and havinggained a following as a soloist, in 1983 Al left for New York City. Heroomed with famed drummer Dave Weckl and was mentored by the legendaryAnthony Jackson. It was then he began playing multi-string basses. Aldid some work with Chris Botti, Vicky Sue Robinson, Jonathan Butler,Glen Jones, Chuck Mangione, Matt 'Guitar' Murphy, Teddy Riley, JohnnyKemp, and Stanley Turrentine. Also performing on shows with Earth, Wind and Fire, Nancy Wilson, the Whispers, Phyllis Hyman, WyntonMarsalis, Najee, Kirk Whalum, Johnny Gill. Spending time traveling allover Europe, Africa, Japan, and Canada, Al studied the music of othercultures.

In 1990 being tired of touring and longing for a change, he wrote and produced a song called 'Wait, Wait' for an artist named JuliusWilliams. It went to number #1 on the local charts. An early adopter of the Computer Recording software 'Pro Tools', he practiced on tons oflocal talent developing chops as a writer, producer and engineer. Hestudied the art of recording with Oliver Sain and Perry Emge and wroteover 1500 songs in those seven years.

In 1997, Al received a call from Rob Mathes asking him to play bass for Vanessa Williams. Gladly taking the gig, his first job with her was performing for the Prince of Monaco, and then flying back to America to perform on the David Letterman show. They played every top TV show atthe time. The tour continued with the addition of Luther Vandross. Theyplayed everywhere, from the Hollywood Bowl to Madison Square Garden.

In September 2002 after seeing the movie 'Oh Brother, where art thou?'and being moved by the Bluegrass Soundtrack, Al purchased a banjo, theinstrument his Great Grandfather had played, and learned of the Africanorigin of the instrument. Noticing that he'd never seen an AfricanAmerican play a banjo, he thought about the 300 years of missingmusical culture. It also made him think about the African Americancontribution to American music... so he started The Travelin BlackHillbilly's.

In September 2007 the Travelin Black Hillbilly's played The AACW Bluesand Jazz Festival. The following week they were a featured act inBristol, Tenn. Bristol is the Birthplace of Country Music. They werewell received. The Travelin Black Hillbillys currently have 4 cd's onI-Tunes.

Al completed the 70's "Love Songs" CD for Vanessa Williams. Guest stars
include George Benson, D-Train and more. It will be a tribute to someof the great songs of the 70's. Here are the tracks he is featured on.
Everlasting love
Never can say Good-bye
You are Everything
With you I'm born Again
I'll be good to you
Let's Love (by the Ohio Players)

He's also completed Vanessa's Christmas CD "Silver and Gold". It features Brian McKnight and Ozzie Davis. Al plays on 3 songs

Silver and Gold
Joy to the World (w/ Brian McKnight)
December Lullaby

(All songs are recorded with his Signature Benavente 9 String MIDI Bass)

Al has performed on Broadway for the Holiday season at the PalaceTheater (NY, NY), Vanessa's One-Woman Show and "Live by Request onA&E".

He has also performed at Carnage Hall and several White House Events.

He is currently working on a series of Instructional DVD's. These willteach bass guitar, workshops for singers, Recording Producers andRecording Studio Technique. Chuck Rainey is assisting in this project.

Al performed on the television show "The Bachelorette", at the CottonClub in Harlem. Al recently returned from a performance for the President of Egypt and a 3-week tour of the "Blue Note Jazz Clubs" in Japan. This fall Al performed with Vanessa Williams in Shanghai China for the Special Olympics. He performed the theme song written by Quincy Jones. Vanessa Williams , Quincy Jones and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger were presented with awards for this wonderful event.

Al is releasing several new cd's in 2008. He's planning to tour with the Travelin Black Hillbilly's and his Jazz project "Spankalisious". He also has a Hendrix type project named "Show me a Sign". Al Caldwell's music is available on Apple I-tunes, Wal-Mart and CDBaby.