Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian de Mesones.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m originally from Brooklyn, NY, and grew up in a household filled with all genres of music since my mother is Bulgarian and my father was from Peru. I became familiar with the music of my heritage while simultaneously being introduced to American music by my older siblings and through radio, movies and television, etc. I gravitated towards Heavy Metal at an early age and joined lots of bands in my early years in Brooklyn. When I attended Bass Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA (now Musicians Institute), I was exposed to or able to work with some legendary players, like Abe Laboriel, Louis Johnson, Tim Bogart, Howard Alden, Steve Morse, Pat Metheny, and the late Tommy Tedesco, Ray Brown, and Pat Martino. All these experiences – the absorption of varied genres of music with Latin and European flavors, being introduced to things like the Motown sound, Philly Soul and bands like Emerson, Lake & Palmer – and then receiving technical training and being able to explore music theory, coupled with an immersion in the world of jazz, all played significant roles in my development as a musician. BIT definitely broadened my horizons even further and positively influenced my writing and playing styles. After school, I was blessed enough to get a full-time job as a paid musician, living in Hawaii for a bit, and playing in a Top 40 hard rock cover band. I moved to Richmond in the 90s, during which time I played in a variety of bands, became really immersed in urban music and Smooth Jazz, and had the privilege of opening for greats like Roberta Flack and Chuck Brown. Then, I relocated to the DC area, where I started my first Smooth Jazz project and eventually launched my solo career.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The industry has changed so much over the years, and it can be difficult and extremely costly to achieve your musical goals – especially if you’re seeking radio airplay. The pandemic has made it more difficult to do just about everything but has been tremendously detrimental to the gigging musician. And when I’m able to gig, I also have to be mindful about balancing my musical aspirations with my other responsibilities – a musician’s hours can be hectic. I have a day job that requires me to be well-rested and healthy, and regular, quality time with my family is extremely important to me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Bass guitar is my instrument – 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 15-string bass, to be precise! Although I currently identify as a smooth jazz bassist and composer, my music is really a hybrid of genres. It’s smooth jazz with world music, Latin, funk, soul and/or rock influences, depending upon the song. People always say, “One thing you will never be at a Big New York show is Bored!”. I’m constantly hearing how edgy and funky my music is for the smooth jazz genre, as well as how complex, exciting and unique the songs are – both from listeners and the musicians I hire to play with me.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is going to Coney Island with my mom when I was three years old in 1964. It was my first time there, and she took me on the Wonder Wheel! I also went to the World’s Fair with my family that year, which was super exciting, and you’d think that would be a more meaningful memory. I think the Coney Island memory wins because it was just me and my mom spending the day together.
Pricing:
- Album – “They Call me Big New York” – $20
- Tour Tee Shirts – $40 (Birchmere, Catalina)
Contact Info:
- Website: bignybass.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christiandemesones/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christian.demesones/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bignybass
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/christiandemesones
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/christian-de-mesones
Image Credits
John Wardell
