Rising Stars: Meet Abraham Mota of Montebello

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abraham Mota.

Hi Abraham, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started playing piano around the age of 4. I took private lessons in Monterey Park. I then also picked up guitar and violin around age 8. I took violin lessons at East Los Angeles College as a course and took guitar lessons privately. I remember going to Texas for a guitar ensemble competition. At around the age 11, I stopped music because it felt more like a chore than anything else. At age 12, I picked up the bass because my local church didn’t have a bassist. My brother also played piano there while I tried playing guitar. Throughout high school, I played alto sax in concert band, marching band, and jazz band! I stuck to playing bass as well but not in school. I would just play at church and sometimes jam with my cousins and friends.
While playing a jazz gig in high school, I felt like music would be fun to do! After high school, I went to East Los Angeles College where I continued to play alto sac but only for a semester! Around my third year at community college, I decided to get back into music officially! I picked up my violin again for orchestra as well as my alto sax for concert band! In 2021, since I was still at that college, I started playing bass in jazz band and decided I would stick to playing bass for the rest of my life! After graduating from ELAC, I transferred to Cal Poly Pomona. I played upright bass for Orchestra and bass guitar for Jazz band! I did one semester of alto sax in the symphonic band and that was the end of my alto sax journey. I haven’t picked it up since aside from teaching a bit here and there. I graduated from CPP in 2023 and had my sights on being a session bassist! It took me a while to get into the LA scene but I’m so glad I out myself out there! Ever since February 2024, I’ve met so many incredible musicians and artists! While I don’t do music full-time as of right now, I’m a lot more busier in music now than I was!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think school was a struggle. Not in the academic sense, just that it took me a long time to get my BA! It took me nine years to earn it which seemed like a lot for me! Didn’t help that my first few years at community college, I’d only completed around 9 units. I didn’t think I was smart and I didn’t care about school. Another small struggle I suppose was choosing an instrument. Whole at community college, I had a tough time picking from either bass, sax, or piano to pursue. I decided bass was the right choice because it was portable and the coolest of the three.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a session bassist, I work with multiple artists and bands to bring their music to life! I’ve played at some legendary venues such as The Troubadour and The Whisky! I also work at a church in Fullerton with some incredible musicians which makes it so much fun! I love playing pop, rock, punk, and funk music! I guess I am most proud of the fact of how far I’ve come as a musician. It was a struggle to get where I am and by no means do I think I’ve made it but I love the path I’m on and won’t stop!

 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basslessabe?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Other: abraham14068@gmail.com

Image Credits
Chris Garcia
Cameron Baldon
Mathius Fau
Derek Shaon