Bass Guitarist

Cliff Macdonald

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About Cliff

I'm from Essex, UK with over 40 years of playing experience, so If you need a versatile bass player, please feel free to contact me.
Bass Guitarist
Southend-on-Sea
Public liability insurance of £10 million

Hi, my name's Cliff Macdonald and I'm a session bass player, specialising in remote or studio recording's and live performances for Artists, Producers and Labels alike. Based in the county of Essex in the UK, I have over 40 years experience of recording and live performances in various genres of music. I can offer a variety of playing styles & tones from a beautiful 'Jamerson' style Motown & Soul sound, through to a funky 'Mark King' slap bass style or even a fretless bass (if a 'Pino' style is preferred). I'm also proficient in playing upright bass, so maybe a smoother Jazz style is what your track needs or even a 50's Rock n' Roll or Rockabilly slap bass is the order of the day. So if you need a versatile bass player who can deliver on time, please feel free to contact me, as my goal is to provide quality bass tracks that both musically and sonically contribute to your music.

Cliff
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5 out of 5
9 verified reviews

Cliff's Reviews

From customers:

RC
Russ C
3 months ago, for a Recording session in Wickford
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5 out of 5

My band recently recruited Cliff as a bass player for a two day, studio recording session. We play Blues, Jazz & Swing and he nailed each genre to perfection. We will definitely use him again for future projects.

JJ
Julie J
4 months ago, for a Bar / Club / Venue event in Hockley SS5
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5 out of 5

My 50's Rock n Roll band used Cliff's services at a recent retro show and his style of playing Double Bass was perfect for the occasion. Thank you Cliff

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Cliff's Song list

Superstition
Get On The Floor
lost In Music
Another Star
Love Games
Thinking Of You
Mr Pink
Boogie Oogie Oogie
Breezin'
Boogie Nights
Time Won't Wait
Master Blaster (Jammin)
It's A Love Thing
I Wish
As
Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing
Let's Go Round Again
Papa Was A Rolling Stone
Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
Forget Me Nots
Used Ta Be My Girl
A Night To Remember
Stomp
Love x Love
Summer Breeze
September
Graceland
Fantasy
Lady Love Me (One More Time)
Give Me The Night
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
I Want Your love
Everybody Dance
I Want You Back
Got To Be Real
And The Beat Goes On
Ai No Corrida
Le Freak
Got to Get You Into My Life
Street Life
Time Won't Wait
Cosmic Girl
Space Cowboy
Virtual Insanity
Can You Feel It
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Rock You Baby
December 1963
My Girl
Blame It On The Boogie
I Feel For You
Tears Of a clown
Just The Two Of us
Killing Me Softly
Never Make Your Move Too Soon
Too Late
Ain't That Lovin' You Baby
Down The Road Apiece
It's My Soul
Up The Line
Stormy Monday
Much Later For You Baby
Ain't No Need To Go No Further Brother
Party Girl
Learn To Treat Me Right
Hoodoo Preacher
Work Song
Paper Moon
Matchbox
In The Wee Wee Hours
Chicken Shack
Sure Cure For The Blues
Certainly All
Write Me one Sweet Letter
You Better Believe It
Hit The Road Jack
Moondance
I'm Not Your Clown
She Walk's Right In
That's Alright
It Must Be Jelly Baby
No Use Knockin' On My Door
Going Away
She Walks Right In
Sloppy Drunk
Summertime
Exactly Like You
Autumn Leaves
Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
I Can't Give You Anything But Love Baby
Chitlins Con Carne
My Babe
Route 66
See See Rider
Bring It On Home To me
Razzle Dazzle
Swing Me Baby
Love Is Strange
Stray Cat Strutt
El Camino Real
Rip It Up
Tequila
Sing Sing Sing
This Little Girl's Gone Rockin'
No Mama No Papa
Hot Dog Buddy Buddy
Shake Rattle And Roll
Little Bitty Pretty One
Rock Around The Clock
Johnny B Goode
Choo Choo Cha Boogie
You Ain't Moving Me
Talk To Me
Hideaway
Stuck In The Middle With You
Lay Down Sally
Take It To The Limit
Taking It Easy
Another Brick In The Wall
Alright Now
Dance The Night Away
Crocodile Rock
Ticket To Ride
A Hard Days Night
Midnight Hour
Wonderful Tonight
Handle With Care
Sultans Of Swing
Sweet Home Chicago
Keep On Running
Brown Eyed Girl
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
That'll Be The Day
The Walk Of Life
Ain't No Sunshine
Stand By Me
Papa Was A Rolling Stone
She Loves You
Nowhere Man
Do You Love Me
Money For Nothin'
Poison Ivy
When Will I Be Loved
Brown Sugar
Knock On Wood
Sleepwalk
Bim Bam
In These Shoes
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Under The Boardwalk
As Long As I'm Moving
Ring Of Fire
Georgia On My Mind

Cliff's Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£62.50
Up to 1 hour£125
Up to 2 hours£187.50
Up to 3 hours£250
Packages
Remote Mastering
To master your tracks using my studio facility on Reaper DAW
£75
Remote Audio Mixing
To mix your tracks using my studio facility on Reaper DAW
£125
Recording
Remote recording an improvised bass guitar track with a 3 day turn around.
£137.50

Add-ons

Remote Recording
+£100
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

* Remote Recording - I have a 3 day turn around on recordings and always deliver on time. * Live Performances - I prepare correctly, with my own charts & always show a high level of professionalism. * Audio Mixing & Mastering - I always comply with the clients wishes and like to work closely with the clients in order to achieve the best possible results.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Twinwood Festival - Clapham The 100 club - Oxford St, London ANB - Soho, London Epson Race Course - Epson The UK Jazz Centre - Southend-on-Sea The Bear Club - Luton Pizza Express - Kings Rd, London The Half Moon- Putney

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Pino Paladino Stanley Clarke Marcus Miller Mark King James Jamerson Mark Winchester

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

* The Twinwood Rock n' Roll Festival in Clapham * The Cinelli Bros at the 100 club London * Dr Feelgood at the Half Moon in Putney

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

“I always try my best to be flexible and to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let me know.”

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

As I am only a session musician that works for the band, I usually leave service this to the band.

How much time do you need to set up?

“I usually set up about 1 to 1.5 hours before the performance time!” but I am flexible and will always try to comply with the clients wishes".

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

Yes, If the piece is not on my song list, I am happy for you to send me references to the track, so I can learn it and make my own charts (if needed) in time for the performance.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

“Yes, absolutely! I bring my own instrument and backline.”

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

“If a song isn't included in my song list, there may still be a chance I already know it. If there is a special song you'd like me to learn, I am happy to do this for you".
Musicianship
Genres:
Soul, Funk, 1950s era music, 1980s era music, 1970s era music, Country, Rockabilly, Blues, Jazz, Swing, Easy listening, Disco, Motown, R&B, Rock 'n' Roll, Film / TV music, Pop
See all genres
Instruments:
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Event types:
Recording session, Bar / Club / Venue event, Wedding, Virtual event, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types
Other skills:
Audio engineer, Producer, Fluent improviser
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