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Bass Guitarist

Ruben Medina

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About Ruben

Electric bass player based in London with vast experience in the jazz, latin, funk, soul, blues, pop environments.
Bass Guitarist
Isleworth
Public liability insurance of £10 million

I was born in Colón City, Republic of Panama. Music was an important part of my life during my childhood as I explored with percussion instruments and drums. At the age of twelve, I got my first professional drum set (a gift from my father). At the same time my brother got an electric 5 strings bass. As I got interested in drums, I also managed to get a hand on my brother's bass. I managed to play bass in a very intuitive way at the beginning, playing along records of artists like Bob James, George Benson and Kirk Whalum. The influence of gospel and latin Christian music was relevant on my development, since my workshop was playing at church. Mainly self taught until 20, I got my first music lessons in Taller de Arte Sonoro; a Sound Engineering School in Caracas, Venezuela. My curiosity for music grew even more, and it took me to go for music as my main career in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I obtained my Major's degree in Popular Music and Master's degree in Music Education in Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. I have worked with important local artists in Panama and Puerto Rico, including recording projects, TV appearances, jazz festivals, and Grammy Awards. As an international artist, I participated on Master-Jam Festival (improvisation competition) in Odessa, Ukraine, 2013. As I earned the first place on Bass I enjoyed international recognition in the improvisation discipline. Now, I keep seeking for deepness and expressiveness in my music and playing as I consider it part of every musician's mission. Among my experiences , I have had the honor of having musical encounters with many artist such as: -Carlos Garnett, Danilo Pérez, David Cho, Panama Symphonic Orchestra (Panama). -Luis Marín, Humberto Ramírez, Miguel Zenón, Orbits Quintet, Jazz Posteao’ (Puerto Rico). -Live performance in Banff Centre with Orbits Quintet (Canada). -Latin Grammy Award appearance with Hip Hop artist Daddy Yankee (Las Vegas, USA) -Alan Weekes, Mario Bakuna, Andy Davies, Nigel Price, Williams Cumberbache, Bukky Leo, James Lawrence, Kanti Kena with Lokandes, Noemi Nuti (UK). I find myself working on an original music project which will reflect a self portrait of the last years.

Musicianship
Genres:
Jazz fusion, Jazz, Latin jazz, Modern jazz, Swing, Gospel, Dixieland, Blues, Gypsy jazz, Postmodern jukebox jazz, Cabaret, Pop, Acoustic, Americana, Funk rock, R&B, Soul, Covers, Funk, Brazilian music, Calypso, Choro, Caribbean music, Bossa nova, Cuban music, Cumbia, Merengue, Reggae, Salsa, Samba
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Private event, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Corporate event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
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Other skills:
Arranger, Composer, Transcription, Fluent sight-reader, Fluent improviser, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching
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