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Web Design by R.Wijetunge 2008
Hi and welcome to my website. My name is Roshan Wijetunge (pronounced Row-sharn Wee-Jay-Tun-ga), but I’m also known as Tosh. I am a musician living and working in the Bath / Bristol / Southwest UK region. I am principally a double-bassist (Contrabajista in Spanish hence the name of this site), but I also play electric bass, guitar and percussion in addition to being experienced in recording, composing, sequencing and sampling.
I am available for:
You can hear a selection of my music using the player located to the left of this page. If you are interested in collaborating, in need of a bass player for your session, gig or project, require a live band for your event, or would like to take a bass lesson, then please feel free to contact me.
I would describe myself as an experienced and versatile bassist, equally at home on stage or in the studio, playing upright or electric bass from jazz and funk to folk music. I am professional, reliable and passionate about what I do, and have built a reputation for solid, melodic and groovy playing, exciting improvisation and great musicianship.
My experience ranges from session recording for adverts to performing at festivals. I've worked with a great number of talented musicians in a plethora of musical styles and contexts, both in the UK and Barcelona in Spain. If you'd like to know more then please read my bio, browse my C.V. or get in touch.
I didn't
originally intend to be a professional musician, at least I didn't think
it was possible. I studied and worked as a mechanical engineer for several
years before I realised that what I really should be doing is playing
bass. My first musical experiences were with the trumpet as a young child,
I did a few grade exams, played in orchestras then gave up through lack
of inspiration - if only someone had played me some Donald Byrd back
then! I then graduated to guitar and slowly evolved through basic indie
rock jangling to reggae, funk and a little jazz before discovering the
joys of bass.
As a bassist,
my first professional project was the latin band K'Chevere,
which I co-founded in 2000 with 4 other players in Bath with the idea
of playing some traditional latin and salsa music. This band has since
grown to a 9 piece, and along the way we performed at events such as
Glastonbury and supported international artists such as Adalberto Santiago
and Da Lata. In 2003 I became involved in guitarist John Griffith's bossa
nova project Encanto, arranging his original compositions as well as
classic Brasilian tunes.
I took the step from electric to double bass in 2004, propelled by a growing interest in jazz and inspired by Dave Goodier, with whom I took lessons for a while. The desire to study eventually led me to Spain in 2005, I lived in the wonderful city of Barcelona and studied Jazz, music theory and double bass at Taller de Musics, a renowned modern music school. During that time I was taught by Manel Alvarez and played with a variety of projects, though the most fun was undoubtedlyLos Bala, a mix of jazz, funk, reggae and latin with a touch of circus. I also returned sporadically to the UK for work, which included recording with the renowned Kenyan nyatiti player Ayub Ogada for a Guinness advertising campaign that has since been broadcast internationally.
I moved
from Spain to Bristol in 2007, primarily to advance my musical career,
since then I have been gigging, recording and generally working with
a great variety of musicians in and around the Southwest of England.
I reside now in Bath, my current projects include The Dale Hambridge
Trio, a modern jazz group led by the very talented and versatile pianist
Dale Hambridge and with the equally impressive Mark Whitlam on drums, The
Warp Speed Orchestra, a new Bristol-based project mixing jazz, funk,
drum and bass, hip hop and electronica. I am doing some recording for The
Flamenco Collective, an exciting flamenco project masterminded by
Ivan Moreno and the great flamenco guitarist Cuffy,
and am also working with Joan Davis supporting
her True Voice vocal workshops as well as gigging with her. In addition
to this I put in regular performances in "random" jazz combos at a number
of venues and events throughout the area as well as depping for several
other bassists.
I have
been privileged to work with some very talented and great musicians,
including: Joan Davis, Ayub
Ogada, Ray D'Inverno, Tony
Roberts, Alex
Hutchins, Dale Hambridge,
Mark Whitlam, Kevin Figes, Jim Blomfield, John Paul Gard, Andy Nowak,
Andy Rogers, Iain Houston, Ben Blackmore, James Forester, Martin Jenkins,
Ian Matthews, Daisy Palmer, Luke Harney, Murph, Ivan Moreno,
Samuel Tornqvist, Shadz, Rachel Roberts to name but a few.
ROSHAN “TOSH” WIJETUNGE
Bassist, age 33, nationality British
www.myspace.com/doctortosh , www.contrabajista.com
INSTRUMENTS
HIGHLIGHTS
EXPERIENCE
Since 1999 I have been actively involved in numerous professional projects playing:
Some of the artists / bands I have been involved with include:
Some of the places I have played include:
I also give one-on-one tuition in electric and acoustic bass, music theory and improvisation
EDUCATION
RELAVENT SKILLS
Reading & writing music, improvising, recording, editing, mixing and mastering (experienced user of Cubase, Logic, Reason, Wavelab, Ableton and associated plug-ins), languages (fluent French and Spanish)
As an experienced teacher I offer tuition in both the double bass and electric bass. I tailor the lessons to suit individual requirements and cover all aspects of playing these instruments, including:
It's not just about being able to play that makes a good session musician, although this is essential. It's also about turning up on time, with the right gear, and being able to follow the producer / artists direction and ultimately deliver the goods.
As a musician who has recorded for adverts, band demos and electronica producers alike, I understand what is required to get great sounding results. I am available for session work on both double bass and electric bass (fretted and fretless), I read music and have experience in playing in a wide variety of styles, please contact me for further details.
Since 1999 I have built up a wealth of experience performing at weddings, parties, corporate and special events of all kinds. If you are thinking about booking a band for your event, then please get in touch. I am involved with several "off-the-shelf" bands (e.g. Salsa-band "K'Chevere", Jazz Trio "The Dale Hambridge Trio") or can arrange something custom to suit your requirments.
I work with a wide range of musicians and can organise a variety of music including:
Bands can be organised to suit venue, occasion and budget, from solo pianist, duo (e.g. double bass + piano), trio's , quartets up to big band.