Welcome to my recording project fundraiser! For your consideration, I am looking for support for my recording that will contribute to jazz history and draw attention to the iconic jazz bassist, Oscar Pettiford. 

I have created an opportunity to record my first jazz record as a leader. I have been studying Oscar and his music for over 30 years! It’s time to make a record!

 My interests in the late Oscar Pettiford range from  admiration of his virtuosity as a self taught jazz musician before any jazz schools existed to gaining understanding of his major influence on the important bassists in jazz who came after and during OP’s reign, Milt Hinton, Ray Brown, Ron Carter and many others! 

 Oscar was a virtuoso jazz bassist who made history in the bebop jazz world from the 1940s and 1950s! His music continues to influence young jazz bassists to this day! 

Born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on September 30, 1922, OP met an untimely death on September 8, 1960, from a rare paralyzing disease caused by a polio-like virus. He was only 37 years young. Gone way too soon. 

I have been studying his music for 30+ years thanks to Volker Nahramm, who wrote a bass book called The Music of Oscar Pettiford Vol. I, 80 Bass Solos in 1988.

The great bassist, Jimmy Haslip has agreed to produce the record and we have been discussing the arrangements and logistics for many months. 

In order for this project to come into fruition, I would need to do a fundraising campaign. This is it! 

Friends, Colleagues, Jazz Enthusiasts, Musicians of any genre, Fellow Bassists, and anyone else that would like to help me make a record, please consider a donation. 

With the devastating events of the wildfires in Los Angeles, California, and all that it has disrupted in people's lives...I knew what I had to do with this record. I have decided to donate ALL the proceeds of my record to MusicCares and help musicians rebuild their lives after losing everything from their homes, their equipment, their studios...everything and anything that will help them rebuild the wonderful music community of Los Angeles! It's what I want to do and it's the right thing to do!

HOW WILL THE MONEY BE USED?  Any amount is greatly appreciated. The money raised will go to pay for the musicians, the studio time, the lodging, the mixing and mastering, the research involved, the arrangements, the airfare and ground travel for the musicians involved! The mixing and mastering of the project will be done in Los Angeles.

THE SALES AND PROCEEDS! Once the record is completed, the sales from streaming platforms, CD sales, and anything else that generates revenue regarding this recording will go directly to an account I have opened up with the MusiCares Charity! There will be a way to track this information through their website musicares.org. Reaching out to me on social media or via email will be options if you need any sort of paperwork regarding your donation and/or proof of where the proceeds are going.

Thank you for reading my story and Thank you in advance for your help!

 The Music of Oscar Pettiford recording and accompanying bass method book called "Walk before You Run...The Walking Bass Lines of Oscar Pettiford" will contribute to jazz education as well!

All the best,

Kurt