We're thrilled to introduce Dr Funk, an exceptional bass player whose groove and skill have electrified the air around him.

Dr Funk has played on the streets his whole life until he went viral on the internet, which gave him a push to give this thing a go. He has now played alongside some of the best musicians in the world, such as Marcus Miller, on the smooth jazz cruise and has moved to the USA to further progress his career as a Bass player.

We couldn’t be more excited to have such an inspiring artist join the Ashen Family. Welcome, Dr. Funk—let the groove begin!

David Pastorius is a bass guitarist born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, residing in Melbourne, Florida, USA. David is the nephew of world-renowned American jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius.

David began playing bass guitar at 15 after a friend inspired him with the Red Hot Chili Peppers' cover of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground." At 17, he joined his first band, FHM (The Fleshy Headed Mutants), and started performing Heavy Metal originals and covers with local musicians.

David performed on the album Jaco Pastorius Big Band Word of Mouth Revisited, a tribute to Jaco Pastorius, released on August 23, 2003, by Ohio record label Heads Up International. The album featured performances by David, along with popular bassists Victor Bailey, Richard Bona, Jeff Carswell, Jimmy Haslip, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller, Gerald Veasley, and Victor Wooten.

In 2009, David joined the Southern punk/funk band Elephant Gun with Trevor Prince on guitar and vocals and Tom Van Dyke on drums. The members had stemmed from local Florida bands Local 518, Goliath, and Big Orange Nitty Gritty. Elephant Gun hosted open mic events on December 17, 2011; while performing with Elephant Gun at Off The Traxx Sports Bar in Melbourne, Florida, David suffered a heart attack. He later had two stents placed in his arteries. On January 21, 2012, Baroos Beachside Bar in Indialantic held a benefit concert featuring six bands to support David and his family during his recovery.

On July 31, 2011 David performed live alongside drummer Keith LeBlanc and guitarist Eric Gales for the concert event Eric Gales + Voodoo Chile - A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City.

David Sutkin - hailing from Brooklyn, NY, David Sutkin is a bass player with over four decades of experience. This journey started when he was 12, inspired by advice from his jazz saxophonist father, who said, “If you always want to work, be a bass player with solid chops.” And work he did.

In the music scene, David is a crucial member of the Brooklyn-based band Apollos Ghost which has three albums and another in the works.

But David’s contributions to the bass community don’t stop there. In 2021 he founded Bass Upfront on Facebook, a group aimed at connecting bass players, luthiers, and music enthusiasts. This inclusive, respectful platform has over 15,000 members and is growing constantly. Thanks to the efforts of David and his team Bass Upfront looks set to be the next big thing in the world of the bass guitar. 

Looking ahead, David plans to grow the community further. He hopes to travel, exploring global music cultures and amplifying Bass Upfront through a new website, a YouTube channel, and a stronger Instagram presence.

For anyone interested in bass and seeking a vibrant community, David encourages joining the Bass Upfront Facebook group. It’s a hub for bass discussions, performances, and knowledge sharing, making it a go-to place for bass enthusiasts.

Carlo Tanori - Carlo's bass journey began in high school, where he studied with three influential teachers, including the late Herb Mickman, former bassist for Sarah Vaughan. He honed his craft in jazz ensembles at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. “I’ll never forget my years at Chaffey with some of the most amazing young musicians,” Carlo recalls.

In the early '80s, he joined the Andrew-Schafer Group, transitioning from jazz fusion to the Top 40 circuit. After playing in several groups, he became a member of Suave in 2004. For over 20 years, he has also performed with Suavé the Band and, since June 2023, has been part of "The Rhythm Is Gonna Get U!"—a Gloria Estefan tribute.

His influences include Nathan East, Abraham Laboriel, Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller, and Brian Bromberg. Carlo’s passion for music shines through in every performance! Facebook: ctanori Instagram: @bigsmoothbass63 suavetheband.com

Giulia Pantano is the bassist for Central Valley rock band AWARE. The 21-year-old got the call to join the band in April 2023 and has not looked back since. The grungey covers the band has recently added to their repertoire are her influence, with her favorite artists being Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Cold, Jerry Cantrell, KISS, Extreme, Skid Row, and George Harrison. Her biggest bass influences are Rachel Bolan, Mike Inez, Cliff Burton, and Pat Badger. Although she is very quiet, her art speaks volumes. She has played bass for over 8 years and will graduate from Sacramento State University in 2025 with a Graphic Design BFA. She is the artist behind the artwork featured on the band’s social media pages.

Andrew Edwards is the bassist and songwriter for the Northern California rock band Red Voodoo. Known for his energetic playing and creative songwriting, Andrew has already made waves in the music scene, having performed with legendary rock icon Sammy Hagar.

His passion for rock music and dedication to his craft set him apart as a rising star. With big opportunities on the horizon, Andrew is poised for a bright future, both with Red Voodoo and in his own musical journey. Now, as part of the Ashen Amplification family, Andrew’s sound and impact are sure to grow even more.

Hunter Daws is a versatile bassist whose playing seamlessly blends funk, blues, jazz, rock, and a variety of other genres. His musical journey spans years of performing and recording across a multitude of styles, including a notable recording on a George Clinton album. Currently, Hunter plays with and sits in for several bands, including Black Jacket, Pharoahs of Funk, Upside Avenue, and The Tobacco Road Band. With the latter, he's sharing stages opening for major artists like Jason Aldean, Jake Owen, Brantley Gilbert, Cole Swindell, and more. Hunter's dynamic musicianship continues to leave an indelible mark on every project he touches.

Mark Knell is the bassist for the Los Angeles-based band "Daddy & the Innocents". With 46 years of experience as a bassist, Mark's deep-rooted passion for music and his "in the pocket" playing style have become key elements of the band’s dynamic sound. Daddy & the Innocents are known for delivering powerful, high-energy performances, covering iconic rock hits from the 1960s through the 2000s. Whether it's laying down the rhythmic foundation or driving the groove, Mark’s seasoned musicianship continues to keep the spirit of classic rock alive.

Edo Castro is a talented and innovative bassist known for his mastery of extended-range basses, particularly the 7- and 9-string basses, which allow him a unique, orchestral approach to the instrument. He combines jazz, funk, fusion, and world music in his compositions, showcasing a highly expressive style that resonates with bass enthusiasts and music lovers alike.

Castro has collaborated with a wide array of artists and brings a wealth of experience to his performances and recordings. With several albums to his name, including Phoenix and Sacred Graffiti, he is celebrated for his musical depth, technical prowess, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of the bass guitar’s potential.

Zach Johnson is the founding bassist of The SwankMasters and a proud Ashen Amplification artist. Known for his dynamic playing style and magnetic stage presence, Zach brings an undeniable energy to every performance. As the driving force behind The SwankMasters, he has gathered a talented lineup to create a sound that’s both powerful and unforgettable. With his Ashen amp backing him, Zach delivers deep, rich tones that enhance the band’s unique vibe. Fans are drawn to his passion and skill, making each show an unforgettable experience.

Jeremy 'Jerms' Wales, a bassist with 23 years of experience, is based in Spokane, Washington. A multi-instrumentalist, he also plays guitar, piano, trombone, tuba, baritone, and harmonica, but bass is his main profession. With training in advanced music theory and two years of study at Eastern Washington University, he’s skilled in reading sheet music and audio production using Reason software. Jerms composes neoclassical-style solo bass pieces with a multi-looper and frequently collaborates remotely with other artists. His diverse style spans jazz, hip-hop, metal, symphonic, funk, alternative, and progressive rock, and he regularly performs live.

Social Media:

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Isaac Vizenor is a bassist and content creator, known for his work with the ska/punk band Simple Solution and a career rooted in thrash and metal. At 54, he brings decades of experience, blending aggression and precision in his bass playing, perfectly suited to punk and metal genres.

Through his YouTube channel, Thorshammer, Isaac shares bass tutorials, gear reviews, and insights into his musical journey, inspiring musicians along the way. He plays Spector and Epiphone basses, valued for their powerful tone and reliability, as he continues to grow as both a performer and educator.

Started at the age 12 years from Youngstown Ohio Josue started his path on the the bass as a chruch musician learning and gaining knowledge from his mentors several years later Josue move to Florida were his career started to take off getting recognized by local artists Josue plays in numerous events up to crowd up to the three thousand Josue aslo share and play with Grammy award winner Samuel Hernandez Josue also work with Mada studio on new and upcoming artists Josue nows plays at Jasmine Lakes with the group Una Vos Josue used Tom Martinson Basses.

https://madastudios.net/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2LXfiR9ptGauEmhhOgPGG229XYNHnsKWtXBvAXjmL-Tv3lFAZ2gWJQU50_aem_HmkveMKAomvl6dRxUf7nVg

https://www.facebook.com/tom.martinsonbasses?mibextid=ZbWKwL

https://www.facebook.com/josue.soto.3781?mibextid=ZbWKwL 

Caleb Fortney- Bassist for Inside Out | Florida

A seasoned bassist with over 20 years of experience, Caleb Fortney has been a staple in Florida's local music scene, playing a variety of genres across countless gigs. Known for his adaptability and solid rhythm, Caleb's versatility has made him a go-to musician for bar and club performances. As a member of Inside Out, he continues to bring his passion for music and commitment to the stage, delivering energetic and engaging performances for all types of audiences.

Steve McDonald, founder and master luthier of Steve McDonald Basses, is a visionary in bass guitar design. Combining a passion for music and woodworking, Steve creates instruments that inspire bass players worldwide.

Starting as a bassist, his pursuit of perfect tone and feel led to crafting his own instruments—a passion that grew into a career. Known for innovative design, stunning aesthetics, and exceptional playability, Steve personally selects premium tonewoods and collaborates with customers to create custom, one-of-a-kind basses.

With decades of experience, Steve’s handcrafted basses are celebrated for their quality and artistry, solidifying his reputation as a pioneer in the craft.

John Cardone is a Long Island NY based bass player.

John has a wide range of musical influences which has benefited his playing abilities over the years studying players such as Chris Squire, Greg Lake, John Wetton, Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Bootsy Collins and James Jamerson to name a few to take the best of those icons and meld his own style.

He played in the critically acclaimed touring band The Sixties Show for 10 years.

John is also a member of the prestigious fraternity, Know Your Bass Player (KYPB) founded by Tom Semioli and Mark Preston.

He has found a niche playing with several singer songwriters on Long Island, most notably, multi gold and platinum recording artist John Ford, a founding member of the Iconic British Prog Folk band The Strawbs.

Other outstanding singer songwriters John works with are Mark Newman (John Oates, Willy DeVille, Sam Moore, Blues Project) in both his original band, The Mark Newman Band and his Little Feat tribute project, Sailin Shoes, Mike Barry (The Mike Barry Band), and Mike Nugent and The Blue Moon Band.