By Elisha Dang
When it comes to taking your passion to the next level, there are few that have come as far as the talented Conrad Korsch. Conrad’s notable credits include movies, Broadway performances, television, and working with many well known musicians. Some of the Mafia members had the pleasure of meeting Conrad during Fashion Week and we are pleased that we can join him for his CD release party for “Live Love Leave” this month.
Women’s Mafia: With a repertoire that consists of acoustic and electric bassist/multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and educator, tell us how you do it all.
Playing bass is the main thing that pays my bills. When I’m not on tour with Rod Stewart I work with other well-known and not so well-known artists in live concerts, in the studio, on TV, etc, as well as running around NYC playing in Broadway pits, jingle studios, private parties, jazz gigs, and some teaching at the collegiate level. About 1/2 dozen years ago I started a music production studio called “Scrumptious Music” which, in addition to recording bass tracks for people, I’ve used to compose and record music on a variety of instruments for various commercial enterprises, as well as produce my own record and music for other artists.
Women’s Mafia: With credits including playing with Rod Stewart, Carly Simon, Andrea Bocelli, Bette Midler, and Clay Aiken, to name a few, is there any one that inspired you to go on to to release “Live Love Leave”?
I wouldn’t necessarily say that any one of them has specifically inspired me to release my CD, but I’ve learned alot from having worked with all of them in the supportive role of their bassist, and Rod has been particularly selfless and supportive of me in my musical endeavors outside of his band, which is great. This record was a departure from my “bass” world and gave me a chance to contribute on a much broader level by writing all of the music and lyrics, singing, playing many different instruments and even arranging and conducting a string quartet.
Women’s Mafia: When did you realize you could make your passion your career?
I honestly never considered any other options. By the time I finished college (I earned a B.A. in Jazz Bass Performance from Temple University) I was already supporting by myself playing music and never looked back.
Women’s Mafia: Where are you from? Where do you live? What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
I was born and raised in Philadelphia, moved to Manhattan 2 months after graduating college, and I’ve already been here 15 years…in Harlem on the west side for the last 5. With all the touring I do, people often ask me where my favorite place is and I always say New York City. I’m sure it has something to do with being “home”, but NYC is undeniably one of the best cities in the world, and if I really thought someplace else was more interesting I’d probably be there!
Women’s Mafia: What can the Women’s Mafia make happen for you?
Help spread the word about my independantly released CD “Live Love Leave” (and CD Release Party/Concert at Joe’s Pub 1/24/10 @ 7:30pm!) to creative and intelligent people who can appreciate a unique and intimate collection of music and stories as an alternative to the commercial offerings we are all exposed to without the help of a hip magazine like Women’s Mafia!
For more information, please visit:
www.conradkorsch.com
For tickets to the CD Release Party/Concert:
http://tickets.publictheater.org/calendar/view.asp?id=11845
