About Us
Two double-basses, two guitars,
one voice
one voice
Our Story, a few more words
Bass², a joyful quintet, was founded by vocalist Hetty Kate in Australia in 2019. An unusual ensemble, it features two double basses and two guitars, and they play a sparkling repertoire of classics and curiosities from the jazz canon.
All members are exceptional musicians who have reached a level of mastery that naturally translates to joyful freedom and playfulness on stage. Their enjoyment of the music, each other, and the moment creates a special magic when they play, always bringing the audience along for the ride.
Experiencing two double bassists harmonizing in a jazz setting is a delight seldom encountered, yet it's not without historical precedence. Classic albums like "Super Bass" (McBride, Clayton, and Brown), "Two Bass Hit" (McBride, Brown), and "We Three" (Pederson and Jones) showcase jazz bands that incorporate more than one bassist.
To continue with an 'Ode to the Bass', you will no doubt agree the double bass is a unique instrument that resonates with a warm, low, 'human-like' timbre. Its sonorous sound creates a distinct sonic space, offering a beautiful counterpoint to both human and guitar voices. And indeed, what could be better than one bass in a band? Undoubtedly, for Hetty, the answer is two!
Hetty had the idea of doubling instruments while recording 'Under Paris Skies' in 2019, a trio album with herself, James Sherlock on guitar, and Ben Hanlon on bass. Hetty was fascinated by the idea of an instrumentalist improvising with themselves and also intrigued by the idea of doubling an instrument to see how that altered the colors, the timing, and the voice.
All members are exceptional musicians who have reached a level of mastery that naturally translates to joyful freedom and playfulness on stage. Their enjoyment of the music, each other, and the moment creates a special magic when they play, always bringing the audience along for the ride.
Experiencing two double bassists harmonizing in a jazz setting is a delight seldom encountered, yet it's not without historical precedence. Classic albums like "Super Bass" (McBride, Clayton, and Brown), "Two Bass Hit" (McBride, Brown), and "We Three" (Pederson and Jones) showcase jazz bands that incorporate more than one bassist.
To continue with an 'Ode to the Bass', you will no doubt agree the double bass is a unique instrument that resonates with a warm, low, 'human-like' timbre. Its sonorous sound creates a distinct sonic space, offering a beautiful counterpoint to both human and guitar voices. And indeed, what could be better than one bass in a band? Undoubtedly, for Hetty, the answer is two!
Hetty had the idea of doubling instruments while recording 'Under Paris Skies' in 2019, a trio album with herself, James Sherlock on guitar, and Ben Hanlon on bass. Hetty was fascinated by the idea of an instrumentalist improvising with themselves and also intrigued by the idea of doubling an instrument to see how that altered the colors, the timing, and the voice.
During the initial recording of 'Under Paris Skies', James and Hetty began experimenting with multi-tracking, with James playing both his Sadowsky and Parlour guitars on a number of songs. This idea continued to develop, and soon bassist Ben Hanlon came onboard, beautifully multi-tracking his arrangements, essentially creating a bass section of one.
Recognizing the challenges of replicating this live, particularly acoustically, Hetty expanded the band to include two guitars and two double basses. She invited long-term friends and collaborators, bassist Ben Robertson and guitarist Sam Lemann to join the ensemble.
Last but certainly not least, Sam Lemann, James Sherlock, Ben Robertson, and Ben Hanlon have profoundly influenced Hetty's journey in jazz music, improvisation, and musicianship. She holds them all in high esteem, valuing them not only as mentors but also as treasured friends. Their curiosity, joy, and generosity in life, and most importantly, the music they make, bring a sense of delight to the quintet, infusing their beautiful music with a lightness and sense of divine play.
(The irony of both bassists being called Ben is not lost on any of them!)
Hetty Kate's Quintet, Bass2, has a broad repertoire of songs traversing the swing era, the bop era, and even into the 1970s. The quintet plays a charming selection of both arranged and unarranged standards with generous goodwill and effortless mastery. We hope to see you at a show.
Recognizing the challenges of replicating this live, particularly acoustically, Hetty expanded the band to include two guitars and two double basses. She invited long-term friends and collaborators, bassist Ben Robertson and guitarist Sam Lemann to join the ensemble.
Last but certainly not least, Sam Lemann, James Sherlock, Ben Robertson, and Ben Hanlon have profoundly influenced Hetty's journey in jazz music, improvisation, and musicianship. She holds them all in high esteem, valuing them not only as mentors but also as treasured friends. Their curiosity, joy, and generosity in life, and most importantly, the music they make, bring a sense of delight to the quintet, infusing their beautiful music with a lightness and sense of divine play.
(The irony of both bassists being called Ben is not lost on any of them!)
Hetty Kate's Quintet, Bass2, has a broad repertoire of songs traversing the swing era, the bop era, and even into the 1970s. The quintet plays a charming selection of both arranged and unarranged standards with generous goodwill and effortless mastery. We hope to see you at a show.
The Musicians
Ben Robertson • Double Bass
Double bassist Ben Robertson has been a mainstay of the Australian improvisation community for the last 30 years. He is a harmonic and listening musician, an asset to an ensemble as both an improvising soloist and spontaneous arranger, seeing the double bass in an expansive musical context that contributes to the dynamic nature of the improvising process beyond a single function.
In 2019, Ben commenced a PhD candidature at the Australian National University in the development of an imaginative melodic voice in improvised settings. He has performed nationally and internationally and holds degrees from The Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne University, Monash University, and the Australian National University. Despite being overlooked to open the bowling in the Australian cricket team, Ben continues to prepare for the unexpected in musical situations.
Visit: www.benrobertson.com.au
Ben Hanlon • Double Bass
“Hanlon (who is a string quartet on his own) is quite amazing." Michael Steinman (Jazz Lives) USA
Double bassist Ben Hanlon is a rare breed of musician, whose virtuosity and musicality enable him to move fluidly between his permanent position with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and a multitude of high-profile jazz ensembles. He has performed at most of the major festivals in Australia, and was recently featured as guest principal bassist on the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra’s 2016-17 tour of China. Ben has recorded jazz releases with James Sherlock, Hetty Kate, Hue Blanes, Bopstretch, Fem Belling, Nathan Slater, and appears on recordings with Missy Higgins, Julia Stone, and the Bamboos.
To round out this gamut of musical activity, Ben performs regularly as a chamber soloist, including recent performances with the Brodski quartet and Katie Noonan at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
Visit: Meet Ben Hanlon
Sam Lemann • Guitar
Guitarist Sam Lemann moved across Australia from Perth to Melbourne in 1990 following a tour with the Perth based band The Jam Tarts. Prior to this he won the 1983 National Guitar Competition at Tamworth at the age of 16 and led a busy musical life.
With a wide range of styles at his fingertips, Sam is the preferred choice of many singers and bandleaders for corporate events, cocktail bars, TV shows, lazy evening concerts, and the odd international or interstate junket. His swinging, country-tinged, south of the border sound can often be heard on a stage with Grace Knight, Andy Baylor, Tanya Lee, Leslie Avril, The Moovin’ & Groovin’ Orchestra, The B# Big Band, and many more groups around Melbourne and the country. As an aficionado of the ukulele, Sam spent many years visiting Hawaii and now makes this an annual tour to perform, learn more about the instrument, and appear on some television shows.
Visit: Sam Lemann Youtube
Sam Lemann • Guitar
“Sherlock is a wonderful guitarist, and a true craftsman of songs possessing both beauty and depth.” Ian Patterson: All About Jazz (USA)
Outstanding guitarist James Sherlock was born in Christchurch, New Zealand before moving to Brisbane, Australia as a young teenager and is now based in Melbourne. Known for his ability to convey a lyrical and luscious timbre on his instrument, James has an ongoing duo project with celebrated bassist Ben Hanlon, and has worked with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and a variety of Australia’s finest; as well as many visiting artists such as Leroy Jones, Sheila Jordan, Cyrille Aimee, Jon Riley, and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts.
James was awarded the Ike Isaacs International Jazz Guitar Award and as a bandleader has released nine albums as well as appearing on many more.
Visit: www.jamessherlock.com
