Bass Musician Magazine - SPECIAL August 2014 Female Bassist Issue | Page 73
that... so, well, those are situations I can take
advantage of!
The legendary Carol Kaye has been very
inspiring as a female bassist; not only has she
enjoyed a great career as a musician but also
a ‘normal’ life as a woman.
Do you find that you constantly have to
prove yourself... as a musician, or a
musician that happens to be a female?
I like to think just as a musician.
What, if anything, would you do to
change the industry for female bassists?
The industry!
Do you feel, as a female bassist, that
you receive the professional respect
afforded male bassists?
Yes, maybe not at the very beginning, but today
I really feel the respect; after a 25 year career,
playing everywhere and still being here, well, I
sincerely think I have earned the respect... and
I made it on stage!
What specific challenges do you face as
a female bassist?
I don’t really think anymore about being a
female bassist. It’s just a matter of tradition.
Females discovered bass later than males, but
we are catching up fast! In Italy, I was one of
the first professional women bass players, so
hopefully I’ve opened a few doors for other
females in the future. It is definitely becoming
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