Bass Musician Magazine - SPECIAL August 2014 Female Bassist Issue | Page 146

KIM
Interview by Vuyani Wakaba

Kim Clarke
kimclarke.8m.com
facebook.com/kim.clarke.9634
youtube.com/2dkoda
Twitter @k8ladyb
Video
RELAXIN”@ THE CAMARILLO
WITH JOE HENDERSON JOANNE
BRACKEEN Q-TET 1986
MAGNETS! JAZZ FUNK
WORLDBEAT BAND 2013
DEFUNKT MILLENIUM 2010
DEFUNKT with Richard Martin
(RIP)1981-2?

Among professional bass players, there are a
few whose names garner respect by the sheer
mention of their names. These elite bassists
have stellar reputations and an impressive
list of accomplishments. Some of these great
players have household names, and are often
referred to by just their first names. Others, who
have earned their position in this illustrious
group of musicians, are not as widely known
as they should be.
I am incredibly honored to write about my
long-time friend, New York City bassist Kim
Clarke. I have admired her musicianship
from the first day I met her over a decade ago.
My introduction to Kim and her incredible
abilities included watching her learn a new
tune backstage, minutes before she had to
perform it in a full auditorium. I then got to
see her play the song like she wrote it! I was
blown away!
Kim Clarke is a New York City based bassist
who doubles equally well on the electric bass
as she does on the acoustic bass. Aside from
her work in the New York jazz scene, Kim often
can be found performing across the United
States and all over the world. On the electric
bass, Kim is known to be among the funkiest
bassists in New York. On upright bass, Clarke