The skanner., June 17, 2015, Page 6, Image 6

Fellowship
Andrew Gouché: God’s Bass Man Releases Debut Album
By Dr. Valerie Wardlaw
Special to the NNPA from
the Los Angeles Sentinel
A
ndrew Gouché is all about the bass.
He is the real deal – just ask any mu-
sician anywhere in the world. He is
appropriately referred to as the Godfather
of Gospel Bass; a world-renowned bassist
whose skills have graced over 250 Gospel,
Jazz and R&B albums.
His talents are many, Grammy® Award
winning producer, musical director, com-
poser, and the list of those he’s played
with is endless, the late Rev. James Cleve-
land, the Hawkins Family, Andraé Crouch,
the Winans, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, the
Mississippi Mass Choir, BeBe and CeCe
Winans, Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston,
Madonna, Donna Summer, Michael Jack-
son, Snoop Dogg and Prince.
A self-taught artist, Gouché grew up sur-
rounded by music in the church. His grand-
father was a pastor, his mother sang in the
choir and he literally honed his craft at the
side of musicians who played for the minis-
try of Rev. Cleveland.
“I played the trumpet first, but I begged
Andrew Gouché
I always have to give him credit.I would
sit on the side and try to figure out the bass
lines and Rev. Cleveland allowed me to do
that.”
Gouché began to play professionally at
the age of sixteen. “I would go to church-
‘I literally taught myself how to play bass at James
Cleveland’s church and that’s why I always have
to give him credit.I would sit on the side and try
to figure out the bass lines and Rev. Cleveland
allowed me to do that’
my mother to buy me a bass when I was
15-years-old after seeing Larry Graham
(Graham Central Station) play on Soul
Train,” recalled Gouché.
“I literally taught myself how to play bass
at James Cleveland’s church and that’s why
es and ask if they needed a bass player and
the answer was usually no. Most churches
at that time used the organ to play the bass
line,” hence the title of his first solo project,
‘We Don’t Need No Bass.’
After 41 years of performing with others,
Page 6 June 17, 2015 The Portland and Seattle Skanner
Gouché decided it was time to showcase his
musical gift. “I started writing songs for my-
self in 1999. People would ask me when
was I going to record a solo project but as
an artist and producer, I was still growing,”
Gouché said.
“My album is coming out at the time when
it’s supposed to come out. I can say that
I have developed as a producer and as an
arranger.”
For Gouché, an artist who is used to per-
forming in the background, moving to cen-
ter stage has been a process. “I had to learn
to look at myself as a solo artist. I remember
when I had my first solo performance and
I thought, ‘Oh wow, someone has to talk’
and I remembered that it was me who had
to talk.”
‘We Don’t Need No Bass’ was officially
released on iTunes, on June 9. “I’m excited
and I get butterflies when I think about my
music. Where I am now is a road that I hav-
en’t travelled down before.”
‘We Don’t Need No Bass’ has been a labor
of love for Gouché and his wife Kelly, one
of the producers on the album. “My wife has
truly been amazing on this project. Without
her, this album would still be a thought in
my mind.”
“This album is my musical life,” Gouché
said. “When I think about it, I remember
the first gospel album I ever bought, Andraé
Crouch, ‘Live in London.’ I would play it
every day and read the credits and wonder
what it would be like to meet these artists
and to think that God has allowed me to play
with them is truly surreal.
“I realized that it didn’t have to be me and
I am eternally grateful to God. Music is like
talking and this project is my heart speak-
ing, and that’s what I hope listeners will ex-
perience.”
‘We Don’t Need No Bass’ is available on
iTunes.com.
Andrew Gouché will perform at the
2015 Long Beach Jazz Festival. For in-
formation, visit longbeachjazzfestival.
com. Follow Andrew Gouché on Twitter @
AndrewGouche and on Facebook.com/An-
drew-Gouche.
IN MEMORY OF
Lloyd Nelson Woods
December 31, 1952 - June 5, 2015
W
e mourn the
Skanner,” said The Skan-
passing
of
ner Editor, Bobbie Dore
loving
hus-
Foster.
band, brother and uncle,
Lloyd was an avid
Lloyd Woods. After a
reader, a great cook, and
long career in journal-
a lover of all animals.
ism, including at The
He enjoyed camping and
Skanner News from
communing with nature,
1997 to 2001, Lloyd
and spent many days
continued to be an active
hiking and enjoying this
member of his commu-
beautiful world we all
nity. He was a long-term
share.
volunteer for Meals on
Lloyd is missed by
Wheels and served as a
family, friends, and those
Lloyd Woods
certified
Ombudsman
whose lives he touched
for the State Office of
with his boundless spirit.
Longterm Care. He helped many peo-
Lloyd was preceded in death by his par-
ple with his open and generous heart as ents; Lloyd Nelson Woods, Sr. and Mar-
he was kind and always wanted to help garet Wagner Woods, and by his brother,
those in need.
Robert Woods. Lloyd is survived by his
“Lloyd was a dedicated, meticulous loving spouse, Charlene Woods; sisters,
news editor. He was kind and generous, Debbie Woods Braciszewski, Susan
giving unselfishly to young reporters. He Woods Perry, and nephews Christopher
worked diligently on every publication, Braciszewski and Robbie Braciszewski.
was not afraid to tackle difficult issues, His light will be missed.
emphasizing. balance in every story. He
Please visit www.batemancarrollfuner-
made a significant contribution to The als.com to leave your condolences.