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{{Short description|Australian bass player and singer}}
{{Short description|Australian musician}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Tal Wilkenfeld
| name = Tal Wilkenfeld
| image = Tal Wilkenfeld.jpg
| image = Tal Wilkenfeld.jpg
| caption = Wilkenfeld performing in November 2008
| caption = Wilkenfeld performing in 2008
| background = solo_singer
| background = solo_singer
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|12|2|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|12|2|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Bondi, New South Wales]], Australia
| birth_place = [[Bondi, New South Wales]], Australia
| instrument = Bass, guitar, vocals
| instrument = Bass, vocals
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[blues rock]], [[folk music|folk]], [[indie rock]], [[funk]], [[jazz]], [[jazz fusion]], [[folk rock]]
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[blues rock]], [[folk music|folk]], [[indie rock]], [[funk]], [[jazz]], [[jazz fusion]], [[folk rock]]
| occupation = Musician, composer, [[bandleader]]
| occupation = Musician, songwriter, bandleader
| label = [[BMG Rights Management|BMG]]
| label = [[BMG Rights Management|BMG]]
| years_active = 2002–present
| years_active = 2002–present
| website = {{URL|talwilkenfeld.com}}
}}
}}


'''Tal Wilkenfeld''' (born 2 December 1986) is an [[Australians|Australian]] singer, songwriter, [[bassist]], and guitarist. She has performed with artists including [[Jeff Beck]], [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], [[Incubus (band)|Incubus]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Herbie Hancock]], and [[Mick Jagger]]. In 2008, Wilkenfeld was voted "The Year's Most Exciting New Player" in a ''[[Bass Player (magazine)|Bass Player]]'' magazine readers' choice poll. In 2013, Wilkenfeld was awarded the ''Bass Player'' magazine's "Young Gun Award" by [[Don Was]]; she then performed "[[New Skin for the Old Ceremony|Chelsea Hotel]]" by [[Leonard Cohen]].
'''Tal Wilkenfeld''' (born 2 December 1986) is an Australian bassist, singer and songwriter. She has performed with artists including [[Chick Corea]], [[Jeff Beck]], [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], [[Incubus (band)|Incubus]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Herbie Hancock]], [[Toto (band)]], and [[Mick Jagger]]. In 2008, Wilkenfeld was voted "The Year's Most Exciting New Player" in a ''[[Bass Player (magazine)|Bass Player]]'' magazine readers' choice poll. In 2013, Wilkenfeld was awarded the ''Bass Player'' magazine's "Young Gun Award" by [[Don Was]]; she then performed "[[New Skin for the Old Ceremony|Chelsea Hotel]]" by [[Leonard Cohen]].


Wilkenfeld is a [[bandleader]] of her own bands in which she sings, plays [[bass guitar|bass]], and plays [[guitar]]. In earlier work, she was backed by musicians such as [[Wayne Krantz]] and [[Vinnie Colaiuta]]. She opened for [[the Who]] on the [[North America|North American]] part of [[The Who Hits 50!]] tour in 2016.<ref name="bassplayer1">{{cite web|title=Tal Wilkenfeld 2016 tour|url=http://www.bassplayer.com/artists/1171/tal-wilkenfeld-to-open-for-the-who-for-2016-tour/56387|website=bassplayer|publisher=NewBay Media|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref> In 2016, she released a single entitled "Corner Painter" featuring [[Blake Mills]] and [[Benmont Tench]].<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{cite web|title=Meet the Who's Opening Act: Bass Sensation Tal Wilkenfeld|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/premieres/meet-the-whos-opening-act-bass-sensation-tal-wilkenfeld-20160303|website=rollingstone|date=3 March 2016|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> Also in 2016, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' said that Wilkenfeld was "working on new music that sees her evolving from an instrumental prodigy into a formidable singer-songwriter."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Meet the Who's Opening Act: Bass Sensation Tal Wilkenfeld|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=3 March 2016|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/meet-the-whos-opening-act-bass-sensation-tal-wilkenfeld-223508/}}</ref> On 15 March 2019, Wilkenfeld released her vocal debut album ''Love Remains'',<ref name="billboard1">{{cite magazine|title=Bass Ace Tal Wilkenfeld Branches Out With Solo 'Killing Me': Premiere|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=29 January 2019|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8495526/tal-wilkenfeld-killing-me}}</ref> which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseeker charts on the first week of its release.<ref name="billboard2">{{cite magazine|title= Billboard Heatseeker Charts: Premiere|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> ''Love Remains'' has been highly praised by the press and was featured in ''Rolling Stone'', ''[[Relix]]'', ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'', [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']], and ''[[Forbes]]''. ''Rolling Stone'' described her vocal debut as having "ten dense, riff-heavy tracks with brazen, introspective lyrics—prove her songwriting abilities."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Tal Wilkenfeld: A Bass Virtuoso Steps into the Spotlight|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=31 May 2019|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/evolution-of-tal-wilkenfeld-836975/}}</ref> Wilkenfeld has also been a guest on popular podcasts, including ''[[WTF with Marc Maron]],'' and [[Bill Burr]]'s ''[[Monday Morning Podcast]]''.
Wilkenfeld is a bandleader of her own bands in which she sings, plays bass, and plays guitar. In earlier work, she was backed by musicians such as [[Wayne Krantz]] and [[Vinnie Colaiuta]]. She opened for [[the Who]] on the [[North America]]n part of [[The Who Hits 50!]] tour in 2016.<ref name="bassplayer1">{{cite web|title=Tal Wilkenfeld 2016 tour|url=http://www.bassplayer.com/artists/1171/tal-wilkenfeld-to-open-for-the-who-for-2016-tour/56387|website=bassplayer|publisher=NewBay Media|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref> In 2016, she released a single entitled "Corner Painter" featuring [[Blake Mills]] and [[Benmont Tench]].<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{cite web|title=Meet the Who's Opening Act: Bass Sensation Tal Wilkenfeld|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/premieres/meet-the-whos-opening-act-bass-sensation-tal-wilkenfeld-20160303|website=rollingstone|date=3 March 2016|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> Also in 2016, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' said that Wilkenfeld was "working on new music that sees her evolving from an instrumental prodigy into a formidable singer-songwriter."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Meet the Who's Opening Act: Bass Sensation Tal Wilkenfeld|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=3 March 2016|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/meet-the-whos-opening-act-bass-sensation-tal-wilkenfeld-223508/}}</ref> On 15 March 2019, Wilkenfeld released her vocal debut album ''Love Remains'',<ref name="billboard1">{{cite magazine|title=Bass Ace Tal Wilkenfeld Branches Out With Solo 'Killing Me': Premiere|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=29 January 2019|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8495526/tal-wilkenfeld-killing-me}}</ref> which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseeker charts on the first week of its release.<ref name="billboard2">{{cite magazine|title= Billboard Heatseeker Charts: Premiere|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> ''Love Remains'' has been highly praised by the press and was featured in ''Rolling Stone'', ''[[Relix]]'', ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'', [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']], and ''[[Forbes]]''. ''Rolling Stone'' described her vocal debut as having "ten dense, riff-heavy tracks with brazen, introspective lyrics—prove her songwriting abilities."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Tal Wilkenfeld: A Bass Virtuoso Steps into the Spotlight|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=31 May 2019|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/evolution-of-tal-wilkenfeld-836975/}}</ref> Wilkenfeld has also been a guest on popular podcasts, including ''[[WTF with Marc Maron]],'' and [[Bill Burr]]'s ''[[Monday Morning Podcast]]''.


Wilkenfeld has recorded on projects with [[Ringo Starr]], [[Brian Wilson]], [[Toto (band)|Toto]], [[Todd Rundgren]], [[Macy Gray]], [[Dr. John]], [[Trevor Rabin]], [[Jackson Browne]], [[Joe Walsh]], [[Rod Stewart]], [[John Mayer]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Ben Harper]], [[David Gilmour]], [[Pharrell]], [[Buddy Guy]], [[Billy Gibbons]], [[Lee Ritenour]], [[Hiram Bullock]], [[Susan Tedeschi]], and [[Hans Zimmer]].
Wilkenfeld has recorded on projects with [[Ringo Starr]], [[Brian Wilson]], [[Toto (band)|Toto]], [[Todd Rundgren]], [[Macy Gray]], [[Dr. John]], [[Trevor Rabin]], [[Jackson Browne]], [[Joe Walsh]], [[Rod Stewart]], [[John Mayer]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Ben Harper]], [[David Gilmour]], [[Pharrell]], [[Buddy Guy]], [[Billy Gibbons]], [[Lee Ritenour]], [[Hiram Bullock]], [[Susan Tedeschi]], and [[Hans Zimmer]], and [[Playing for Change]] with [[Carlos Santana]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
Born in [[Bondi, New South Wales]],<ref name="CJ@BPreTW">{{Cite news|title=Tal Wilkenfeld: Thunder From Down Under|author=Jisi, Chris|date=October 8, 1976|work=Bass Player|pages=48–51|quote=Born in 1985 in Bondi, Ausiralia, a beach suburb of Sydney, Tal had an early ear for music, humming along with Vivaldi. At age 14 she began guitar lessons, learning all the open chords and writing a song the first day. A year later, she heard and met Victor Wooten at a Béla Fleck & the Flecktones concert and became smitten with bass, as well. Firmly focused on becoming a musician and studying in the U.S. (and with the help of faculty member/Australian guitar god Frank Gambale), she headed to Pasadena at age 16 to attend the Los Angeles Music Academy. Following six months of guitar studies, she switched to bass for her second year at LAMA. While jamming at the 2003 NAMM Show, Tal was noticed by famed New York bass builder Roger Sadowsky, who gave her an endorsement. Upon coming to New York City to check on her Sadowsky bass, she met two of her musical heroes, Anthony Jackson and guitarist Wayne Krantz. By spring 2004, Tal had moved to Manhattan and was soon playing in jazz clubs with Hiram Bullock, Kenwood Dennard, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, and others.|id={{ProQuest|199959496}}}}</ref> Wilkenfeld began playing [[guitar]] in 2000 when she was 14 years old. Two years later, she dropped out of high school and emigrated to the [[United States]],<ref name="McCulley">McCulley, Jerry 2 August 2008 [http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/meet-tal-wilkenfeld-jeff-becks/ Meet Tal Wilkenfeld, Jeff Beck’s Young Aussie Bass Prodigy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906214452/http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/meet-tal-wilkenfeld-jeff-becks/ |date=6 September 2008 }}</ref> where she studied [[electric guitar]]. Within a year, Wilkenfeld switched to [[Bass guitar|electric bass]].<ref name="smh_aceofbass">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/just-doing-her-thing/2007/04/27/1177459975500.html|title=Ace of bass just doing her thing|date=28 April 2007|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|first=Paul|last=Bibby}}</ref> In 2004, Wilkenfeld graduated from [[Los Angeles College of Music]]. She accepted an endorsement from [[Sadowsky|Sadowsky Guitars]], and devoted herself to forming a band and composing songs. At the age of 18, Wilkenfeld moved to [[New York City]] and began performing in New York's jazz clubs.<ref name="CJ@BPreTW"/>
Born in [[Bondi, New South Wales]],<ref name="CJ@BPreTW">{{Cite news|title=Tal Wilkenfeld: Thunder From Down Under|author=Jisi, Chris|date=8 October 1976|work=Bass Player|pages=48–51|quote=Born in 1985 in Bondi, Ausiralia, a beach suburb of Sydney, Tal had an early ear for music, humming along with Vivaldi. At age 14 she began guitar lessons, learning all the open chords and writing a song the first day. A year later, she heard and met Victor Wooten at a Béla Fleck & the Flecktones concert and became smitten with bass, as well. Firmly focused on becoming a musician and studying in the U.S. (and with the help of faculty member/Australian guitar god Frank Gambale), she headed to Pasadena at age 16 to attend the Los Angeles Music Academy. Following six months of guitar studies, she switched to bass for her second year at LAMA. While jamming at the 2003 NAMM Show, Tal was noticed by famed New York bass builder Roger Sadowsky, who gave her an endorsement. Upon coming to New York City to check on her Sadowsky bass, she met two of her musical heroes, Anthony Jackson and guitarist Wayne Krantz. By spring 2004, Tal had moved to Manhattan and was soon playing in jazz clubs with Hiram Bullock, Kenwood Dennard, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, and others.|id={{ProQuest|199959496}}}}</ref> Wilkenfeld began playing guitar in 2000 when she was 14 years old. Two years later, she dropped out of high school and emigrated to the United States,<ref name="McCulley">McCulley, Jerry 2 August 2008 [http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/meet-tal-wilkenfeld-jeff-becks/ Meet Tal Wilkenfeld, Jeff Beck’s Young Aussie Bass Prodigy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906214452/http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/meet-tal-wilkenfeld-jeff-becks/ |date=6 September 2008 }}</ref> where she studied electric guitar. Within a year, Wilkenfeld switched to electric bass.<ref name="smh_aceofbass">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/just-doing-her-thing/2007/04/27/1177459975500.html|title=Ace of bass just doing her thing|date=28 April 2007|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|first=Paul|last=Bibby}}</ref> In 2004, Wilkenfeld graduated from [[Los Angeles College of Music]]. She accepted an endorsement from [[Sadowsky|Sadowsky Guitars]], and devoted herself to forming a band and composing songs. At the age of 18, Wilkenfeld moved to New York City and began performing in New York's jazz clubs.<ref name="CJ@BPreTW"/>


==Early career==
==Early career==
While playing at a club in [[New York City|New York]] in 2006, Wilkenfeld met some members of [[the Allman Brothers Band]]. She credits [[Oteil Burbridge]] and [[Derek Trucks]] with encouraging her to join them at the [[Beacon Theatre (New York City)|Beacon Theatre]],<ref name=Shelter>{{cite web|last1=Shelter|first1=Matthew|title=Tal Wilkenfeld Paints The Corners|url=http://www.jambands.com/features/2016/03/19/tal-wilkenfeld-paints-the-corners/|website=jambands|date=19 March 2016|access-date=3 May 2016}}</ref> her first time on a large stage. The [[jam session|jam]] was about 40 minutes long; Wilkenfeld sent a recording of the performance to Jeff Beck when she auditioned for his band.
While playing at a club in New York in 2006, Wilkenfeld met some members of [[the Allman Brothers Band]]. She credits [[Oteil Burbridge]] and [[Derek Trucks]] with encouraging her to join them at the [[Beacon Theatre (New York City)|Beacon Theatre]],<ref name=Shelter>{{cite web|last1=Shelter|first1=Matthew|title=Tal Wilkenfeld Paints The Corners|url=http://www.jambands.com/features/2016/03/19/tal-wilkenfeld-paints-the-corners/|website=jambands|date=19 March 2016|access-date=3 May 2016}}</ref> her first time on a large stage. The jam was about 40 minutes long; Wilkenfeld sent a recording of the performance to Jeff Beck when she auditioned for his band.


In 2006, months after performing as a guest with [[the Allman Brothers Band]], Wilkenfeld recorded her debut album, ''[[Transformation (Tal Wilkenfeld album)|Transformation]]'', in only two days.<ref name="Wilkenfeld">{{cite web| url=http://www.talwilkenfeld.com/ |title=Tal Wilkenfeld official website |publisher=Talwilkenfeld.com |access-date=2011-09-14}}</ref> Wilkenfeld composed, produced, [[Arrangement|arranged]] and played bass on seven songs with [[Wayne Krantz]], [[Geoffrey Keezer]], saxophonist Seamus Blake and [[Keith Carlock]].
In 2006, months after performing as a guest with [[the Allman Brothers Band]], Wilkenfeld recorded her debut album, ''[[Transformation (Tal Wilkenfeld album)|Transformation]]'', in only two days. Wilkenfeld composed, produced, arranged and played bass on seven songs with [[Wayne Krantz]], [[Geoffrey Keezer]], saxophonist Seamus Blake and [[Keith Carlock]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}


==Professional bass playing career==
==Professional bass playing career==
[[File:Tal Wilkenfeld 2009 by Guillaume Laurent.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Wilkenfeld with Jeff Beck during his Jazz à Juan tour, 15 July 2009]]
[[File:Tal Wilkenfeld 2009 by Guillaume Laurent.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Wilkenfeld with Jeff Beck during his Jazz à Juan tour, July 2009]]
After learning that [[Chick Corea]] was seeking a bassist for an upcoming tour, Wilkenfeld sent him demos of ''Transformation'', and was selected for his 2007 Australian tour,<ref name="McCulley"/> along with [[Frank Gambale]] and [[Antonio Sanchez (drummer)|Antonio Sanchez]]. A few months later, she joined [[Jeff Beck]], [[Vinnie Colaiuta]], and [[Jason Rebello]] for Beck's summer European tour. The group completed a tour performing at [[Eric Clapton]]'s 2007 [[Crossroads Guitar Festival]] in [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], performing to a sell-out crowd of approximately 40,000 people.
After learning that [[Chick Corea]] was seeking a bassist for an upcoming tour, Wilkenfeld sent him demos of ''Transformation'', and was selected for his 2007 Australian tour,<ref name="McCulley"/> along with [[Frank Gambale]] and [[Antonio Sanchez (drummer)|Antonio Sanchez]]. A few months later, she joined [[Jeff Beck]], [[Vinnie Colaiuta]], and [[Jason Rebello]] for Beck's summer European tour. The group completed a tour performing at [[Eric Clapton]]'s 2007 [[Crossroads Guitar Festival]] in [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], performing to a sell-out crowd of approximately 40,000 people.


By November 2007, Wilkenfeld rejoined Beck and the other band members for a week-long [[Artist-in-residence|residency]] at [[Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club]] in [[London]]. Beck selected the [[Music venue|venue]] to record a new DVD and CD, with guests including Clapton, [[Joss Stone]], and [[Imogen Heap]]. It was recorded, filmed, and released as ''[[Live at Ronnie Scott's (Jeff Beck album)|Live at Ronnie Scott's]]''. On the same trip, Wilkenfeld joined [[Herbie Hancock]], [[Wayne Shorter]], singer [[Corinne Bailey Rae]], and drummer Colaiuta on a session filmed for the [[A&E Network|A&E]] series, ''[[Live from Abbey Road]]''. Wilkenfeld completed 2007 with two standing-room-only [[Greenwich Village]] shows with Wayne Krantz.
By November 2007, Wilkenfeld rejoined Beck and the other band members for a week-long [[Artist-in-residence|residency]] at [[Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club]] in [[London]]. Beck selected the [[Music venue|venue]] to record a new DVD and CD, with guests including Clapton, [[Joss Stone]], and [[Imogen Heap]]. It was recorded, filmed, and released as ''[[Live at Ronnie Scott's (Jeff Beck album)|Live at Ronnie Scott's]]''. On the same trip, Wilkenfeld joined [[Herbie Hancock]], [[Wayne Shorter]], singer [[Corinne Bailey Rae]], and drummer Colaiuta on a session filmed for the [[A&E Network|A&E]] series, ''[[Live from Abbey Road]]''. Wilkenfeld completed 2007 with two standing-room-only [[Greenwich Village]] shows with Wayne Krantz.
Line 45: Line 44:


Months later, Prince called Wilkenfeld from [[Minneapolis]] and said that he wanted to put together a trio with her; he asked Wilkenfeld to find a drummer for the act. Chris Coleman was selected; he had been playing with [[Chaka Khan]] and [[Rachelle Farrell]]. Prince flew Wilkenfeld and Coleman out to Paisley Park for the first time in late 2009.<ref name="esquire.com" />
Months later, Prince called Wilkenfeld from [[Minneapolis]] and said that he wanted to put together a trio with her; he asked Wilkenfeld to find a drummer for the act. Chris Coleman was selected; he had been playing with [[Chaka Khan]] and [[Rachelle Farrell]]. Prince flew Wilkenfeld and Coleman out to Paisley Park for the first time in late 2009.<ref name="esquire.com" />
In March 2010, Wilkenfeld traveled to Paisley Park; she began to improvise and play chords on instruction from Prince. "I just made everything up; he gave me no direction about what to play beyond a chord here or there. It was just do your thing",
In March 2010, Wilkenfeld traveled to Paisley Park; she began to improvise and play chords on instruction from Prince. "I just made everything up; he gave me no direction about what to play beyond a chord here or there. It was just do your thing", Wilkenfeld explained. "I never heard the lyrics, never knew what the songs were about, never heard the melody. It was like we had to be psychic when we were playing", she added. The process culminated in ''[[Welcome 2 America (album)|Welcome 2 America]]'' - Prince's 2021 album and first posthumous release with previously unreleased music featuring Wilkenfeld on bass on 10 of the 12 tracks, recorded in 2010.<ref>{{Citation |title=Welcome 2 America - Prince {{!}} Credits {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/welcome-2-america-mw0003509265/credits |access-date=23 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref>


⚫
In 2009, Wilkenfeld toured Australia and [[Japan]] with [[Jeff Beck]]. Weeks later the group toured the United States, beginning with Beck's induction into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]. They played ''[[Beck's Bolero]]'' there and were joined by [[Led Zeppelin]]'s [[Jimmy Page]] on ''[[Immigrant Song]]''. A DVD of this performance, ''Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Legends'', TV was released in 2010.
Wilkenfeld explained. "I never heard the lyrics, never knew what the songs were about, never heard the melody. It was like we had to be psychic when we were playing", she added. The process culminated in ''[[Welcome 2 America (album)|Welcome 2 America]]'' - Prince's 2021 album and first posthumous release with previously unreleased music featuring Wilkenfeld on bass on 10 of the 12 tracks, recorded in 2010.<ref>{{Citation |title=Welcome 2 America - Prince {{!}} Credits {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/welcome-2-america-mw0003509265/credits |access-date=2023-08-23 |language=en}}</ref>

⚫
In 2009, Wilkenfeld toured Australia and [[Japan]] with [[Jeff Beck]]. Weeks later the group toured the United States, beginning with Beck's induction into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]. They played ''[[Beck's Bolero]]'' there and were joined by [[Led Zeppelin]]'s [[Jimmy Page]] on ''[[Immigrant Song]]''. A DVD of this performance, ''Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Legends'',TV was released in 2010.


Between touring [[Japan]] and America, Wilkenfeld performed with [[the Roots]] on ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]'' as their first musical guest, after which she joined Jeff Beck's summer tour through [[Europe]], [[Canada]], and Britain. [[Pink Floyd|Pink Floyd's]] [[David Gilmour]] sat in with the group during a performance at the [[Royal Albert Hall]].
Between touring [[Japan]] and America, Wilkenfeld performed with [[the Roots]] on ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]'' as their first musical guest, after which she joined Jeff Beck's summer tour through [[Europe]], [[Canada]], and Britain. [[Pink Floyd|Pink Floyd's]] [[David Gilmour]] sat in with the group during a performance at the [[Royal Albert Hall]].


In October 2009, Wilkenfeld reunited with Jeff Beck at [[Madison Square Garden]] for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 25th Anniversary two-night concert. The set included [[Buddy Guy]] on "Let Me Love You Baby", [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] singing "[[People Get Ready (song)|People Get Ready]]", and [[Billy Gibbons]] on "[[Foxey Lady]]". The ''25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts DVD'', which also included "Big Block", "[[A Day in the Life]]", and "Freeway Jam", was released in 2010.<ref name="TW@PC">{{cite news
In October 2009, Wilkenfeld reunited with Jeff Beck at [[Madison Square Garden]] for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 25th Anniversary two-night concert. The set included [[Buddy Guy]] on "Let Me Love You Baby", [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] singing "[[People Get Ready (song)|People Get Ready]]", and [[Billy Gibbons]] on "[[Foxey Lady]]". The ''25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts DVD'', which also included "Big Block", "[[A Day in the Life]]", and "Freeway Jam", was released in 2010.<ref name="TW@PC">{{cite news
|title= 25th ANNVERSARY ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME CONCERT, THE (TV)
|title= The 25th Anniversary Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Concert (2009 TV Special)
|date= November 29, 2009
|date= 29 November 2009
|url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1556240/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm
|url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1556240/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm
|publisher= [[Paley Center for Media]]
|publisher= [[Paley Center for Media]]
|at= Credits: "Tal Wilkenfeld – performer, Jeff Beck Band"
|at= Credits: "Tal Wilkenfeld – performer, Jeff Beck Band"
|access-date= February 19, 2023
|access-date= 19 February 2023
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


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On 19 May 2012, Wilkenfeld accompanied Beck and [[Mick Jagger]] on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fanelli |first1=Damian |title=Video: Jeff Beck and Mick Jagger Perform Election-Themed Blues on 'Saturday Night Live' |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/video-jeff-beck-and-mick-jagger-perform-election-themed-blues-saturday-night-live |website=guitarworld |language=en |date=21 May 2012}}</ref> In 2013, she joined alt-country singer-songwriter [[Ryan Adams]] as a collaborator on his studio album, ''[[Ryan Adams (album)|Ryan Adams]]'' (2014). She contributed to two tracks on the [[Toto (band)|Toto]] album ''[[Toto XIV]]'',<ref name="Toto">{{cite web | url=http://www.stevelukather.com/music/discography/2015/toto-xiv.aspx | title=Toto XIV (2015) | publisher=[[Steve Lukather]] official website | access-date=11 February 2015}}</ref> and co-wrote a song called "Running Whiskey" with [[ZZ Top]] guitarist [[Billy Gibbons]]. "Running Whiskey" was released in 2016 by Supersonic Blues Machine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Running Whiskey - Supersonic Blues Machine|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/running-whiskey-mt0052829953|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref>
On 19 May 2012, Wilkenfeld accompanied Beck and [[Mick Jagger]] on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fanelli |first1=Damian |title=Video: Jeff Beck and Mick Jagger Perform Election-Themed Blues on 'Saturday Night Live' |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/video-jeff-beck-and-mick-jagger-perform-election-themed-blues-saturday-night-live |website=guitarworld |language=en |date=21 May 2012}}</ref> In 2013, she joined alt-country singer-songwriter [[Ryan Adams]] as a collaborator on his studio album, ''[[Ryan Adams (album)|Ryan Adams]]'' (2014). She contributed to two tracks on the [[Toto (band)|Toto]] album ''[[Toto XIV]]'',<ref name="Toto">{{cite web | url=http://www.stevelukather.com/music/discography/2015/toto-xiv.aspx | title=Toto XIV (2015) | publisher=[[Steve Lukather]] official website | access-date=11 February 2015}}</ref> and co-wrote a song called "Running Whiskey" with [[ZZ Top]] guitarist [[Billy Gibbons]]. "Running Whiskey" was released in 2016 by Supersonic Blues Machine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Running Whiskey - Supersonic Blues Machine|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/running-whiskey-mt0052829953|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref>


In 2018, Wilkenfeld performed with [[Bob Weir]] and his band Wolf Bros at the [[Arlington Theatre]] in [[Santa Barbara, California]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Bob Weir & Wolf Bros Welcome Tal Wilkenfeld & Cover Donovan in Santa Barbara|url=https://www.jambase.com/article/bob-weir-wolf-bros-santa-barbara-sunshine-superman|website=JamBase|access-date=21 October 2018}}</ref> and the [[Beacon Theatre (New York City)|Beacon Theatre]] in [[Manhattan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bob Weir And Wolf Bros Welcome Steve Kimock, Tal Wilkenfeld, Guest Horns in Tour Finale|url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/bob-weir-wolf-bros-beacon-11-19-18/|website=liveforlivemusic|date=20 November 2018|access-date=20 November 2018}}</ref> She was featured on the cover of ''Bass Player'' magazine's March 2019 issue. On 22 July 2019, Wilkenfeld appeared on ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'', performing "Killing Me" and "Corner Painter". In January and February 2023, she played five shows with [[Incubus (band)|Incubus]] while their bassist Ben Kenney recovered from brain surgery.<ref name="guitarworld">{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/tal-wilkenfeld-incubus-first-gig|title=See Tal Wilkenfeld play Wish You Were Here, Anna Molly with Incubus in first live show with the band|author=Matt Owen|access-date=January 28, 2023}}</ref>
In 2018, Wilkenfeld performed with [[Bob Weir]] and his band Wolf Bros at the [[Arlington Theatre]] in [[Santa Barbara, California]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Bob Weir & Wolf Bros Welcome Tal Wilkenfeld & Cover Donovan in Santa Barbara|url=https://www.jambase.com/article/bob-weir-wolf-bros-santa-barbara-sunshine-superman|website=JamBase|access-date=21 October 2018}}</ref> and the [[Beacon Theatre (New York City)|Beacon Theatre]] in [[Manhattan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bob Weir And Wolf Bros Welcome Steve Kimock, Tal Wilkenfeld, Guest Horns in Tour Finale|url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/bob-weir-wolf-bros-beacon-11-19-18/|website=liveforlivemusic|date=20 November 2018|access-date=20 November 2018}}</ref> She was featured on the cover of ''Bass Player'' magazine's March 2019 issue. On 22 July 2019, Wilkenfeld appeared on ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'', performing "Killing Me" and "Corner Painter". In January and February 2023, she played five shows with [[Incubus (band)|Incubus]] while their bassist [[Ben Kenney]] recovered from brain surgery.<ref name="guitarworld">{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/tal-wilkenfeld-incubus-first-gig|title=See Tal Wilkenfeld play Wish You Were Here, Anna Molly with Incubus in first live show with the band|author=Matt Owen|access-date=28 January 2023}}</ref>


==Solo career==
==Solo career==
On 3 March 2016, Wilkenfeld released a [[single (music)|single]], "Corner Painter", which featured [[Blake Mills]] and [[Benmont Tench]].<ref name="rollingstone.com"/> On 15 March 2017, [[Judd Apatow]] featured "Corner Painter" during a 12-episode season two of his Netflix series ''[[Love (TV series)|Love]]''.<ref name="Netflix Show LOVE Season 2's music hits the mark">15 March 2017 [http://www.passtheaux.co/netflix-love-season-two-music/ Netflix show LOVE season two’s music hits the mark], Passtheeaux.co</ref> She opened for [[the Who]] on the North American part of [[The Who Hits 50!]] tour, starting in [[Detroit]] on 27 February 2016. On her own she headlined between the Who dates, beginning in [[Toronto]] on 29 February 2016.<ref name="bassplayer1" />
On 3 March 2016, Wilkenfeld released a single, "Corner Painter", which featured [[Blake Mills]] and [[Benmont Tench]].<ref name="rollingstone.com"/> On 15 March 2017, [[Judd Apatow]] featured "Corner Painter" during a 12-episode season two of his Netflix series ''[[Love (TV series)|Love]]''.<ref name="Netflix Show LOVE Season 2's music hits the mark">15 March 2017 [http://www.passtheaux.co/netflix-love-season-two-music/ Netflix show LOVE season two’s music hits the mark], Passtheeaux.co</ref> She opened for [[the Who]] on the North American part of [[The Who Hits 50!]] tour, starting in [[Detroit]] on 27 February 2016. On her own she headlined between the Who dates, beginning in [[Toronto]] on 29 February 2016.<ref name="bassplayer1" />


On 14 December 2018, Wilkenfeld released a song entitled "Under the Sun". In 2019, [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] magazine premiered her new single "Killing Me". Wilkenfeld released her debut vocal album ''Love Remains'' on 15 March 2019. The album includes Mills on guitar, Tench on keyboard, and [[Jackson Browne]] as executive producer.<ref name="billboard1" /> ''Love Remains'' reached No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseeker charts during the first week of its release.<ref name="billboard2" />
On 14 December 2018, Wilkenfeld released a song entitled "Under the Sun". In 2019, [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] magazine premiered her new single "Killing Me". Wilkenfeld released her debut vocal album ''Love Remains'' on 15 March 2019. The album includes Mills on guitar, Tench on keyboard, and [[Jackson Browne]] as executive producer.<ref name="billboard1" /> ''Love Remains'' reached No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseeker charts during the first week of its release.<ref name="billboard2" />
Line 77: Line 74:
==Personal life==
==Personal life==


Wilkenfeld practices [[meditation]]. "I'm very focused on my spiritual, emotional, and mental growth" she told ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. "I meditate every day, and I just want to continue to evolve as a person, and I hope that my music will reflect that."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Zemler |first=Emily |title=Watch Bassist Tal Wilkenfeld Perform Two Tracks on 'Kimmel' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-bassist-tal-wilkenfeld-kimmel-862251/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2019-07-23}}</ref> In a ''Popdust'' interview she added, "Meditating helps creativity flow. The more you meditate, the more you realize that everything is a meditation. The silence is important."<ref>{{cite web|title=Bass Prodigy Tal Wilkenfeld Steps into Her Own Spotlight|date=28 April 2019|url=https://www.popdust.com/bassist-songwriter-tal-wilkenfeld-melts-both-faces-and-hearts-2635360841.html|website=Popdust.com}}</ref> ''Bass Player'' magazine asked about what it was like to work with [[Herbie Hancock]] and [[Wayne Shorter]]. She said, "It's comforting to know that two of the greatest musicians alive are just as focused on their spiritual paths as their musical paths, and for them, they're one and the same. I remember standing at the side of the stage a few minutes before I was going to play with Wayne, and he came up to me and said, "Play eternity!" [[Leonard Cohen]], who I was lucky enough to spend time with, was also deeply focused on his spiritual journey. Self-inquiry is a very important part of my life, and it's reassuring to meet other like-minded people."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bassmagazine.com/artists/tal-wilkenfeld-root-awakening|title=Tal Wilkenfeld: Root Awakening|first=Chris|last=Jisi|website=Bassmagazine.com|access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref>
Wilkenfeld practices [[meditation]]. "I'm very focused on my spiritual, emotional, and mental growth" she told ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. "I meditate every day, and I just want to continue to evolve as a person, and I hope that my music will reflect that."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Zemler |first=Emily |title=Watch Bassist Tal Wilkenfeld Perform Two Tracks on 'Kimmel' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-bassist-tal-wilkenfeld-kimmel-862251/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=23 July 2019}}</ref> In a ''Popdust'' interview she added, "Meditating helps creativity flow. The more you meditate, the more you realize that everything is a meditation. The silence is important."<ref>{{cite web|title=Bass Prodigy Tal Wilkenfeld Steps into Her Own Spotlight|date=28 April 2019|url=https://www.popdust.com/bassist-songwriter-tal-wilkenfeld-melts-both-faces-and-hearts-2635360841.html|website=Popdust.com}}</ref> ''Bass Player'' magazine asked about what it was like to work with [[Herbie Hancock]] and [[Wayne Shorter]]. She said, "It's comforting to know that two of the greatest musicians alive are just as focused on their spiritual paths as their musical paths, and for them, they're one and the same. I remember standing at the side of the stage a few minutes before I was going to play with Wayne, and he came up to me and said, "Play eternity!" [[Leonard Cohen]], who I was lucky enough to spend time with, was also deeply focused on his spiritual journey. Self-inquiry is a very important part of my life, and it's reassuring to meet other like-minded people."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bassmagazine.com/artists/tal-wilkenfeld-root-awakening|title=Tal Wilkenfeld: Root Awakening|first=Chris|last=Jisi|website=Bassmagazine.com|date=29 March 2019 |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref>


Wilkenfeld says that [[stand-up comedy]] is one of her favorite forms of entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amny.com/entertainment/tal-wilkenfeld-tour-1-28016978/|title=With 'Love Remains,' Tal Wilkenfeld is raising her voice &#124; amNewYork|first=Robert|last=Spuhler|website=Amny.com|date=3 March 2019 |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref>
Wilkenfeld says that [[stand-up comedy]] is one of her favorite forms of entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amny.com/entertainment/tal-wilkenfeld-tour-1-28016978/|title=With 'Love Remains,' Tal Wilkenfeld is raising her voice &#124; amNewYork|first=Robert|last=Spuhler|website=Amny.com|date=3 March 2019 |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref>
Line 83: Line 80:


==Equipment==
==Equipment==
Wilkenfeld endorses [[Sadowsky|Sadowsky electric basses]] and strings,<ref name="sadowsky">{{cite web|url=http://www.sadowsky.com/pop/artists/wilkenfeld.html|title=Featured Artists - Tal Wilkenfeld|publisher=[[Sadowsky|Sadowsky Guitars]]|access-date=29 November 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222052303/http://www.sadowsky.com/pop/artists/wilkenfeld.html|archive-date=22 February 2012}}</ref> EBS Professional Bass Equipment [[Guitar amplifier|amplifiers]], as well as cabinets, and [[effect pedals]].<ref name="EBS Sweden AB - Professional Bass Equipment">{{cite web |url=http://www.bass.se/2009/artists/talwilkenfeld.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812214227/http://www.bass.se/2009/artists/talwilkenfeld.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2010-08-12 |title=EBS Artists |publisher=EBS Sweden AB |access-date=2012-06-07 }}</ref>
Wilkenfeld endorses [[Sadowsky|Sadowsky electric basses]] and strings,<ref name="sadowsky">{{cite web|url=http://www.sadowsky.com/pop/artists/wilkenfeld.html|title=Featured Artists - Tal Wilkenfeld|publisher=[[Sadowsky|Sadowsky Guitars]]|access-date=29 November 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222052303/http://www.sadowsky.com/pop/artists/wilkenfeld.html|archive-date=22 February 2012}}</ref> EBS Professional Bass Equipment [[Guitar amplifier|amplifiers]], as well as cabinets, and [[effect pedals]].<ref name="EBS Sweden AB - Professional Bass Equipment">{{cite web |url=http://www.bass.se/2009/artists/talwilkenfeld.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812214227/http://www.bass.se/2009/artists/talwilkenfeld.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 August 2010 |title=EBS Artists |publisher=EBS Sweden AB |access-date=7 June 2012 }}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
Line 156: Line 153:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* Irvine, Nicole (July 8–10, 2016). [https://archive.org/details/metro-ottawa-2016-07-08/page/n17/mode/2up "Moving Beyond Prodigy"]. ''[[Metro International|Metro Ottawa]]''. p.&nbsp;BF10.
* Irvine, Nicole (8–10 July 2016). [https://archive.org/details/metro-ottawa-2016-07-08/page/n17/mode/2up "Moving Beyond Prodigy"]. ''[[Metro International|Metro Ottawa]]''. p.&nbsp;BF10.
* King, Pat (May 24–27, 2019). [https://archive.org/details/metro-new-york-2019-05-24/page/n9/mode/2up "Tal Wilkenfeld on Learning From the Greats and Finding Her Own Voice"]. ''[[Metro International|Metro New York]]''. pp.&nbsp;10–11.
* King, Pat (24–27 May 2019). [https://archive.org/details/metro-new-york-2019-05-24/page/n9/mode/2up "Tal Wilkenfeld on Learning From the Greats and Finding Her Own Voice"]. ''[[Metro International|Metro New York]]''. pp.&nbsp;10–11.


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Tal Wilkenfeld}}
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{Official website|http://www.talwilkenfeld.com}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Jazz fusion bass guitarists]]
[[Category:Jazz fusion bass guitarists]]
[[Category:Australian session musicians]]
[[Category:Australian session musicians]]
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[[Category:Australian singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Australian Jews]]
[[Category:Australian Jews]]
[[Category:21st-century guitarists]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian guitarists]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:21st-century women musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian women musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian women singers]]
[[Category:Australian women singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Australian women singer-songwriters]]
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[[Category:21st-century Australian singer-songwriters]]

Latest revision as of 10:50, 9 November 2024

Tal Wilkenfeld
Wilkenfeld performing in 2008
Wilkenfeld performing in 2008
Background information
Born (1986-12-02) 2 December 1986 (age 38)
Bondi, New South Wales, Australia
GenresRock, blues rock, folk, indie rock, funk, jazz, jazz fusion, folk rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, bandleader
Instrument(s)Bass, vocals
Years active2002–present
LabelsBMG

Tal Wilkenfeld (born 2 December 1986) is an Australian bassist, singer and songwriter. She has performed with artists including Chick Corea, Jeff Beck, Prince, Incubus, Eric Clapton, Herbie Hancock, Toto (band), and Mick Jagger. In 2008, Wilkenfeld was voted "The Year's Most Exciting New Player" in a Bass Player magazine readers' choice poll. In 2013, Wilkenfeld was awarded the Bass Player magazine's "Young Gun Award" by Don Was; she then performed "Chelsea Hotel" by Leonard Cohen.

Wilkenfeld is a bandleader of her own bands in which she sings, plays bass, and plays guitar. In earlier work, she was backed by musicians such as Wayne Krantz and Vinnie Colaiuta. She opened for the Who on the North American part of The Who Hits 50! tour in 2016.[1] In 2016, she released a single entitled "Corner Painter" featuring Blake Mills and Benmont Tench.[2] Also in 2016, Rolling Stone said that Wilkenfeld was "working on new music that sees her evolving from an instrumental prodigy into a formidable singer-songwriter."[3] On 15 March 2019, Wilkenfeld released her vocal debut album Love Remains,[4] which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseeker charts on the first week of its release.[5] Love Remains has been highly praised by the press and was featured in Rolling Stone, Relix, Paste, Billboard, and Forbes. Rolling Stone described her vocal debut as having "ten dense, riff-heavy tracks with brazen, introspective lyrics—prove her songwriting abilities."[6] Wilkenfeld has also been a guest on popular podcasts, including WTF with Marc Maron, and Bill Burr's Monday Morning Podcast.

Wilkenfeld has recorded on projects with Ringo Starr, Brian Wilson, Toto, Todd Rundgren, Macy Gray, Dr. John, Trevor Rabin, Jackson Browne, Joe Walsh, Rod Stewart, John Mayer, Sting, Ben Harper, David Gilmour, Pharrell, Buddy Guy, Billy Gibbons, Lee Ritenour, Hiram Bullock, Susan Tedeschi, and Hans Zimmer, and Playing for Change with Carlos Santana.

Early life

[edit]

Born in Bondi, New South Wales,[7] Wilkenfeld began playing guitar in 2000 when she was 14 years old. Two years later, she dropped out of high school and emigrated to the United States,[8] where she studied electric guitar. Within a year, Wilkenfeld switched to electric bass.[9] In 2004, Wilkenfeld graduated from Los Angeles College of Music. She accepted an endorsement from Sadowsky Guitars, and devoted herself to forming a band and composing songs. At the age of 18, Wilkenfeld moved to New York City and began performing in New York's jazz clubs.[7]

Early career

[edit]

While playing at a club in New York in 2006, Wilkenfeld met some members of the Allman Brothers Band. She credits Oteil Burbridge and Derek Trucks with encouraging her to join them at the Beacon Theatre,[10] her first time on a large stage. The jam was about 40 minutes long; Wilkenfeld sent a recording of the performance to Jeff Beck when she auditioned for his band.

In 2006, months after performing as a guest with the Allman Brothers Band, Wilkenfeld recorded her debut album, Transformation, in only two days. Wilkenfeld composed, produced, arranged and played bass on seven songs with Wayne Krantz, Geoffrey Keezer, saxophonist Seamus Blake and Keith Carlock.[citation needed]

Professional bass playing career

[edit]
Wilkenfeld with Jeff Beck during his Jazz à Juan tour, July 2009

After learning that Chick Corea was seeking a bassist for an upcoming tour, Wilkenfeld sent him demos of Transformation, and was selected for his 2007 Australian tour,[8] along with Frank Gambale and Antonio Sanchez. A few months later, she joined Jeff Beck, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Jason Rebello for Beck's summer European tour. The group completed a tour performing at Eric Clapton's 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago, performing to a sell-out crowd of approximately 40,000 people.

By November 2007, Wilkenfeld rejoined Beck and the other band members for a week-long residency at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. Beck selected the venue to record a new DVD and CD, with guests including Clapton, Joss Stone, and Imogen Heap. It was recorded, filmed, and released as Live at Ronnie Scott's. On the same trip, Wilkenfeld joined Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, singer Corinne Bailey Rae, and drummer Colaiuta on a session filmed for the A&E series, Live from Abbey Road. Wilkenfeld completed 2007 with two standing-room-only Greenwich Village shows with Wayne Krantz.

The Tal Wilkenfeld Trio November 2008
L to R: Krantz, Carlock, Wilkenfeld
Beck with Wilkenfeld during her tour with Beck at the 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago

In 2008, Wilkenfeld accompanied Krantz at shows in Los Angeles, before an Australian tour with Krantz and Kevin Carlock, a reunion of the band which appeared on Transformation. At the end of the tour, Krantz, Carlock, and John Beasley backed Wilkenfeld during her headlining set for Bass Player LIVE! 2008 in Los Angeles. In July, she accompanied Jeff Beck in a tribute to George Martin in Los Angeles. She appeared at Warren Haynes's 20th Annual Christmas Jam while reuniting and performing with the Allman Brothers and guesting with Gov't Mule, Ivan Neville, and Robben Ford.

In 2008, Wilkenfeld received a phone call from Prince. She was surprised that his first words to her were, "Do you like the drum rolls of Jack DeJohnette?" [11] Prince had Wilkenfeld attend parties at his Los Angeles home. Sometimes he and his band played and she was the only other person there.[11]

Months later, Prince called Wilkenfeld from Minneapolis and said that he wanted to put together a trio with her; he asked Wilkenfeld to find a drummer for the act. Chris Coleman was selected; he had been playing with Chaka Khan and Rachelle Farrell. Prince flew Wilkenfeld and Coleman out to Paisley Park for the first time in late 2009.[11] In March 2010, Wilkenfeld traveled to Paisley Park; she began to improvise and play chords on instruction from Prince. "I just made everything up; he gave me no direction about what to play beyond a chord here or there. It was just do your thing", Wilkenfeld explained. "I never heard the lyrics, never knew what the songs were about, never heard the melody. It was like we had to be psychic when we were playing", she added. The process culminated in Welcome 2 America - Prince's 2021 album and first posthumous release with previously unreleased music featuring Wilkenfeld on bass on 10 of the 12 tracks, recorded in 2010.[12]

In 2009, Wilkenfeld toured Australia and Japan with Jeff Beck. Weeks later the group toured the United States, beginning with Beck's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They played Beck's Bolero there and were joined by Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page on Immigrant Song. A DVD of this performance, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Legends, TV was released in 2010.

Between touring Japan and America, Wilkenfeld performed with the Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon as their first musical guest, after which she joined Jeff Beck's summer tour through Europe, Canada, and Britain. Pink Floyd's David Gilmour sat in with the group during a performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

In October 2009, Wilkenfeld reunited with Jeff Beck at Madison Square Garden for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 25th Anniversary two-night concert. The set included Buddy Guy on "Let Me Love You Baby", Sting singing "People Get Ready", and Billy Gibbons on "Foxey Lady". The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts DVD, which also included "Big Block", "A Day in the Life", and "Freeway Jam", was released in 2010.[13]

Wilkenfeld was featured on four tracks on Jeff Beck's album Emotion & Commotion. In 2010, she contributed to Hancock's The Imagine Project on "A Change is Gonna Come" and "Don't Give Up" She played on Macy Gray's The Sellout on "That Man", Lee Ritenour's Six String Theory on "68", "In your Dreams", "Give Me One Reason" and Guthrie Govan's song "Fives".

In 2010, Wilkenfeld appeared in the Baked Potato's 40th anniversary show at the Ford Amphitheater with Steve Lukather's band; she accompanied Hancock across the U.S., Canada, and Europe promoting a new release on which she had played. The tour included a show at Carnegie Hall to celebrate Hancock's 70th birthday. In September 2011, Wilkenfeld accompanied Steven Tyler and Jeff Beck at the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

On 19 May 2012, Wilkenfeld accompanied Beck and Mick Jagger on Saturday Night Live.[14] In 2013, she joined alt-country singer-songwriter Ryan Adams as a collaborator on his studio album, Ryan Adams (2014). She contributed to two tracks on the Toto album Toto XIV,[15] and co-wrote a song called "Running Whiskey" with ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons. "Running Whiskey" was released in 2016 by Supersonic Blues Machine.[16]

In 2018, Wilkenfeld performed with Bob Weir and his band Wolf Bros at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, California,[17] and the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan.[18] She was featured on the cover of Bass Player magazine's March 2019 issue. On 22 July 2019, Wilkenfeld appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, performing "Killing Me" and "Corner Painter". In January and February 2023, she played five shows with Incubus while their bassist Ben Kenney recovered from brain surgery.[19]

Solo career

[edit]

On 3 March 2016, Wilkenfeld released a single, "Corner Painter", which featured Blake Mills and Benmont Tench.[2] On 15 March 2017, Judd Apatow featured "Corner Painter" during a 12-episode season two of his Netflix series Love.[20] She opened for the Who on the North American part of The Who Hits 50! tour, starting in Detroit on 27 February 2016. On her own she headlined between the Who dates, beginning in Toronto on 29 February 2016.[1]

On 14 December 2018, Wilkenfeld released a song entitled "Under the Sun". In 2019, Billboard magazine premiered her new single "Killing Me". Wilkenfeld released her debut vocal album Love Remains on 15 March 2019. The album includes Mills on guitar, Tench on keyboard, and Jackson Browne as executive producer.[4] Love Remains reached No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseeker charts during the first week of its release.[5]

Personal life

[edit]

Wilkenfeld practices meditation. "I'm very focused on my spiritual, emotional, and mental growth" she told Rolling Stone. "I meditate every day, and I just want to continue to evolve as a person, and I hope that my music will reflect that."[21] In a Popdust interview she added, "Meditating helps creativity flow. The more you meditate, the more you realize that everything is a meditation. The silence is important."[22] Bass Player magazine asked about what it was like to work with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. She said, "It's comforting to know that two of the greatest musicians alive are just as focused on their spiritual paths as their musical paths, and for them, they're one and the same. I remember standing at the side of the stage a few minutes before I was going to play with Wayne, and he came up to me and said, "Play eternity!" Leonard Cohen, who I was lucky enough to spend time with, was also deeply focused on his spiritual journey. Self-inquiry is a very important part of my life, and it's reassuring to meet other like-minded people."[23]

Wilkenfeld says that stand-up comedy is one of her favorite forms of entertainment.[24] She has appeared on some comedians' podcasts: promoting her album Love Remains on Marc Maron, Bill Burr, and twice on Jeff Ross's podcast as well as once with Dave Attell. She co-wrote and produced a song for Maron called "New Boots" for a movie titled Sword of Trust.

Equipment

[edit]

Wilkenfeld endorses Sadowsky electric basses and strings,[25] EBS Professional Bass Equipment amplifiers, as well as cabinets, and effect pedals.[26]

Discography

[edit]

Solo artist

[edit]
Albums
Singles
  • 2016 - Corner Painter
  • 2018 - Under the Sun[27]
  • 2019 - Killing Me

With Jeff Beck

[edit]

With Herbie Hancock

[edit]

With Macy Gray

[edit]

With Lee Ritenour

[edit]

With Jackson Browne

[edit]

With Trevor Rabin

[edit]

With Wayne Krantz

[edit]

With Steve Lukather

[edit]

With Ryan Adams

[edit]

With Toto

[edit]

With Todd Rundgren

[edit]

With Keith Urban

[edit]

With Prince

[edit]

DVD and Blu-ray

[edit]

With Jeff Beck

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Tal Wilkenfeld 2016 tour". bassplayer. NewBay Media. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Meet the Who's Opening Act: Bass Sensation Tal Wilkenfeld". rollingstone. 3 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Meet the Who's Opening Act: Bass Sensation Tal Wilkenfeld". Rolling Stone. 3 March 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Bass Ace Tal Wilkenfeld Branches Out With Solo 'Killing Me': Premiere". Billboard. 29 January 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Billboard Heatseeker Charts: Premiere". Billboard.
  6. ^ "Tal Wilkenfeld: A Bass Virtuoso Steps into the Spotlight". Rolling Stone. 31 May 2019.
  7. ^ a b Jisi, Chris (8 October 1976). "Tal Wilkenfeld: Thunder From Down Under". Bass Player. pp. 48–51. ProQuest 199959496. Born in 1985 in Bondi, Ausiralia, a beach suburb of Sydney, Tal had an early ear for music, humming along with Vivaldi. At age 14 she began guitar lessons, learning all the open chords and writing a song the first day. A year later, she heard and met Victor Wooten at a Béla Fleck & the Flecktones concert and became smitten with bass, as well. Firmly focused on becoming a musician and studying in the U.S. (and with the help of faculty member/Australian guitar god Frank Gambale), she headed to Pasadena at age 16 to attend the Los Angeles Music Academy. Following six months of guitar studies, she switched to bass for her second year at LAMA. While jamming at the 2003 NAMM Show, Tal was noticed by famed New York bass builder Roger Sadowsky, who gave her an endorsement. Upon coming to New York City to check on her Sadowsky bass, she met two of her musical heroes, Anthony Jackson and guitarist Wayne Krantz. By spring 2004, Tal had moved to Manhattan and was soon playing in jazz clubs with Hiram Bullock, Kenwood Dennard, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, and others.
  8. ^ a b McCulley, Jerry 2 August 2008 Meet Tal Wilkenfeld, Jeff Beck’s Young Aussie Bass Prodigy Archived 6 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Bibby, Paul (28 April 2007). "Ace of bass just doing her thing". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  10. ^ Shelter, Matthew (19 March 2016). "Tal Wilkenfeld Paints The Corners". jambands. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  11. ^ a b c "Inside the Making of Prince's Posthumous Album, Welcome 2 America". esquire. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  12. ^ Welcome 2 America - Prince | Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 23 August 2023
  13. ^ "The 25th Anniversary Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Concert (2009 TV Special)". Paley Center for Media. 29 November 2009. Credits: "Tal Wilkenfeld – performer, Jeff Beck Band". Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  14. ^ Fanelli, Damian (21 May 2012). "Video: Jeff Beck and Mick Jagger Perform Election-Themed Blues on 'Saturday Night Live'". guitarworld.
  15. ^ "Toto XIV (2015)". Steve Lukather official website. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  16. ^ "Running Whiskey - Supersonic Blues Machine". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  17. ^ "Bob Weir & Wolf Bros Welcome Tal Wilkenfeld & Cover Donovan in Santa Barbara". JamBase. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  18. ^ "Bob Weir And Wolf Bros Welcome Steve Kimock, Tal Wilkenfeld, Guest Horns in Tour Finale". liveforlivemusic. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  19. ^ Matt Owen. "See Tal Wilkenfeld play Wish You Were Here, Anna Molly with Incubus in first live show with the band". Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  20. ^ 15 March 2017 Netflix show LOVE season two’s music hits the mark, Passtheeaux.co
  21. ^ Zemler, Emily (23 July 2019). "Watch Bassist Tal Wilkenfeld Perform Two Tracks on 'Kimmel'". Rolling Stone.
  22. ^ "Bass Prodigy Tal Wilkenfeld Steps into Her Own Spotlight". Popdust.com. 28 April 2019.
  23. ^ Jisi, Chris (29 March 2019). "Tal Wilkenfeld: Root Awakening". Bassmagazine.com. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  24. ^ Spuhler, Robert (3 March 2019). "With 'Love Remains,' Tal Wilkenfeld is raising her voice | amNewYork". Amny.com. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  25. ^ "Featured Artists - Tal Wilkenfeld". Sadowsky Guitars. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2007.
  26. ^ "EBS Artists". EBS Sweden AB. Archived from the original on 12 August 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  27. ^ Official video on YouTube.

Further reading

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