Jay Rubottom, Bass

How old were you when you started playing your instrument?

“I took up the double bass during my last year of high school, after playing electric bass since I was 14.”

What is your favorite music to listen to? 

“I enjoy progressive rock entirely too much for my own good.”

Besides the Bakersfield Symphony, what else do you do for a living? 

“I work as an orchestra musician and music teacher across Southern California.”

What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring musician? 

“Take as many opportunities as you can to play with other musicians, whenever they come your way. Practicing on your own is very important, but there’s also a lot of experience you can only get from going out there and playing with other folks, and there’s a lot you can learn from being around people that have been doing this for a while.”

What do you enjoy most about playing with the BSO? 

“I have to say, I think we have a pretty great bass section. I might be biased, though.”