On Saturday, February 14th, 2026, the "Expansive Breadth of Electric Bass Guitar in Action" series presents its 2nd of 4 events at the Spacebar (2590 N High St, Columbus, Ohio: https://www.facebook.com/spacebarcolumbus, https://www.spacebarcolumbus.com), beginning at 4:30 PM. This special Valentine's Day concert is subtitled, Matinee de Bass and features central Ohio bassists Roger Hines (Ray Charles, Diane Schuur, Louie Bellson, Count Basie Orchestra: https://rogerhinesbass.com), Jeffrey Ciampa (Hoodoo Soul Band, Harry Belafonte, Zero One, Popgun, Birdshack: https://jeffreyciampa.com), Myke Rock (Jamal Thomas - SOS Band, Maceo Parker -, Bobby Messano Band, Dirty Red Sunshine), and drummer Brandon Pettiford (Austin and the Syd Experience, Pett Crow, Sean Carney Band: https://soundcloud.com/brandon-pettiford-867083167). With an opening act to be announced. There is a $10.00 entry fee. Please view biographical information on these artists and Ohio Arts Council statement, below.
Roger Hines is a master bassist known for his decades-long career performing with jazz legends, most notably Ray Charles and Diane Schuur. He plays both acoustic and electric bass and currently serves as a Professor of Double Bass at Capital University in Bexley, Ohio.
Career Highlights
- Ray Charles: Hines joined Ray Charles in 1980, touring the world and recording exclusively with him for six years. Their association continued until Charles's death in 2004, including work on various projects such as famous Diet Pepsi commercials and the albums Spirit of Christmas and Do I Ever Cross Your Mind.
- Diane Schuur: He served as the musical director and bassist for Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Diane Schuur from 1988 through 2004.
- Other Collaborations: Throughout his career, he has performed with iconic artists including Etta Jones, Louie Bellson, Rosemary Clooney, Eddie Daniels, and the Count Basie Orchestra.
Notable Venues and Recordings
- Venues: His performances have reached prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the White House.
- Discography: Hines has recorded with artists like Ray Charles, Diane Schuur, Ernie Krivda, and Gene Walker, as well as with his own group, Nova Madrugada.
Teaching and Education
- Current Role: He is a music faculty member at Capital University (2006–present).
- Previous Tenure: He taught bass at The Ohio State University School of Music for 12 years.
- Academic Background: He is a graduate of The Ohio State University.
Current Projects
Roger Hines continues to celebrate the legacy of Ray Charles through the Ray Charles Tribute Band, where he acts as the producer and leader, featuring "the Raelettes" and various talented musicians. Information regarding his professional work can be found on the official Roger Hines Bass website: https://rogerhinesbass.com/.
Jeff Ciampa is a veteran bassist and staple of the live music scene in Columbus, Ohio, known for his work with several prominent local and touring ensembles. He frequently performs at local venues such as Natalie's Grandview and the Rumba Cafe.
Local Ensembles and Collaborative Work
Ciampa is a member of multiple well-known Columbus-based bands:
- Hoodoo Soul Band: He plays bass and provides vocals for this long-running R&B and soul ensemble.
- Popgun: A group known for interpreting a wide variety of music from the 80s and artists like Steely Dan and David Bowie.
- The Song Remains: A Night of Zeppelin: Ciampa plays bass in this collective of regional players performing the Led Zeppelin catalog.
- Tom Krouse Band: He is part of this R&B-influenced rock and roll group alongside other top Columbus musicians.
- Birdshack: A trio featuring drummer Tony McClung and guitarist Joshua Hill.
Professional History and Recordings
Beyond his local work, Ciampa has an extensive professional background:
- Touring and Recording: He has toured with Caribbean icon Harry Belafonte and jazz vocalist Jon Lucien. He also recorded three sessions for Gramavision Records with bassist Al McDowell.
- Solo Projects: He has released critically acclaimed recordings, including Signs of Life and House of Mirror on Mark Egan's Wavetone label.
- Media and Production: He operates Studio Orange, where he writes and produces music for TV cues, commercials, and movie trailers. He has also produced solo albums for other artists, such as Stefan Farrenkopf.
- Zero One: In the late 1980s, he was a primary member of the Columbus band Zero One, where he handled lead vocals, bass, piano, and programming.
Recent Activity
As of late 2025, Ciampa continues to perform regularly, with recurring shows scheduled at the Rumba Cafe in Columbus. He also conducts workshops, such as the "Mindset of a Working Musician". In 2025, he was featured on tracks such as "Wave Sounds" and "String Sounds" from Earth and Sky Sound Bath.
Myke Rock is an experienced and well-known bassist, particularly prominent in the Columbus, Ohio music scene, known for his work in numerous rock, blues, and punk bands. He is noted for his long list of musical accomplishments and is a frequent performer at events like ComFest, where he was an Honored Artist in 2023.
Career Highlights and Associated Acts
- Screaming Urge: Myke Rock was the original and permanent bassist for this punk/rock band in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers: He has performed and toured with this blues band, including a European tour in 2016 and subsequent tours.
- Bobby Messano Band: Rock is the bassist for this national act, performing frequently throughout the US and Europe, and recorded all bass tracks on the new, full-length album, Still Life, with the recording artists in Wisconsin in late 2024.
- Other Collaborations: His career also includes playing with Willie Phoenix, Belgian-based Jamal Thomas (of the SOS Band and Maceo Parker), Cat String Theory, and The Mustangs.
- Solo Work and Projects: He had a solo "Beatles on Bass" show and has been involved in creating and curating various music showcase series and online radio stations.
- Session/Live Work: He has sat in with various other groups for specific events, such as Cherry Blonde.
Current Activity
- Myke Rock remains an active musician. He currently hosts a weekly open jam session at Traditions Tavern in Columbus and continues to perform in various bands, including as equity member in Dirty Red Sunshine, and tours periodically in Europe, and has upcoming performances on December 21, 2025 at Winter Blues Jam 2026 at De Mooie Molen in Roeselare, Belgium, and on January 2, 2026, with Rock 'n' Roy at Club B52 in Ichtegem, Belgium.
Brandon Pettiford is a prominent Columbus, Ohio-based drummer and musician known for his work in various bands, including Austin and the Syd Experience, Pett Crow, and the Sean Carney Band. He is recognized for his "in-the-pocket" drumming style, energy, and versatility across blues, rock, funk, and jazz genres.
Key details about Brandon Pettiford:
- Current Bands: He is the drummer for the funk rock ensemble Austin and the Syd Experience and performs with the Sean Carney Band, among other collaborations. He has also toured with artist Erin Coburn.
- Early Career: Brandon began playing drums at age seven for his church praise band. In his teens, he co-founded the successful blues band Pett Crow, which won the Great Midwest Battle of the Bands title multiple times.
- Style and Skills: He is known for his rhythmic prowess and ability to add a solid "heartbeat" to a band's sound. His playing is influenced by a range of music, from blues to psychedelic soul and hard rock.
- Other Roles: In addition to being a musician, he is also a certified audio engineer.
You can find more information and updates on his music via his social media presence, such as his Instagram page or his Facebook Music page.
The Ohio Arts Council, Artist Opportunities, Professional Artist Grant supports this artist in producing a series of four performances in central Ohio from January 30th through March 14th, 2026, featuring Columbus-based bass guitarists showcasing the full musical range of the instrument. The project reimagines popular and off-the-beaten-path songs by replacing traditional instrumental and vocal parts with bass interpretations, highlighting the instrument’s versatility. http://www.oac.ohio.gov @ohioartscouncil #artsohio #ArtsOhio #ohioartscouncil