Bridging the Gap: String High, String Low

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Bridging the Gap: String High, String Low

By Ronald Broun

Thursday, January 6, 2000; Page C02

Bridging the Gap is the name of a violin (Peter Wilson) and double-bass (Aaron Clay) duo whose repertoire exists in the gap between music’s disparate worlds. There’s nothing new about an oddball instrumental combination playing eclectic music, of course. Duke Ellington, who disliked all categorization, said, “If it sounds good, that’s all you need.” Wilson and Clay did sound good Tuesday night at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, and for traditional reasons: superior arrangements and uncommon musicianship.

Wilson and Clay began their association in 1993 as members of the Marine Band. Clay provides rich harmonic flooring, but what sets him apart is elegant bowing. His melodic lines have a cellolike glow and flexibility that sounded particularly fine in Gershwin arrangements but always curled comfortably around Wilson’s pristine melodic lines. Wilson began with a deftly ornamented baroque Allegro by the obscure Italian composer Giseffo Fiocco. The duo moved adroitly to an Ellington set, an Appalachian set, music from “Schindler’s List” (John Williams) and television-cop-show funk (featuring Wilson’s uncanny imitation of a siren). Vieuxtemps’ throwaway “Souvenir d’Amerique” (“Yankee Doodle” variations) elicited showering virtuosity from Wilson, and a melange of Glenn Miller tunes was by turns nostalgic and funny.

As with all Millennium Stage presentations, the performance was free.

© 2000 The Washington Post Company

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CD Reviews

The following was submitted to the June 2005 issue of the International Society of Bassists magazine Bass World in regard to the debut CD of Bridging the Gap:

Bridging the Gap

Peter Wilson-violin, Aaron Clay-double bass

By Barry Green

It’s no secret that Edgar Meyer, John Clayton, Christian McBride and Francois Rabbath are world famous bassists known by millions for their remarkable virtuosity, impeccable intonation, creative arranging and composing, and unique original music that transcends classical, popular and jazz. However, unless you happen to live in the Washington, DC area or happen to be Aretha Franklin, Joe Williams or the President of the United States, it is unlikely that you know about Aaron Clay who possesses many of these same wonderful attributes of these celebrated bass players. Clay is Principal Bassist of the Fairfax Symphony, member of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and one half of the creative violin/bass duo called: Bridging the Gap with violinist Peter Wilson.

Having recently met these remarkable musicians in Washington, DC and heard their amazing debut and self-entitled CD, I’m thrilled to share my excitement of their artistry, musical vision, and creative arrangements. Remember this name: Aaron Clay! He is a secret that can no longer be confined to the White House and the Washington, DC area. Aaron is a fabulous double bassist. Recently I played much of the Bridging the Gap CD for the touring John Clayton. The jury is in on Aaron and John Clayton shares my enthusiastic verdict: This guy is for real and deserves to be heard by the bass community at large.

What’s so special? The arrangements are the duo’s own and they work. Somehow Wilson and Clay sound like more than two fine musicians. They ‘bridge the gap’ from Clay’s own pen on a Gershwin medley entitled I Got Someone to Watch over My Rhythm, An Appalachian Prayer including Ashokan Farewell, Simple Gifts, and Amazing Grace, and The Duke Double to Aaron’s original MILLENNIUM: Suite for Violin and Double Bass. This contemporary three movement ‘classical’ suite is an outstanding contribution to the violin and bass repertoire. Peter Wilson’s virtuosity and musicianship are showcased in his own arrangements from Elgar’s Salut d’Amour, his funky original Move Away from the Vehicle, Sondheim’s Send in the Clowns and John Williams’ music from Schindler’s List to an authentic 18th Century Baroque Allegro by Gioseffo Fiocco.

Many of these fabulous pieces are being made available through their bridgingthegaponline.com website. I have seen several and they are beautifully laid out, clean and well crafted. The bass parts are well written and very playable. Much like the Turtle Island String Quartet inspired many quartets to follow their path playing pop music and jazz through their recordings and publications, Bridging the Gap will no doubt launch many violin/bass duos with great repertoire additions for spicing up traditional recitals as well as tantalizing diverse audiences at parties, jazz clubs, chamber music series, and festivals.

Enjoy the CD and get the music. But the artistry and virtuosity of Wilson and Clay go a long way to enriching the soul of the listener! Wilson and Clay founded Bridging the Gap in 1997 after developing a friendship as colleagues in “The President’s Own" United States Marine Band. Most recently, they were a featured act during the week of Inauguration as part of the “Salute to Those Who Serve” celebration held at the MCI Center in Washington DC, where they received a standing ovation from the 14,000 military and public safety personnel in attendance.

Aaron has a beautiful lyric singing quality in his upper register playing as demonstrated in his breathless, tender, obligato part in Send in the Clowns. He scampers through the passagework in his Duke Double like a fleet footed bunny rabbit! He gets nasty with his high tech funky groove in Peter Wilson’s humorous spoof on a DC traffic jam called Move Away from the Vehicle. Aaron’s intonation in ALL the registers is amazingly accurate. While bassists will marvel at Clay’s command of their noble instrument, violinist Peter Wilson is his perfect technical and musical match. They are sensitive passionate performers and equally gifted at creating arrangements that showcase their talents.

It is hard to believe this duo has been doing their thing for over eight years. The good news is this bass wonder of Washington, DC can be easily heard on this fine CD with more recordings and publications on the horizon. Welcome Peter and Aaron to the at large bass community. Their secret is out. We are looking forward to having you around for a long time!

[barry Green served as principal bassist of the Cincinnati Symphony for 28 years. Currently the principal bassist with the California Symphony and the Sun Valley Summer Symphony, Green is the acclaimed author of The Inner Game of Music with W. Timothy Gallwey as well as his most recent book The Mastery of Music. Green is a noted lecturer who gives Inner Game seminars throughout the world. For more information on Green's personal appearances and publications, visit his website at www.innergameofmusic.com.]