[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” background_image=”2882″ css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”150px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”grid” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1558376742616{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;background-color: rgba(24,41,87,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(24,41,87) !important;}”]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”150px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”2782″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” mkd_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space height=”10px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]Kaveh Rastegar<\/strong> \u201901E, songwriter and master of the upright and the electric bass, has performed with hundreds of musicians, played on countless recordings, and written or cowritten songs for artists from Bruno Mars to the Grammy-nominated jazz ensemble Kneebody, which he cofounded at Eastman with classmates Adam Benjamin<\/strong>, Shane Endsley<\/strong> \u201997E, and Ben Wendel<\/strong> \u201999E. He\u2019s been part of John Legend\u2019s band for five years and had a small role in the film La La Land<\/em>, which Legend produced.<\/p>\n This summer, he releases his solo debut, Light of Love<\/em> (Ropeadope).<\/p>\n \u201cEverything really took shape at Eastman,\u201d says Rastegar. \u201cI was around such an incredible cast of unique and fantastically interesting and talented musicians. For me, it was kind of like when Harry Potter goes to Hogwarts and sees other kids like him. It opened up my mind, my heart, and my playing.\u201d<\/p>\n What songs first grabbed you?<\/strong><\/p>\n So many. The first song that I ever learned by ear on the bass was \u201cFascination Street\u201d from the Cure\u2019s Disintegration album. That bass line was so cool. Joni Mitchell\u2019s \u201cSilky Veils of Ardour\u201d from her album Don Juan\u2019s Reckless Daughter<\/em> is another great tune. Talking Heads\u2019 \u201cBig Country\u201d from More Songs about Buildings and Food<\/em> always brings me back to a special time in my life. The Rolling Stones\u2019 \u201cGimme Shelter\u201d from Let It Bleed<\/em> always makes me feel energized\u2014it\u2019s a powerful tune in every way.<\/p>\n What was one of your most memorable experiences on tour?<\/strong><\/p>\n A few years ago, I was on a California tour with Colin Hay, former front man of Men at Work. And there\u2019s Paul McCartney, in the front row. After the gig, Paul came back stage and hung out with Colin, the drummer, keyboard player, and me. He was so friendly and interested in everyone around him.<\/p>\n Any other surprises?<\/strong><\/p>\n I once got locked in a car trunk just minutes before playing in front of 80,000 people at a crowded stadium in Palermo, Sicily, with Luciana Ligabue. Before each performance, the band had to move from our backstage locker room to the concert stage. That night, a rather small sedan showed up. The only room for the drummer and me was in the trunk. Everyone got out, doors slammed shut, but, in the hustle and hurry, no one remembered us. It took some finagling to figure out how to get out fast, and I lost my pants in the process. Crazy!<\/p>\n What would surprise people to know about you?<\/strong><\/p>\n I speak Italian fluently, enough French to get by, and a little Spanish and Farsi. My father is an Iranian immigrant, so I picked that up from him.<\/p>\n What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?<\/strong><\/p>\n Write down everything that\u2019s important to you. Write down your dreams, no matter how crazy or unattainable they may seem. Then, keep checking that list. If you take the time to articulate them in writing, they become more real, more doable.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1558373912796{padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: #ecebee !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what Rastegar is listening to now:<\/p>\nKaveh\u2019s Playlist<\/h4>\n