Full line-up BassFest ’25 announced!

With Victor Wooten, Dave Holland, Vincen García, Xavier Foley and Mohini Dey

Living legend Victor Wooten and his The Wooten Brothers, funky bass guitarist Vincen García and American classical double bass phenomenon Xavier Foley will all perform at the fifth edition of BassFest (formerly Dutch Double Bass Festival). The world’s only festival entirely dedicated to the bass will take place on 8 & 9 November this year at Theater Zuidplein in Rotterdam. Today, full ticket sales for the festival go live. More than 18 acts – from pop bands to classical ensembles – will take the stage with the double bass and bass guitar in the spotlight.

 

Exclusively in the Netherlands!
BassFest presents several acts exclusively in the Netherlands and organizes a number of unique collaborations. The festival brings the legendary American bassist Victor Wooten to the Netherlands. Wooten has won five Grammy Awards, was the first person to be named Bassist of the Year three times by Bass Player magazine, and was listed by Rolling Stone in 2011 as one of the ten greatest bassists of all time.

 

Performing in the Netherlands for the first time is Xavier Foley, another American artist known for his virtuoso technique and for redefining the role of the double bass as a solo instrument, both as a performer and composer. He has won prestigious awards such as First Prize at the Sphinx Competition (2014), the Young Concert Artists International Auditions (2016), and received the Avery Fisher Career Grant (2018).

 

Moroccan artist Mehdi Nassouli is one of the leading voices of contemporary Gnawa music. A master of the guembri (a three-stringed bass lute central to the Gnawa tradition), he blends traditional African, Arabic, and Gnawa influences with elements of jazz, reggae, and rock. He has collaborated with artists such as Fatoumata Diawara, Herbie Hancock, and Alpha Blondy, and for BassFest he teams up with Amsterdam-based crossover ensemble Marmoucha Collective.

Classical, jazz, global and pop on one stage
Because the bass is essential in every genre, BassFest programs across musical boundaries. In addition to the artists mentioned above, you’ll also hear and see:

• Dave Holland Trio – The legendary bassist (known from Miles Davis) returns to BassFest with his impressive trio, featuring saxophonist Jaleel Shaw and drummer Nasheet Waits: a dream team of groove, experience, and improvisation.
• Vincen García – A funky bass phenomenon from Spain (known for his work with Cory Wong), García is celebrated for his explosive energy on stage and his genre-bending style combining soul, funk, and electronic influences.
• Mohini Dey – The young Indian bass sensation became a global name thanks to her virtuosity, fluid jazz-fusion style, and collaborations with greats like Steve Vai and Zakir Hussain.
• Sasha Witteveen – A versatile Dutch double bassist with a fresh take on the classical repertoire, exploring the instrument’s boundaries through innovative solo work and projects.
• James Oesi Trio – This unique trio with Mark Haanstra (bass guitar) and Mike Fentross (theorbo) takes audiences on a surprising musical journey through baroque, jazz, and South African sounds – with the double bass as the solo voice.
• Tijs Klaassen Quintet – An exciting young jazz ensemble led by bassist and composer Tijs Klaassen, performing original compositions full of unexpected turns, depth, and layered grooves.
• BassFest also offers a platform to emerging talent. Students from Codarts Rotterdam and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam will perform in various ensembles showcasing their finest bass players.

 

Fifth edition of BassFest: a globally unique festival
BassFest is the festival that shows why the bass is such a beautiful and essential instrument. It’s the only festival in the world programmed entirely around the bass – from jazz and classical to global, funk, hip hop, and pop. Featuring bands, orchestras, and soloists; with double bass, bass guitar, and viola da gamba. In addition to over 15 live performances in one weekend, the festival also includes “ateliers in residence” – instrument builder showcases, a bass cinema, and an art exhibition.
Artistic director is solo bassist James Oesi: “Most people don’t realize how incredibly versatile the bass is: essential in an orchestra, powerful as a soloist in chamber music, indispensable in jazz bands, and the foundation of any good hip hop track. I want to show the world how beautiful the bass can be – touching the hearts of music lovers from all walks of life.”

In its first four editions, the festival featured artists such as Gary Karr, Kinga Głyk, Dominic Seldis, Dirty Loops, Richard Bona, Renaud Garcia-Fons, Adam Ben Ezra, Fuensanta, John Patitucci, Dave Holland & John Scofield, and the bass sections of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, Concertgebouworkest, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as Derrick Hodge and Rick Stotijn.