Tina Lama

Upright Bass//Downright Bass

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Tina Lama is quietly profound and unshakably solid on the bass with an instinctive sense for groove and an adeptness for both improvisation and precise, long-form written pieces. She’s an intentional and empathetic musician who brings emotion to every note.

Originally from Ithaca, NY, Tina moved to New York City in 2011 to pursue a masters degree in jazz performance. Already an accomplished upright and electric bassist, she quickly jumped onto the scene, performing weekly at local clubs in bands as a side person and a collaborator.

After graduating, Tina expanded her stylistic boundaries and began touring and recording with the Emmy-nominated bluegrass/hip-hop band, Gangstagrass. Tina is featured on 3 studio albums including “No Time for Enemies” (2020), which reached no. 1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts. She delved further into the Americana and folk scene by becoming one of the primary members of the New York City singer-songwriter group, Jan Bell & The Maybelles, with whom she performs with regularly and has been featured on 2 albums.

In 2013, Tina co-founded The Red Birds—an all-female jazz trio featuring pianist Hyuna Park and Yasuno Kasuki on vocals and euphonium. Together, the group compiled a compelling collection of original songs, along with stirring arrangements of both standards and popular modern tunes. The Red Birds recorded 2 albums—their self-titled debut followed by “Songs for Our Fathers”—which they supported on a 2018 Japanese tour.

Tina has had the honor to perform with greats, such as Jimmy Heath, Danilo Perez, Adam Cruz, and members of “A Tribe Called Quest”, as well as the Queens College Symphony Orchestra. She is currently a sub for the Tony Award-winning “Shucked the Musical” on Broadway.

 

 

Musician: Tina Lama

Somethin' Jazz Club, 2013