Steve LaSpina

b. Steven Frank LaSpina, 24 March 1954, Wichita Falls, Texas, USA. As a child LaSpina studied with his bass playing father although he had to wait until he was tall enough before he had the reach for the upright acoustic instrument. He subsequently studied at university and in Chicago with bass master, Rufus Reid. It was in Chicago that he first played professionally, working from the age of 15 with musicians such as Bunky Green and Larry Novak. In the mid- to late 70s LaSpina was a member of Chet Baker's band, worked with Red Norvo, and also appeared with Marian McPartland, a...