Brazilian-born UK Bassist “Tiago Coimbra” and Resolution 88 Release 'Vortex,' Their Highly Anticipated 4th Album. Their Transcendent Harmonies and Melodies Promise a Unique Musical Journey! 

Brazilian-born UK Bassist Tiago Coimbra of Band Resolution 88 Release 'Vortex,' Their Highly Anticipated 4th Album. Their Harmonies and Melodies Transcend Continents, and the Captivating Harmonies and Melodies Take You on a Musical Journey Like No Other! 

INTERVIEW BY: GINA SEDMAN, WRITER/JOURNALIST & HEAD EDITOR    

Tiago Coimbra, born in Brasilia in 1980, has journeyed through a vibrant tapestry of cultures and musical influences. His childhood took him from Brazil to Washington D.C., Guatemala, and eventually to Cambridge, UK.   

This diverse upbringing set the stage for his eclectic musical career. Encouraged by his brother, Tiago initially picked up the guitar and drums, but by age twelve, he found his true passion in the bass guitar. At thirteen, he embarked on his first musical venture with the rock band Beware the Moon, where he spent four thrilling years performing at gigs, festivals, and studio sessions. 

Tiago's musical trajectory took a significant turn when he became a member of The Justin Quinn Trio, a jazz fusion band based in Cambridge, UK, in 1997. The experiences he gained with this band formed a strong foundation for his subsequent studies at the prestigious Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford, U.K. Under the tutelage of Stephan Redtenbacher, a Berklee College of Music graduate, Tiago honed his skills and deepened his understanding of music. 

After completing his studies at ACM, Tiago's talent earned him a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. Starting his studies there in September 1999, Tiago immersed himself in a wide range of musical projects. He performed and recorded with Spontaneous and the Hiromi Explosion Trio, and attended masterclasses with legendary musicians such as Matthew Garrison, Abraham Laboriel, and Kenwood Dennard. 

Today, Tiago is a prominent figure in the UK music scene. He balances teaching with an active performance schedule, collaborating with a variety of bands, including the Gavin Harrison and 05Ric band, Resolution88, the Cannon Quintet (CQ band), and Swagger. Tiago's journey is a testament to his dedication and passion for music, continually evolving and inspiring those around him.  

Hi Tiago, how are you doing today? I'm good.  

Awesome. I've been learning all about your incredible music journey. But before we dive into that, I'd love to hear more about your background. Can you share where you're originally from and where you're currently based? OK, well, I was born in Brazil. My father's Brazilian, my mother's English, and because of his job, we've traveled all around the world. So, I've lived in a few places. I've lived in the USA, Guatemala, Brazil, and now and then in the UK, but I've been living in the UK on and off for about 25 years, yeah. 

OK, so out of all the places you've lived, where do you find it to be the most enjoyable? Uh. That's a difficult one. I mean, there are great things and not-so-great things about all these places. I miss the weather, the warmth of the people in Brazil, and the music, although there's a lot of great music here from that part of the world. At the same time, I really enjoyed the music scene here in the UK. There are so many different kinds of scenes. I like that there are lots of different musicians and styles of music, so whatever you're into, you can find it. People are really crazy about music here. I think they can't live without it. So it's a good place to be a musician. 

Yes, absolutely. So, what influenced you to play bass, and when did you develop that interest in playing? My brother is a musician as well. He's a drummer and plays a bit of guitar and bass, too. He started drum lessons, and after he had a drum lesson, I would ask him about the things he went over and then practice it myself. So, I started playing drums, then got some guitar lessons. And then, on Christmas Day 1992, there was a bass under the Christmas tree. I wasn't asking for it or expecting anything like that, but there it was. So, I started playing bass then.  

Yeah, it was almost like it was meant to be like it was your God-given gift. Yeah, I still play a little bit of guitar. I've got a guitar here, and there's a kit downstairs that I play a bit. It's like an electric kit, but yeah, it's all about the bass now.  

Tiago, what steps did you take to develop your skills as a bass player? I got into a band early on, pretty much straight away. So, I got the bass when I was 12, and by 13, I was in a band. I had some lessons with a great bass teacher, John Starr, from a local funk band here in Cambridge called Canterbury Street. He was my first bass teacher.   

And yeah, he's still around playing bass, and I see him occasionally. He gave me regular lessons. My brother was in a band as well, so there were lots of musicians in the house. We were lucky to have a house where we could make noise and play. There was always a drum set and amps set up, so it just became the rehearsal room. I learned from all those people. My first band was a sort of rock heavy metal band that I was into then.  

Awesome. Tiago, when you first picked up that bass, did you find it challenging, or were you just a natural? I had the privilege to go to college and learn music, but it's not the only way to master your craft. Spending time practicing and honing your skills is crucial. Another way is to take private lessons, which are irreplaceable. If you're serious about mastering your instrument, then private lessons are important. 

However, with the abundance of online resources available now, such as great YouTube tutorials and full online music schools, learning has become so much more accessible. For example, I highly recommend Scott's Bass Lessons, which is an amazing online music school for bass and one of the top in the world. But, yeah, there are numerous free and paid resources that can help you build a strong foundation, a combination of private and online lessons.  

Absolutely. Now, Tiago, what plans did you have in mind for moving forward in your music career after you graduated from college? My original plan was not to have a plan at all, which turned out to be a problem. When I returned to the UK, it was mainly due to financial reasons. College and living expenses in the US were expensive, and I didn't have a visa. I had to reevaluate my plan and return to the UK.   

Looking back, it was a good move, even though I had no solid plan. I worked non-music-related jobs to get by and slowly figured things out.   

Now, I teach during the week, perform for different artists, play in my own bands, and compose for those bands. It took time to build up these avenues, starting with a few gigs, then getting students, and eventually securing a job at a school. Now, I play with various artists and teach at different institutions.  

Awesome. Speaking about a few different artists, you have played with some pretty notable people. Would you like to share just a few of them? I know there are a lot—probably too many to fit into a full magazine—but could you name a few notable people you've worked with so far? At the moment, I'm in a few different bands. I'm working a lot with a singer called Vanessa Haynes, who is an incredible singer. We do an Aretha Franklin tribute show and her original material, which is really fun.  

Last weekend, I was playing with a great trombone player named Dennis Rollins. I've been playing with him for about five years, and it's really fun. It's the sort of music I like—funk with a little bit of jazz and a bit of rock. 

I'm currently playing with my own group called Resolution 88. We're just releasing our fourth album, led by Tom O'Grady, a keyboard player mainly on Rhodes.  

We've done four albums and it's been amazing. We've played all over Europe, supporting some incredible artists like Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Christian McBride, and the Yellowjackets. It's been a great band to be involved with. This is our 10th year, so it's been a long journey. 

I've also done a few one-off gigs, like with Maceo Parker, which was incredible. It was a fun gig in Paris about three years ago, a last-minute thing. I've done similar last-minute gigs with Hiromi, who I went to college with. Her bass player was unwell, so I got a last-minute call on a Thursday night and was in Italy playing her music by Friday. It was crazy hard music with no time to prepare, but I would do it again in a heartbeat because it was so fun. 

Tiago, you've done session work as well. Can you tell me about that? Yeah, I've done studio work, which I call sideman work, with various artists like Orphy Robinson, Cleveland Watkiss, Kim Jordan, Judge Jules, Gavin Harrison, and many others. I did a TV show a couple of years ago, which was very much like a session. I was in the band for the show, and it was really fun. 

Awesome. Do you have any plans to be involved in feature films or soundtracks for feature films in the future? That would be fun. I guess I'd need to be in LA or in the studios in London a bit more to get into that. Who knows? I wasn't planning on doing the TV show; it just happened. Opportunities often come from meeting people. You never know where their careers will go, and they might call you for other things. That's one of the biggest pieces of advice I would give: meet and befriend as many people as you can because you never know where an opportunity might come from. All the jobs I've gotten have been through meeting people. Getting the opportunity to be on the TV show was like that. But yeah, it would be amazing to do a movie. Everything is about showing up and doing your best. That is your business card. 

Yes, absolutely. If someone were to come to you and say, "I want to be a full-time musician, and I'm thinking about quitting my job to follow my dream," what would you have said to them back then when you first started, and what would you say to them now after being in the business? Yeah, I don't know. I wouldn't quit what you're doing straight away. I would build up the music slowly and surely first before diving in unless it becomes overwhelming, and you can't possibly do two full-time jobs. Then, it's time to jump over.  

The advice I would give myself is to get some work you can do, like Monday to Friday during the day, something you don't mind doing, that helps you get by. That way, when you work on music, you're not relying on it as your primary income. You can pick and choose projects you really want to do, and you're not forced to rely solely on music. 

Yes, absolutely. And what would you say is one of the most challenging things about being a full-time musician? At the moment, it's pretty incompatible with family life, unfortunately. Your hours are during people's leisure time—it's evenings, weekends, basically not 9 to 5. Balancing family life with gigs, rehearsals, teaching, and traveling is a hard balance, and it can be testing for everyone involved. 

Absolutely. If I were to say, "I want you to complete this statement: I have a dream that one day I would play for or with whom?" What would you say? I don't know, it changes. Unfortunately, some of the people I wanted to play with aren't around anymore. I always wanted to play with James Brown, and I got close to Maceo. That was amazing. I'm not sure now—maybe Stevie Wonder. That would be pretty cool, right? 

Yeah, absolutely. Who wouldn't want to? So, let's talk about your current band. How was Resolution 88 initially formed, and who are the original members? Ten years ago, we got together in a rehearsal room. Tom O'Grady, the band leader, brought in three or four songs, and we worked on them. Originally, it was Ric Elsworth on percussion, Affy Green on drums, Tom O'Grady on keys, I was on bass, and George Crowley on saxophone. That was the first lineup, and it's changed a bit over the years. We've done four records since then. It's definitely an instrumental jazz-funk band with a 70s vibe, influenced by Headhunters, Jamiroquai, Azymuth, and Weather Report. 

Awesome. And can you tell me what influenced or who influenced the sound of the band? Well, it's definitely that '70s jazz-funk era. The Fender Rhodes, which Tom plays, really defines the sound. Also, "broken beat" from the West London scene influences our sound. 

Awesome. I just have a few more questions. Ron Carter, Stanley Clarke, and Marcus Miller are all great players with solo projects. You're an amazing bassist, and I wanted to know if you're looking to possibly release a solo project like Marcus Miller. Are you considering that? Yeah, with my name on it. I've kind of done that with my new trio called the Zero Gravity Trio. We've just recorded our first record, and we're in the process of mixing it. I've written half of the songs on that, so it's sort of a vehicle for that. But a standalone project with my name on it—I have thought about it and would like to do it, but I'm not currently working on it. I have some song ideas and am always working on new songs, so yes, that is something I would like to do. 

Awesome. Now, you have four albums: Afterglow, Press Play, Revolutions, and Resolution 88. You also have a new single that just recently came out called "Final Approach," correct? Who is playing on that single, and what inspired it? Yeah, that's correct. We've done three full albums, and Press Play is more of an EP with only three songs. This next single is from our next full album with eight songs. "Final Approach" is a really mellow song for hanging out and taking it easy. I'm not exactly sure what Tom's inspiration was for it, but it's got a really laid-back feel.   

Awesome. I love it. Will you release this next project on vinyl, digitally, or both? Yes, both. It'll be available on vinyl and digitally released on all platforms. You can also get it from our Bandcamp page. The official release date is June 19th. 

Great. Can you tell me about any upcoming shows? Are you guys planning on going on tour or opening for anyone? Yes, we have a few shows lined up to support the release. Ronnie Scott's was our official launch gig, and then we also played Peggy's Skylight in Nottingham. 

Oh, I visited Nottingham once. I didn't see Robin Hood, but it was fantastic. (laughs) That's great.  

Yes, it was. Tiago, I have one last question I'd like to ask you: what advice would you give to new and upcoming artists wanting to become musicians? The main thing is to keep working on your craft every day. There will be days when you're doing high-profile gigs and others when you're back playing at a pub for a small crowd. But every opportunity is a chance to improve and meet new people, which can lead to more opportunities. 

For example, I once did a pub jazz jam gig on a Monday night and met a great drummer. We became friends and started a project, eventually leading to my first European tour. You never know where a new connection might take you. So, especially when you're young, say yes to as many opportunities as possible. Work on your craft every day. 

Absolutely. Thank you so much. It's been an honor and a privilege to interview such an amazingly talented musician like yourself. Thank you. You're a very talented singer yourself. 

Tiago, Thank you. I appreciate it. Yeah, it was great to see you perform this year.  

Thank you, and likewise. It's an honor to know you. I pray that God will continue to bless the works of your hands in accordance with His will for your life. I also pray that prominent doors will open for you and that you will meet great people who will support you and have your best interests at heart. I'm proud of all your accomplishments and look forward to seeing great things happen to you. 

Thank you, Gina. My pleasure.  

The End Of Interview

https://tcbass.co.uk/lessons/