United States Embassy to Host Bass Guitar Workshop

Lilongwe – The Public Affairs Section of the American Embassy in partnership with the Department of Arts and Crafts is pleased to announce that it will host a bass guitar workshop at the Public Affairs Section Auditorium, Old Mutual Building, City Center, Lilongwe on Friday, September 30, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.



Professional bass player Chris Baio of rock band Vampire Weekend will conduct instruction in an exciting learning environment for players of all abilities. Attendants will be exposed to various styles and techniques of bass, and they will be able to choose an area of focus in smaller groups. Ability to read music is not required for the training session.



Although the clinic will be led by a bass player, other players such as percussionists/drummers, guitarists, keyboardists, horn instrumentalists and vocalists are invited to the workshop for a lively exchange of music ideas between Malawi and the United States.



The workshop will conclude with a special participants’ performance featuring all instruments but with emphasis on the bass.
Baio is an American musician best known for being the bassist for the New York City-based indie rock band Vampire Weekend. He will be in Malawi to perform at the Lake of Stars Festival.

Baio was turned on to music at an early age, purchasing his first album at the age of seven and going to his first concert, a live performance by the band Cracker, at the age of nine. Baio said that as a child, he would go to sleep listening to “Doolittle” by The Pixies.

Baio attended Columbia University in New York, majoring in Russian and Eurasian Regional studies and minoring in Math, finally graduating in May of 2007. He served as College Rock Music Director of WBAR during his time at university.

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