
Upright Citizens
Come hang with some effortlessly cool professional jazz bassists who have a lot to say about music, life, and of course...the bass! Great interviews with legendary artists, funny road stories, playing and practicing advice, listening suggestions, and much more await you on your journey with the Upright Citizens.
Latest episodes

Jul 1, 2025 • 16min
Free Association - Bob's Turn
"In this episode Reuben mentions three names and has Bob respond on the spot with his thoughts. You'll have to listen to find out who gets mentioned...and to hear what Bob has to say about them!"If you like Bass - you're in the right place! Interested in more music and practice advice? Check out Open Studio...where you'll find courses and much more by world-class bassists like Reuben Rogers, Ron Carter, Christian McBride, Bob DeBoo and more. Reach out to the Upright Citizens anytime at uprightcitizenspodcast@gmail.com
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Jun 3, 2025 • 38min
Drum & Bass Teams Pt 4
"The connection between the bass and the drums is a deep one! In this episode we shine light on two of our favorite teams: Peter Washington/Kenny Washington and Robert Hurst/Jeff Tain Watts. Let's listen together and dig into what makes these teams so great..."Peter Washington/Kenny Washington:1) Bill Charlap Trio "While We're Young" (Live at the Village Vanguard)2) Grant Stewart "Koko" (Downton Sounds)Robert Hurst/Jeff 'Tain' Watts:1) Wynton Marsalis "Cherokee" (Standard Time Vol. 1)2) Branford Marsalis "Wolverine" (Crazy People Music)If you like Bass - you're in the right place! Interested in more music and practice advice? Check out Open Studio...where you'll find courses and much more by world-class bassists like Reuben Rogers, Ron Carter, Christian McBride, Bob DeBoo and more. Reach out to the Upright Citizens anytime at uprightcitizenspodcast@gmail.com
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May 6, 2025 • 16min
Free Association - Reuben's Turn
"This is a fun one! Bob says three names, and Reuben shares his immediate thoughts on those folks. There's a theme here, but you have to listen to find out!"If you like Bass - you're in the right place! Interested in more music and practice advice? Check out Open Studio...where you'll find courses and much more by world-class bassists like Reuben Rogers, Ron Carter, Christian McBride, Bob DeBoo and more. Reach out to the Upright Citizens anytime at uprightcitizenspodcast@gmail.com
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Apr 1, 2025 • 18min
Bow Bros
"Finding the right bow is a very personal journey and can be daunting. Join the Citizens as they discuss Reuben's recent search for a bow while on tour..."If you like Bass - you're in the right place! Interested in more music and practice advice? Check out Open Studio...where you'll find courses and much more by world-class bassists like Reuben Rogers, Ron Carter, Christian McBride, Bob DeBoo and more. Reach out to the Upright Citizens anytime at uprightcitizenspodcast@gmail.com
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Mar 4, 2025 • 12min
Do We Need Music Theory?
"Music 'theory'....Is it helpful? Is it a crutch? Can it make you a better player? Can it stifle your creativity? Come join the Upright Citizens as we kind of say 'yes' to all of these questions!"If you like Bass - you're in the right place! Interested in more music and practice advice? Check out Open Studio...where you'll find courses and much more by world-class bassists like Reuben Rogers, Ron Carter, Christian McBride, Bob DeBoo and more. Reach out to the Upright Citizens anytime at uprightcitizenspodcast@gmail.com
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Feb 4, 2025 • 18min
Atomic Habits: the Journey
The Upright Citizens are back! This time with some inspired ideas on creating new habits in your musical life that will set you up for success. We tend to focus so much on goals, but in this episode Bob and Reuben take time to talk about the journey. If you like Bass - you're in the right place! Interested in more music and practice advice? Check out Open Studio...where you'll find courses and much more by world-class bassists like Reuben Rogers, Ron Carter, Christian McBride, Bob DeBoo and more. Reach out to the Upright Citizens anytime at uprightcitizenspodcast@gmail.com
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Dec 24, 2024 • 31min
2024 Retrospective
"We're taking a look back at some of our favorite Upright Citizens moments of 2024!"If you like Bass - you're in the right place! Interested in more music and practice advice? Check out Open Studio...where you'll find courses and much more by world-class bassists like Reuben Rogers, Ron Carter, Christian McBride, Bob DeBoo and more. Reach out to the Upright Citizens anytime at uprightcitizenspodcast@gmail.com
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Dec 10, 2024 • 20min
Accepting Criticism
"It's not always easy to hear, but receiving criticism is a gift! This episode deals with ideas on how to be open to criticism, what to do with it, and perhaps how to give it to yourself..."If you like Bass - you're in the right place! Interested in more music and practice advice? Check out Open Studio...where you'll find courses and much more by world-class bassists like Reuben Rogers, Ron Carter, Christian McBride, Bob DeBoo and more. Reach out to the Upright Citizens anytime at uprightcitizenspodcast@gmail.com
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Nov 26, 2024 • 24min
Staying Fresh & Inspired
"We all end up so busy and it's easy to get burned out these days....so what can we do to get and stay inspired as musicians? Join the Citizens this time as they share their ideas about keeping it fresh!"If you like Bass - you're in the right place! Interested in more music and practice advice? Check out Open Studio...where you'll find courses and much more by world-class bassists like Reuben Rogers, Ron Carter, Christian McBride, Bob DeBoo and more. Reach out to the Upright Citizens anytime at uprightcitizenspodcast@gmail.com
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Nov 12, 2024 • 26min
Bassist Spotlight: Percy Heath
"This time the Citizens celebrate one of the greatest, and perhaps underrated, bassists of all time - Percy Heath. He played and recorded with everyone from Bird to Dizzy and was a crucial component to the Modern Jazz Quartet. Join us as we listen and learn more about the great Percy Heath!"UC - Percy Heath PlaylistIf you like Bass - you're in the right place! Interested in more music and practice advice? Check out Open Studio...where you'll find courses and much more by world-class bassists like Reuben Rogers, Ron Carter, Christian McBride, Bob DeBoo and more. Reach out to the Upright Citizens anytime at uprightcitizenspodcast@gmail.com
★ Support this podcast ★