Ace of bass

Mike Sciacca

Surf City is known for many things, but one little-known secret

recently revealed is that it is home to one of the world’s top bass

players.

That revelation comes from accomplished musician Mark Davidson,

who heads The Mark Davidson Trio and Friends, an ensemble whose

numbers vary but whose offerings of jazz-oriented performances have

been heralded in reviews.

Davidson has been playing on the local scene since 1960.

Friday night, at the Tee Room in Newport Beach, Davidson’s group

will put on its final show of the 2002 season.

The night will feature the Riviera Band, a five-member ensemble

that includes bassist Dave Stone of Huntington Beach.

Stone, 47, has played with the best of them in recording work for

CDs, motion picture soundtracks and TV commercials.

“He is an absolute phenomenon on bass ... a virtuoso,” exclaimed

Davidson, who met Stone three years ago. “Dave has done it all and

has an incredible talent. I’ve had the opportunity to play with him

quite a few times and can say, without a doubt, that he is one of the

top 20 bassists in the world. He’s amazing.”

Music has been the only “job” Stone says he has known, other than

a paper route he had as a youngster.

Getting his musical inclination from his father and an uncle at

around age 9, Stone went on to play in a band at Eagle Rock High. He

has been freelancing as a musician since 1974, he said.

“It’s all I do, and I love it,” he said. “It’s funny not to have a

job that is set in stone. I never know what’s coming next, but the

work seems to come along. I’ve been busy all these years and have had

some wonderful experiences.”

The beginning to Stone’s freelance musical journey was anything

but humble. He was gifted enough to play on the road with music

legends Ray Anthony, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton and Harry James from

1974 to 1977.

In 1977, he toured with Nancy Wilson and later worked with Louie

Bellson’s Band on the West Coast, as well as with other ensembles.

In addition, Stone has done many jazz recordings with the likes of

James, Kenton, Bellson and Tommy Newson.

Many of his recordings can be found on Arbor Records.

His repertoire extends well into popular music, too.

Stone has recorded both rhythm and orchestra bass with a virtual

who’s who of the music industry, a lengthy list that includes Frank

Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, Barry Manilow, Neil

Diamond, Willie Nelson, Madonna, Prince, Natalie Cole, Faith Hill,

Jennifer Warnes, Aerosmith, Davis Gaines, Toad the Wet Sprocket and

Beck.

He has also traveled with Debbie Boone and Bobby Vinton.

A highlight of his career, he said, was having the chance to work

with gospel legend Andre Crouch.

“That was a thrill, to say the least,” he said. “I’ve had the

fortune to work with some outstanding people and musicians over the

years. I enjoy my work, whether it’s playing on the road or in a

local club.”

Stone’s work extends into concerts, jazz clubs, parties and

Broadway shows.

He has performed in “Beauty and the Beast,” “Ragtime,”

“Cinderella,” “Sunset Blvd.,” “Les Miserables” and “Fiddler on the

Roof.”

Currently, he is a substitute performer in the Tony Award-winning

the “Lion King.”

Stone has made his mark in the motion picture business, his work

featured on the soundtracks of movies like “Arachnophobia,” “The

Color Purple,” “Free Willy,” “Ghostbusters,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,”

“Sleepless in Seattle,” “Rush Hour 2,” “Santa Clause, The Movie” and

“The Santa Clause II,” which is currently in theaters.

“He’s done it all -- played with the best and performed on stages

everywhere,” Davidson said. “He is one of the best, and if you

haven’t heard Dave play, you’re really missing out.”

If you watch closely during TV commercial breaks, you might be

able to spot Stone playing in a national spot for Chili’s Restaurant.

The commercial began airing earlier this month.

* MIKE SCIACCA covers sports and features. He can be reached at

(714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.