Oteil and the Peacemakers

Oteil Burbridge has risen fast to the top of his game. His bass playing is routinely likened to that of legends Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke and Milt Hinton. Gaining noteriety for his funky stlylings and finger prowess on the six-string in projects like Aquarium Rescue Unit and Gov't Mule, he's also member of The Allman Brothers Band, picking up a Grammy nod as songwriter for "Instrumental Illness" on their 2003 release "Hittin' the Note."

His "other band," Oteil and Peacemakers, is now touring to promote their most recent album, "The Family Secret."

Burbridge took a few minutes from his hectic schedule to talk about playing bass.

What was it like to step into a band that's been around for three decades?

In some ways it was intimidating, but in other ways it was just like any other band. You have to learn the material, learn how the composer hears it, learn how it has evolved over the years, and feel your way through the chemistry between the particular group of people that you're working with. Plus I didn't really know that much about them before I got the gig. I'm more of a jazz guy and I didn't have any of their records, so it was less intimidating than if they had been big heroes of mine.

What's been your best

experience with the Allman Brothers band?

Unfortunately, that would be impossible to say. There are so many things that have happened over the last eight years that I wouldn't know how to choose. There are just certain moments in time that are wonderous. You never know when they're going to happen or how long they will last. Plus the stuff that I think is cool, most people probably wouldn't get. Like when Little Milton, Jimmy Cobb, Hubert Sumlin or Jeff Watts sat in with us. I bet most people don't even know who they are.

Whose playing made you realize being a bassist could be the coolest position in a band?

I don't really think it is the coolest position, I think the drummer has the coolest spot! I've been playing drums since I was 5 so that's still my first love. I think every instrument is fun. I've played a lot of different instruments. I could be just as happy playing piano probably.

How do you keep your energy up for so many projects?

Fortunately, I can usually sleep whenever I feel like it. I really don't want to do so many projects anymore. I've really enjoyed all of them immensely but it's costly to spread my energy in so many directions. I'd rather do two things really well than do a bunch just OK. I'm going to really try hard to do just the peacemakers and the abb from now on.

Do you use different basses

and amps for your different projects or do you have a favorite combination?

I use different basses but the same amp. I guess I should say the same kind of amp. They are not physically the same but they are identical. It's an Ampeg svt iv Pro with a single 15-inch and 4- by 10-inch speaker cabinet. With the Allman Brothers Band I use a '64 Fender Jazz and a Modulus Quantum six-string. With The Peacemakers, I use a Fodera six-string, a '69 Gibson eb2 and soon I'll be adding a '66 Fender P-bass. It's hard to pick a favorite, each bass is best for certain songs. I like variety.

If you could sit in with any band that ever made an album, who would it be?

Weather Report with Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Peter Erskine, Robert Thomas Jr. and me in Jaco's spot! Now that would be cool. More than that though, I would love to have been able to just watch Charlie Christian, Howlin' Wolf, Jimi Hendrix, The Meters, The Rev. James Cleveland or James Brown in '71.

Oteil and the Peacemakers make a stop on their tour Thursday, June 16 at The Stone Church in Newmarket with local favorites One Hand Free. A night of funky rock will ensue.