producer, engineer, musician, guitar and bass instructor

bio:
As early as I can remember I have been captivated by the ‘magic’ of recording. I started recording and playing with Minneapolis bands in 1985. I love what I do, and the process seems to come naturally to me.

Influences:
Mike Oldfeild (solo masterpiece “Tubular Bells” -1973)
Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix; come to think of it, everything I've ever listened to! Local Jazz guitar Icon Mike Elliott was a strong musical mentor to me. He & my Mom introduced me to the Twin Cities Jazz scene, & to professional & home studio recording. Tutelage under Jimmy Anton didn't hurt, either. :-)

(-: yes, I used to have long hair :-)
Recording music is much more than digitally reproducing data. To me, it’s about capturing the artists’ feelings and indescribable nuances of their performance. The best way to do this is by creating a comfortable environment where the musician can explore freely and let their musical expressions evolve. I try to balance quality with energy; that is, always get the best sound technically possible, while keeping the ball rolling. Often, the 'first take' has a unique energy that can't be reproduced. If spontaneous creativity is not captured quickly, it can get stale.

The best part about being a studio engineer, for me, is feeling the joy when someone hears their creation come to life, and capturing that energy so it can bring continuous enjoyment to them, and everyone who hears it.

Clients & Artists
Over the past 20 years, JR has played with many bands, & has been involved in numerous musical projects, spanning hundreds of gigs recording sessions. Some of these include Dr. Mambo’s Combo, The Sounds of Blackness, The Widgets, The Steeles, Aisha’s Wild, Billy Club, The Strange Friends, Katy Thomasburg (LICK), Kari Tauring's Yuletide & Solstice Shows,...

"Out Among 'Em" -Chris Mulkey, JR & Guy Drake

Jared Mason & Noni (The Lovers)
with Pete Kavanaugh, Matt Hertel & JR

...The Sizzling Eggheads, Ipso Facto, Iya Rik, Pete Kavanaugh, & members of The Kurt Jorgensen Band, The Sounds of Blackness, Soul Tight Committee, and R&B Great Roberta Davis.

The BUZZ Band Page

Home-Bass studio projects include artists like Michael Bland and members of Prince’s ‘Revolution’, World-class Sax player Eric Leeds, various folks from the “Prairie Home Companion Show”, The Honeydogs, Trailer Trash, The Suburbs, Beat The Clock, Bobby Ekstrand, and phenomenal local Jazz artist Clay Moore.

- Click on samples to hear selections.

Home BASS Remodel & Addition:
The new location in
Minnetonka is coming along beautifully.
It currently has a functional production &
control room, & 2 rooms are being finished.
The new addition is a sunny 16’ x 18’ ground-level
“walk-out” leading into the private back yard.
It has a large deck, a big fire pit, &
is bordered by woods.

Pix & Plans of NEW Location:

Spencer from "MALITIA" in the booth

floor-plan:

~ Current projects ~
Check out the our most recent video soundtrack,
'Talk to Me' by "The Lovers".
Visit www.theloversshow.com

Click on the "Lovers" video clip.

"Bobby Ekstrand Trio" Feat. Aisha Baker
Appearing at: Bella Notte, Downtown Minneapolis,
Wed., Aug. 24, 8 - 10 PM.
Watch for new gig dates & CD releases for the
"Bobby Ekstrand Trio" Feat. Aisha Baker, vocals,
& (Home) Bassist JR Hartley.

~Mixing Live recording of
The Clay Moore Trio@ the French Press Jazz Cafe,
213 4th Street East, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Contact: (651) 224-2732, http://fpjazz.com/
Contact Clay: clay@claymoore.com
http://www.claymoore.com/
~Also, The Clay Moore Trio will be in session @ "Home-BASS"
Watch for their new Live & Studio releases.

"Josh & Sandi Theme 01"

- E-book edit: "By the Seat of Your Pants". A Management Guide by Tom Gegax, local founder of "Tires Plus".
- A new project by Bobby E.
- The Patsy Cline Tribute , Part 2, by Janie Miller

- Editing the "Blood On the Tracks, LIVE" show. Includes original members of Bob Dylan's 'Blood On the Tracks' sessions, like local Jazz legends Billy Peterson and Bill Berg, with Peter Ostroushko, Kevin Odegard, Gregg Inhofer and Chris Weber. Recorded Live at the Minneapolis Pantages Theatre, March 2003. At their Medina Ballroom show this May, these original "BOTT" members were inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.

DEMO 101

New to the recording studio?

Whether you are a musician, or an engineer, be prepared to make the most of your sessions by gaining ‘hands-on’ experience from a local professional in a working studio, not a class room.

Learn about set-up, pre-production, microphone placement, tracking, mixing and more.

Email us for more details, Or check our website: www.homebassaudio.com

Guitar & Bass Lessons

JR Solo Page

The BUZZ Band Page

Gear for Sale