Rod McCaulley

Rod McCaulley exemplifies that uncommon musician, highly proficient in both jazz and classical music. As an acoustic double bass player of exceptional ability and technique, he is in considerable demand as performer, teacher and educator in the communities of southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.

He counts among his teachers New York City based bassists Michael Moore and Jack Lesberg. In Boston he studied electric bass with Oscar Stagnero. Rod is presently a member of the double bass section of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and has appeared with the Cape Cod, Nashua (N.H.) and Plymouth (MA) symphony orchestras. An accomplished pianist he has studied with Julliard faculty member the late John Mehegan and Boston – based pianist Paul Schmeling.

In addition to his work with symphony orchestras and chamber music ensembles, Rod has appeared with some of New York’s best known and prestigious jazz musicians, including singer Maxine Sullivan, drummer Bobby Rosengarden, guitarist Vic Juris, and pianist Walter Bishop Jr. as well as such instrumentalists as Bob Wilber, Randy Johnson, Max Kaminsky and Bob Mover.

An active member of the Cape Cod, & Boston musical scene since the early 80’s, Rod became a full-time resident in 1991. He has kept a busy schedule of free-lance appearances on the Cape, Boston, & Southeast MA. with such musicians as the late cornet/trumpet player Ruby Braff, guitarists Jon Wheatley and Gray Sargent, clarinet/sax player Dick Johnson, trumpeter and educator Herb Pomeroy, vibes/piano player Ed Saindon, and pioneering alto saxophonist Lee Konitz. His big band work includes a stint with the Artie Shaw Orchestra.

As a dedicated teacher committed to handing down the Jazz tradition as well as teaching bass, piano, guitar, music theory and improvisation at his studio in South Yarmouth, MA, and at Cape Cod Conservatory in Falmouth, & West Barnstable, MA. Rod  directed the Cape Cod Jazz Society’s youth jazz ensemble from 1995 to 2007. A significant number of these students have gone on to major in jazz programs at some of this country’s most eminent music schools.

 

Updates:

Played 5 string electric bass for a new musical “Unexpected Joy” at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater July & August 2016.

Played bass with Tracy Lee & Kenney Greene at WHAT Theater doing Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. August 2015.

Played Played in Orchestra with Gloriae Del Cantores playing Mendelssohn’s Elijah July 2015. Pilgrims Progress Fall 2017.

Taught bass, guitar & piano at Cape Cod Conservatory in Falmouth and West Barnstable for over 10 years ending in 2023.

Taught guitar at the Sandwich Montessori school. Taught a guitar class at Mattacheese Middle School (Yarmouth).

Former classroom music teacher at Sandwich Montessori School.

October 9 & 10, 2010 played string bass with Singer Steve Lippia with a jazz trio out in front of the Cape Cod Symphony Pops.

March 6th, 2011 & March 31, 2012 played bass with Plymouth Symphony. With Cape Symphony May 5 & 6, 2012, April 5 & 6 2014

Studied guitar with Fred Fried.

Played bass for “A’int Misbehavin” July 9- 21st, 2012, “They’re Playing Our Song” the music of Marvin Hamlisch June 24th- July 6th, 2013 at the Cape Playhouse

Directed the All- Cape H.S. Jazz Festival Orchestra at Dennis Yarmouth H.S. April 10,2013.  Also did this April 2009 at Harwich H.S.

Played string bass for the production Always Patsy Cline at the Cape Playhouse July 6-16, 2022.