Biography

The Big Album is Alex Lacquement’s debut release. There couldn’t be a better title for a first album from someone who’s nickname is “Big Al”. Lacquement’s performance on the upright bass as both a melodic voice and an assertive accompanist is the anchoring sound of this album. This release showcases Lacquement’s ability to weave fluidly between being a soloist and supporting the other musicians. Listeners will hear Alex’s highly skilled playing right out of the gates on his two originals that open the album.

Lyrically the album focuses on the themes of leaving and loss.
The instrumental numbers compliment those moods of the songs
with melancholic vibes and contrasting jubilation. Alex’s intimate original song “My Dear Friend” tears at the heartstrings of anyone who has gone through the loss of a parent or guardian.

Instrumentally, The Big Album features collaborations with Alex Lacquement’s favorite musicians from Baltimore’s teaming music scene. The album flows effortlessly from upright bass in duo settings to full band numbers with large vocal harmonies. Alex collaborates with all of his bandmates from Charm City Junction (Patrick McAvinue, 2017 IBMA Fiddler Player of the year; Brad Kolodner, clawhammer banjo star; and Sean McComiskey, International renown button accordion player). The interplay between Alex’s upright bass playing and Luke Chohany’s guitar playing displays what can only happen after years of making music together. The drum grooves provided by Dan Samuels locked in with Lacquement’s bass playing will get your toe tapping and your hips swaying. The Big Album captures both the contemplative and jubilance that Alex Lacquement emits as an artist.



ARTIST BIO:
Rooted in the sounds of American-born music Baltimore based bassist, Alex Lacquement has crafted a unique style that is dazzling, lyrical, and transcends musical genres. Whether on stage playing jazz, old-time, bluegrass, or playing with singer song-writers his tone is unmistakable and joy for performing is obvious and infectious. In addition to being an energetic, assertive, and groovy ensemble player and imaginative soloist, he is a skilled arranger, composer and producer.

Alex is an active performer around North America playing at performing arts centers and festivals with the critically acclaimed acoustic roots quartet Charm City Junction, Ken and Brad Kolodner, Letitia VanSant, and other Baltimore Based Artists. He has performed at The Kennedy Center, The Birchmere, Le Poisson Rouge, The Gordon Center, Wheeler Opera House, Mountain Stage, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Walnut Valley Festival, Grey Fox, Winter Jazz, DelFest, California World Festival, Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, and more.

Alex holds degrees in music education from the Eastman School of Music (M.M.) and from James Madison University (B.M.). As a music educator he focuses on teaching community-based music through aurally learned songs and tunes, and dance. When he is not on the stage performing, he can be found cultivating Baltimore’s Bluegrass scene, curating concerts at Music on the Square, and making social dance happen via the Baltimore Honky Tonk.