Don Schiff
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Kerri Anderson
Labyrinth 1992 CD US Impact
Don Schiff
Don Schiff (born November 9, 1955) is a bass guitar, Chapman Stick, and NS/Stick player on recordings, TV, and film sessions. He is one of the earliest Stick and NS/Stick players.
A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Schiff moved to Las Vegas, Nevada immediately after high school in 1974. At age 19 he quickly developed a reputation and within five months got his first break when hired to be the 'house bassist' for the Flamingo Las Vegas and Hilton Hotel Showrooms. There, he played for such artists as Elvis Presley, Tina Turner, Peggy Lee, Sammy Davis, Ann-Margret, Perry Como, and The Fifth Dimension, as well as others.
Schiff purchased his first Chapman Stick in 1975 and quickly adapted to it, creating his own style of playing. Gradually, around the time he was making the move to Los Angeles in 1977, he began using it during live dates and recording sessions for various artists including Eddie Money, Lana Lane, Dwight Yoakam, Erik Norlander and Sheryl Crow. He met screenwriter and director Patrick Sean Duncan who hired him to score the films Live From Death Row and Family Values. He can be seen briefly in both of those films since Pat Duncan cast him in films he directed, placing him in odd scenes.
In 2000, Emmett Chapman and Ned Steinberger developed the first prototype NS/Stick. Schiff was given one of the first two prototypes to try out. He developed many new techniques on it including "tapping while plucking" and "slide technique" using a carabiner while tapping.
The song "Cerebral Man", which he wrote along with Tully Winfield, was recorded by Pat Benatar on her album entitled Wide Awake In Dreamland for which he received a gold album in 1988. The song "With Every Word" recorded by Nia Peeples on her self titled album was also written by Schiff and Winfield.
Solo albums
- Timeless (1999)
- Wait By The River (2002)
- Peering Over Clouds (2005)
NS/Stick innovator
Performed, written and/or recorded with the following Artists
Elvis Presley Tina Turner Elvin Bishop Lance Matthew Tully Winfield Pat Benatar Nia Peeples Pam Tillis Perry Como Sheryl Crow Dwight Yoakam Raquel Welch Stacia Frankie Avalon Lana Lane Bobby Vinton Herbie Hancock Rocket Scientists Ike Turner Al Green The Diamonds The Lettermen The 5th Dimensions Peggy Lee (I) Jerry Lewis Fabian Bobby Rydell Frankie Avalon Cliff Morrison Vaughn Monroe Buddy Morrow Dave Schiff Warren Covington Ann-Margret Shirley MacLaine Ben Vereen Myron Floren Myron Cohen The Muppets Long John Baldry Connie Stevens Erik Norlander Chuck Berry Kerri Anderson Sammy Davis Les Brown Bob Hope Mills Brothers John Davidson Eddie Fisher Michelle Sell Greg Ellis Neil Citron Vinny Appice Patrick Sheane Duncan Arjen Anthony Lucassen Eddie Money Marilyn McCoo Billy Davis Jr. Jim Stafford Ella Fitzgerald Tommy Amato Spencer Spink Sercombe Jeff Morrow The Sweet Inspirations J.D. Sumner The Nicholas Brothers Vickie Carr Paul Stanley (KISS)
