Scott Mulvahill

The DataBass Incubator will support the development of a groundbreaking MIDI-enabled upright bass through research, experimentation, and design refinement, culminating in two public workshops to introduce its capabilities to fellow bassists and explore its potential in jazz and beyond.

About the Artist

Frontman. Singer-songwriter. World-renowned upright bassist. Multiinstrumentalist. Inventor. Scott Mulvahill is leaving his unique mark on the intersecting worlds of Americana, folk, jazz, and experimental music. After a degree in Jazz Studies from the renowned University of North Texas, Mulvahill cut his teeth as a member of Ricky Skaggs’ acclaimed band, Kentucky Thunder. The group toured internationally for five years, backed by the bottom-heavy pulse of Mulvahill's upright bass. Along the way, he also composed music of his own, shining a light on the genre-jumping influences — Paul Simon’s sophisticated pop, James Taylor’s folk, Jaco Pastorius’ innovative jazz, and more — that would eventually inspire the material on his 2018 solo debut, Himalayas. His performances as part of Skaggs’ nightly shows laid the brickwork for Mulvahill’s transition from hotshot sideman to compelling frontman. Since taking the solo leap, he’s performed hundreds of concerts, appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk and Mountain Stage, and collaborated with luminary artists such as Cory Wong, Cody Fry, Lauren Daigle, Keb Mo, Oliver Hazard, Ben Rector, and many more. 

Over the Covid pandemic, Mulvahill began work on the DataBass, an instrument of his own design and conception. The DataBass reimagines the upright bass by blending its timeless foundation with modern technology. The design incorporates a custom MIDI controller directly onto the upright bass body, featuring trigger pads within the player's reach. These triggers, equipped with LED lights, allow audiences to connect the sounds they hear with the performance they see. The MIDI system enables playback of a wide array of sounds—from drums and synths to string pads, vocals, and more—all while the bass is being played live. It maintains the bass’s core identity while enabling it to produce sample-based soundscapes and grooves. 

The current prototype has already demonstrated its potential, allowing Scott Mulvahill (the inventor) to garner millions of views across social platforms, and be recognized by artists and industry legends alike, such as Jacob Collier, Sheila E (Prince),Tash Sultana, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, and more. Scott aims to refine the instrument’s uses as he continues to showcase its possibilities in the studio, online, and on tour.