Brett’s  Bass Fund was established in the memory of renowned bass player Brett Rothfeld, who passed away two year ago. Brett played a range of music and played in bands such as Napalm, Fuzzbubble, The Plums, Brown Sabbath and Cousin Junebug. He worked with artists such as Mike Clink, Susannah Hoffs, Jimmy Page, Mike DiNuzio and Puff Daddy. 

The mission of BBF is to provide resources to those who desire to learn the bass but may not have the resources or support. Through a nomination process, once a year the Fund will award  individuals with scholarships which include a year’s worth of bass lessons, a bass guitar and mentorship with professional musicians.  The BBF was launched in 2022 by Brett’s friends and family to celebrate his life and legacy. His wife Kristina Haddad is the Director of the organization and the staff and board are all-volunteer. 

Do you or someone you know want to learn the bass but don’t have the support or resources?

Are you or someone you know going through a tough time that could benefit from the gift of music?

Tell us more!  

You can choose to submit an essay or a video submission!

Nomination Requirements*:

• Tell us about yourself or the person you’re nominating connection to music, who you/they are, and why you think you or they would benefit from Brett’s Bass Fund. 500 words max, please. Optional: include something about your/their favorite kind of pizza. (We promise not to judge based on pizza, it’s just that it was one of Brett’s favorite foods, so we like thinking about pizza.)

• Video – a one minute video explaining why you or your nominee should be a recipient of a BBF scholarship. P.S. You can get creative with this…or not. We would love to learn about you or who they are! 

•  U.S. Residents only. 

Please click here to access the Nomination Application Form!

Submission Date Deadline: Deadline has been extended to December 31, 2023

Brett’s passion for music was deep and wide and encompassed all genres, from heavy metal and rock to jazz and funk and everything in between.  He was also passionate about food, cooking, animals, nature, biking and travel. With his band Fuzzbubble, he earned a Platinum Album and an MTV Video award (“All about the Benjamins”). He performed on Saturday Night Live with Jimmy Page.

In Brett’s own words, “As to my taste in music – that’s an endless question that I could espouse on in many, many pages – but in short, I love discovering music from around the world, exploring the various decades and centuries – looking at history through the lens of music – for instance – pre-Khmer Rouge Cambodian pop to French pop music from the 60s and 70s – to attending hardcore matinees at CBGBs in the 80s; seeing hard rock bands like AC/DC and Rush; to attending improv music festivals, world music….

My mind is a steel trap when describing and explaining music – that I can do until the wee hours of the night and into the morning if there is a willing audience! My interest and deep knowledge of music spans many years – growing up in NYC in the 70s, 80s and 90s, I watched many music milestones happen first hand.”

Brett died by suicide in August, 2021. We have provided a page of resources related to suicide awareness. Please click here. 

For more on BBF: Click Here