Workshop by Yolanda Charles at Amsterdam Guitar Heaven on Saturday afternoon, 22 November
From Robbie Williams, Paul Weller and Hans Zimmer to solo
Events 22-10-2025 12:10
On Saturday 22 November, Yolanda Charles will visit Q-Factory Amsterdam for a clinic at the Workshopfestival and Gearshow Amsterdam Guitar Heaven. The highly experienced British bassist was the first choice of Hans Zimmer, Robbie Williams, Sting and Paul Weller for many years. For De Bassist Magazine - in collaboration with Sandberg Guitars - it was therefore a very easy decision to invite her.
Saturday, 22 November 2025, 12:00-19:00
Amsterdam Guitar Heaven, Q-Factory, Amsterdam
Tickets can be ordered from Ticketmaster
One ticket for Gearshow + Workshop Festival €17.50* Students €9.50*
* Ticket price includes service and payment fees.
Our first encounter with Paul Weller
Yolanda Charles first caught our attention when modfather Paul Weller released his album Live Wood (CD and video), partly recorded at the Paradiso in Amsterdam. Weller was perhaps at his peak as a guitarist, with songs featuring long solos. Yolanda's delightful, organic, sweet and rich-sounding lines immediately stood out. It was one of Charles' first big jobs, notably because Weller saw her playing with Candy Dulfer.
Touring with Robbie Williams
After that, things moved quickly. In recent years, Robbie Williams has been back in the news, partly because of his painfully revealing documentary - highly recommended - on Netflix. He looks back on his huge stadium tours and who do we see there? Yolanda Charles, indeed, as musical director and bassist. The fact that she recorded a few songs with the Dutch band Kane is a story in itself.
With Hans Zimmer at the Ziggo Dome
Through encounters at NAMM, Warwick Bass Camp and the London Bass Shows, Yolanda became well known to our magazine, and the last time we saw her play was at the Ziggo Dome with world-famous film composer Hans Zimmer. Of course, we gave her a tour of our capital city, so we hope she still knows the way from Schiphol to Q-Factory! And if not, we'll arrange a taxi. Yolanda did much more. She played with Squeeze, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton. Sting asked her to be his bassist for a solo tour that was cancelled due to corona (but still!). She also played on Old Habits Die Hard by Mick Jagger & Dave Stewart.
Her own band Project pH
“Professional bassist and entrepreneur by nature,” she once told Remus Aussen for De Bassist. Yolanda never sits still, she works hard on her solo career and is currently playing all over England with her own funk blues jazz rock band Project pH.
Sandberg signature bass
Sandberg Guitars recently honoured her with a signature bass. Sandberg is also a partner in the clinic that Yolanda will be giving at Amsterdam Guitar Heaven on 22 November. Will we see you there?
Saturday 22 November 2025, 12:00-19:00
Amsterdam Guitar Heaven, Q-Factory, Amsterdam
Tickets can be ordered from Ticketmaster
One ticket for Gearshow + Workshop Festival £17.50* Students £9.50*
* Ticket price includes service and payment fees.
