In jazz, as in most music, the bass is the underside line. It’s each a part of the rhythmic basis of the music (together with the drums) and the sonic glue that binds all the things collectively. Within the New Orleans-style jazz ensembles of the early twentieth Century, basslines had been normally performed by the tuba – reflecting jazz’s marching-band roots – however that instrument was ultimately outmoded by the upright, four-string double bass. Because the jaunty 2/4 meter of 20s jazz developed into the fluid 4/4 swing rhythms of the 30s that outlined the large band period, the most effective jazz bassists performed an important half in preserving the music flowing by enjoying strolling strains that had been normally slapped violently to allow the unamplified instrument to be heard.
The mid-40s and the rise of bebop – normally performed in small teams – witnessed the emergence of a unique form of bassist: one whose approach and virtuosity was anticipated to match that of gladiatorial horn gamers. Bassists had been nonetheless anticipated to harmonically anchor the music, which had turn out to be extra advanced, however plucked somewhat than slapped their devices’ strings. In addition they started to take pleasure in a freer contrapuntal position with extra independence – which got here with better expressive scope. This was the time of groundbreaking bassists corresponding to Milt Hinton, Jimmy Blanton, and Oscar Pettiford, whose formidable approach and deep understanding of concord nonetheless ranks them among the many greatest jazz bassists in historical past.
Throughout the arduous bop age of the 50s, characterised by a more durable, extra aggressive, blues-based sort of bebop, jazz bassists boasted a much bigger sound and performed strolling basslines in incremental steps that swung the music with a profound sense of groove. The likes of Ray Brown, Artwork Davis, Percy Heath and Leroy Vinnegar had been masters of this and confirmed that the most effective jazz bassists had been an indispensable and extremely influential element of any good ensemble.
However within the early 60s, a younger man referred to as Scott LaFaro proved that, in addition to anchoring the music and giving it cohesion, the bassist may even have a legitimate position as an improviser, particularly if he performed in a band that had a extra democratic ethos. One such group was pianist Invoice Evans’ trio, through which LaFaro made a big impact. Crucially, throughout the identical timeframe, LaFaro additionally labored with free jazz maven Ornette Coleman, whose idea of collective improvisation additionally helped to liberate the bass from a time-keeping position. LaFaro died tragically younger however forged an enormous affect as the most effective jazz bassists in historical past. Because of him, as jazz developed all through the 60s so did the bass’ position in it.
Within the 70s, as curiosity in acoustic jazz waned, fusion, the plugged-in love-child of jazz and rock, held sway. It ushered in a brand new age dominated by two virtuosic electrical bassists with contrasting types and characters: Stanley Clarke and Jaco Pastorius, who had been each additionally noteworthy composers.
Whereas fusion was probably the most bankable and worthwhile sort of jazz within the 70s, its antithesis was free jazz, nonetheless very a lot an anti-commercial pariah, although it produced some revolutionary bassists within the form of Malachi Favors and William Parker.
Although jazz over the last 30 years has been marginalized commercially, a gradual stream of wonderful bassists have come by way of, starting from extra conventional acoustic masters the likes of Charnett Moffett and Christian McBride, to predominantly electrical ones corresponding to Marcus Miller.
Extra lately, rising stars Esperanza Spalding, Miles Mosley, Ben Williams and Derek Hodge have all introduced one thing totally different to the artwork of bass enjoying in jazz. Although every seeks to take jazz ahead into the longer term, all acknowledge the significance of the music’s previous, establishing themselves as skills that maintain their very own among the many greatest jazz bassists in historical past.
So, when you have a predilection for large backside ends and firmly consider that bass is the place, then this countdown of the 50 greatest jazz bassists of all time ought to hit the correct notes…
50: David Izenzon
Pittsburgh-born Izenzon didn’t take up the double bass till fairly late in his life – he was 24 – however rapidly established himself as a star of the New York avant-garde scene, enjoying alongside Ornette Coleman and Archie Shepp on a few of their key mid-60s recordings. His different credit included Sonny Rollins, Invoice Dixon and Yoko Ono. Izenzon died, aged 47, of a coronary heart assault, however although his profession was comparatively quick, he left some memorable music behind, particularly the frenetic bowed basslines that he performed with Ornette Coleman on the Blue Word album At The Golden Circle.
49: Victor Bailey
Like Alphonso Johnson earlier than him, Victor Bailey was a Philadelphian who made his identify enjoying electrical bass in famous fusion group Climate Report. He appeared on the band’s ultimate 4 albums and launched a number of albums below his personal identify, along with recording with Sonny Rollins, Tom Browne, Billy Cobham, Michael Brecker, Santana and Woman Gaga. His nimble fingers and talent to play sinuous and melodic basslines with seemingly easy ease ensures his place among the many greatest jazz bassists in historical past.
48: Alphonso Johnson
A key member of Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul’s influential fusion group, Climate Report, throughout the mid-70s, Philly-born Johnson’s fluid fretless electrical basslines had been a pivotal issue within the band embracing a funkier and extra business strategy to jazz. He appeared on their traditional albums Mysterious Traveller, Tail Spinnin’ and Black Market, although give up the band midway by way of recording the latter album when he realized he was about to get replaced by Jaco Pastorius. Johnson later performed with Billy Cobham, Phil Collins, Wayne Shorter and Genesis’ Steve Hackett.
47: John Clayton
A protégé of the good Ray Brown, with whom he studied (and recorded the good SuperBass albums, together with Christian McBride), California-born Clayton began enjoying bass as a teen and was quickly working professionally. In addition to enjoying with Depend Basie, his bass could be heard on recordings made by a number of famous feminine jazz singers, together with Nancy Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Carmen McRae and Diana Krall. In addition to enjoying bass, Grammy-winning Clayton can be a well-respected arranger, composer and trainer, and absolutely established his credentials as the most effective jazz bassists as co-leader of The Clayton Brothers Band, which additionally options his youthful sibling, saxophonist/flautist Jeff Clayton.
46: John Patitucci
This Brooklyn-born bass maven has loved a protracted and productive affiliation with Chick Corea because the 80s however has additionally been an in-demand session participant and has contributed to information by Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock, in addition to Warren Zevon and Natalie Cole. A grasp of each the acoustic and electrical basses, Patitucci marries dexterity and an knowledgeable harmonic sensibility with a lush tone to create sinuous basslines.
45: Paul Jackson
An electrical bassist from Oakland, California, who first began gigging when he was 12, Jackson rose to fame within the early 70s as a part of Herbie Hancock’s pathfinding jazz-funk band The Headhunters, and his muscular basslines fashioned the muse to the traditional albums Head Hunters, Thrust and Man-Baby. Jackson has additionally co-led The Headhunters as a separate entity on 5 albums recorded between 1975 and 2008. His different credit embody Santana, Harvey Mason, Eddie Henderson and Sonny Rollins. In addition to laying down seismic bass grooves, Jackson can be famous for his sweetly melodic high-register strains.
44: Marcus Miller
The nephew of Miles Davis pianist Wynton Kelly, Miller was a precociously proficient Brooklyn-born R&B bassist who was doing album periods in his teenagers. He developed right into a virtuoso bassist, completed composer and file producer who produced the acclaimed late 80s Miles Davis albums Tutu and Amandla. As the most effective jazz bassists to ever grasp the instrument, there’s nothing that the technically gifted and super-versatile Miller can’t play: he can lay down chunks of gutbucket funk with the requisite degree of earthiness and in addition execute troublesome jazz items with supreme ability and style.
43: George Mraz
Hailing from the Czech Republic, Mraz – famend for his instrument’s wealthy tone and supple, swinging basslines – made his identify within the US and was a member of pianist Oscar Peterson’s trio within the 70s. A prolific session participant (he’s appeared on file with Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Charles Mingus, Joe Henderson and Artwork Pepper), Mraz has launched a clutch of albums as each a pacesetter and co-leader, and continues to work immediately, in his mid-70s.
42: George Duvivier
Although he by no means recorded an album below his personal identify, this reliable New York-born double bassist appeared on myriad LP periods for the good and good of the jazz world throughout a productive, 45-year profession. He featured on a slew of albums by saxophonists Gene Ammons and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, and in addition recorded with Bud Powell, Sonny Stitt, Chico Hamilton, Coleman Hawkins and Shirley Scott. His sonorous bass could be heard on pop LPs by Janis Ian, Tom Waits, and Barry Manilow.
41: Spanky DeBrest
A Philly native, William “Spanky” DeBrest, like his bass-playing modern Paul Chambers, didn’t dwell to see his fortieth birthday. Although in the end not as important as Chambers, he nonetheless ranks among the many greatest jazz bassists in historical past. Serving to to put the muse for arduous bop bass enjoying, he grew to become extremely sought-after within the late 50s and early 60s, enjoying with Thelonious Monk and showing on albums by Clifford Jordan, Artwork Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Lee Morgan and John Coltrane.
40: Ron McClure
At 24, Connecticut-born McClure turned heads when he took over from the good Paul Chambers in pianist Wynton Kelly’s trio within the mid-60s. He registered on the radar of many jazz followers when he featured in saxophonist/flautist Charles Lloyd’s noteworthy late 60s quartet alongside pianist Keith Jarrett and drummer Jack DeJohnette. McClure’s different credit embody Joe Henderson, Carla Bley, Lee Konitz and Dave Liebman, plus a mid-70s stint in US jazz-rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears. McClure is a delicate in addition to a dexterous bassist blessed with excellent timing and an beautiful sense of groove.
39: Eberhard Weber
This Stuttgart-born German bassist has loved a protracted and fruitful affiliation with producer Manfred Eicher’s Munich-based ECM label. He’s additionally a famous composer and his credit as a sideman vary from jazz dates with Gary Burton, Pat Metheny and Jan Garbarek to showing on 4 Kate Bush albums. Weber’s bass – which he plucks and bows – has a wealthy, resonant sound and is usually characterised by slurred glissando notes, which imbue it with a lyrical high quality.
38: Malachi Favors
A notable bassist on the planet of free jazz, Favors, initially from Lexington, Mississippi, began out enjoying arduous bop with Freddie Hubbard and Dizzy Gillespie within the 50s however made his mark as a member of the long-running experimental music group Artwork Ensemble Of Chicago, from the late 60s onwards. He additionally recorded with Andrew Hill, Archie Shepp, Dewey Redman and Sunny Murray. The son of a preacher, Favors introduced a pronounced non secular dimension to his music, his bass improvisations exuding a plangent, nearly vocal high quality that continues to be distinctive among the many greatest jazz bassists in historical past.
37: Marc Johnson
The husband of Brazilian jazz singer and pianist Eliane Elias (thus far, he’s performed on 17 of her albums and received Grammys for co-producing two of them), Johnson is a famous bassist from Texas (by means of Nebraska) who first made his identify enjoying in Invoice Evans’ trio between 1979-80. He’s additionally appeared on information by Charles Lloyd, Stan Getz and, extra lately, Joe Lovano, and led two bands, Bass Wishes and Proper Mind Patrol. An assured technician, Johnson additionally infuses his bass enjoying with a uncommon emotional intelligence.
36: William Parker
Born within the Bronx, Parker is a veritable big of the American avant-garde jazz scene. His lecturers included Jimmy Garrison and Richard Davis, although the younger bassist rapidly moved away from orthodox jazz and its traditions to embrace the free jazz aesthetic. Previous to main his personal ensembles, he performed with Cecil Taylor and David S Ware. Parker steadily alternates between plucking and bowing his bass, and considers tone coloration, dynamics and timbre simply as vital because the notes he performs. Because the early 80s, Parker – who, distinctive among the many greatest jazz bassists, can be a poet and a musical essayist – has been a prolific recording artist whose work has been persistently sturdy.
35: Charnett Moffett
A baby prodigy – he began on bass at eight years outdated, enjoying in his father, saxophonist Charles Moffett’s band – Massive Apple-born Moffett was recording with famous horn-playing brothers Wynton and Branford Marsalis as a teen. He was simply 20 when he issued the primary of 14 solo albums and has additionally labored with drummer Tony Williams, saxophonist Kenny Garret and guitarist Stanley Jordan. A supremely versatile musician, Moffett, like his father earlier than him, has additionally performed avant-garde jazz with Ornette Coleman and incorporates Center Japanese and fusion influences into his personal, very eclectic, music. Conversant with each electrical and acoustic types, Moffett is a grasp of post-bop jazz whose dizzying versatility greater than earns him his place among the many world’s greatest jazz bassists.
34: Christian McBride
This six-time Grammy-winner from Philadelphia is a prolific session participant whose heat bass sound has graced a wide range of recordings, starting from jazz greats Freddie Hubbard and Herbie Hancock to Sting, The Roots, James Brown and Paul McCartney. McBride’s profession as a bassist started when he was a teen, and his grasp of funk dynamics (he began off on electrical bass in R&B bands), mixed together with his information of the bebop lexicon, gave him a versatility that was quickly in demand. He’s additionally made a raft of albums below his personal identify and his initiatives have included fusion and large band recordings. Although a virtuosic double bassist with precision timing, McBride is way more than an completed technician and in addition possesses an ideal sense of feeling and an imaginative aptitude in the case of improvisation.
33: Curley Russell
Trinidad-born Dillon “Curley” Russell was an vital bassist in bebop’s early years and, between 1945 and 1957, appeared on many pivotal jazz recordings. When bebop emerged within the mid-40s, he was one of many few bassists on the time who may deal with the super-fast tempos demanded by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. In addition to making historical past with Parker (he performed on the alto saxophonist’s recordings for Savoy and Verve), Russell additionally performed with a younger Miles Davis, together with Tadd Dameron, Dexter Gordon, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Artwork Blakey and Horace Silver. He give up enjoying jazz within the 60s.
32: Wilbur Ware
An astute selection of notes (he by no means overplayed) and economical use of house was what Thelonious Monk preferred about Wilbur Ware’s musicianship and, throughout the late 50s, the Chicagoan bassist spent a number of years within the maverick pianist/composer’s band. Although, in comparison with most of the greatest jazz bassists, Ware was unorthodox in regard to his fingerboard work, he was a particularly efficient musician who graced many important jazz recordings within the late 50s (starting from Monk and Artwork Blakey outings to Johnny Griffin and Sonny Rollins periods). Within the 60s, nevertheless, it was a unique story, as drug dependancy and imprisonment curtailed his appearances.
31: Walter Booker
Many jazz followers will recall this proficient Texan from his stint with Cannonball Adderley’s band between 1969 and 1975 (he performed on the traditional Nation Preacher and The Black Messiah LPs). Within the mid-60s, earlier than he joined Cannonball, Booker performed on many Blue Word periods for the likes of Andrew Hill, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, Donald Byrd and Wayne Shorter. Regardless of his spectacular CV, Booker was a late starter, not choosing the bass up till his mid-20s (he’d beforehand performed clarinet and saxophone). Booker’s forte was a fluid, harmonically-informed backside finish that at all times completely complimented what the opposite musicians had been enjoying.
30: Milt Hinton
From Vicksburg, Mississippi, Hinton grew up in Chicago and performed violin after which tuba earlier than switching to double bass when he was 23. In 1933, he received a job with singer/bandleader Cab Calloway (of “Minnie The Moocher” fame) and stayed with him till 1950. By that point, bebop was all the fad, however Hinton noticed the brand new music as a possibility to increase his information of concord and enhance his approach. Aided by his wonderful sight-reading expertise, he grew to become a sough-after session musician throughout the 50s and 60s and performed on myriad recording dates, together with these for film soundtracks, TV reveals and commercials, plus key periods with the likes of Ike Quebec and Dizzy Gillespie. In addition to being technically completed, Hinton, whose sense of timing and intonation was impeccable, may additionally play with nice sensitivity.
29: Reggie Workman
A flexible bassist who’s equally at dwelling with arduous bop, modal jazz and avant-garde music, Philadelphia-born Workman’s standing as the most effective jazz bassists is assured because of his CV, which reads like a Who’s Who of jazz. His primary declare to fame is working with John Coltrane on a number of albums (together with Olé Coltrane and Impressions), however he additionally recorded with Artwork Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Andrew Hill, Grant Inexperienced and Bobby Hutcherson. Later in his profession, he labored with free jazz apostles Oliver Lake and Roscoe Mitchell. Workman’s bass enjoying was sinewy, sturdy, and evinced a pliable elasticity that made it splendid for modal items requiring a droning bassline.
28: Eddie Gomez
Raised in New York after being born in Puerto Rico, Gomez gravitated to the double bass at age 11 and made his recording debut with the Newport Jazz Competition’s youth band as a 15 yr outdated, in 1959. Probably the most notable entry on Gomez’s CV is the 11-year spell he spent with pianist Invoice Evans, between 1966 and 1977, showing on 25 of Evans’ albums. Gomez’s credit additionally embody working with Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock. Gomez is famend for the wealthy, rotund sound of his plucked bass, mixed together with his penchant for singing melodic strains.
27: Scott LaFaro
Ten days after recording Sunday At The Village Vanguard, one of many biggest in-concert jazz albums of all time, as a part of pianist Invoice Evans’ trio, 25-year-old Scott LaFaro was killed in a automotive crash. Although his recording profession was transient (it lasted a mere 5 years) the younger New Jersey bassist’s affect was deep and lengthy, and his work with Invoice Evans’ trio assures his place among the many greatest jazz bassists in historical past. La Faroe helped to develop the idea of collective improvisation and emancipate the bass from a rudimentary position of straightforward time-keeping, which was one thing he explored in additional depth whereas working with Ornette Coleman in 1961, on the saxophonist’s groundbreaking Free Jazz album.
26: Richard Davis
Chicago native Davis is a well-known identify to some rock followers, who could have heard his bass enjoying on albums by Van Morrison (Astral Weeks), Laura Nyro (Smile) and Bruce Springsteen (Born To Run). He was drawn to the bass at highschool and, by the late 50s, was recording with singer Sarah Vaughan. Within the 60s, Davis was by no means wanting work, and the myriad periods he performed on ranged from these with Eric Dolphy, Roland Kirk and Andrew Hill, to Elvin Jones and Jimmy Smith. Such was Davis’ prowess that he even made a number of classical recordings below the batons of conductors Pierre Boulez and Leonard Bernstein, enjoying double bass. Davis had a heat, resonant tone, and will lay down a swinging, in-the-pocket groove. He was additionally gifted at bowing the bass; such was his experience, he later grew to become a college professor.
25: Bob Cranshaw
Initially from Chicago, the late Bob Cranshaw had a protracted affiliation with tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins (he performed with him from 1959 till Rollins retired, in 2012) but additionally appeared on a bunch of traditional Blue Word periods for Lee Morgan (it’s Cranshaw’s bass you may hear holding down the groove on Morgan’s “The Sidewinder”), Dexter Gordon, Horace Silver, Hank Mobley, Stanley Turrentine and Duke Pearson. Cranshaw’s versatility additionally meant that he was capable of contribute to music for film scores, TV reveals and stage musicals. It was jazz, nevertheless, that was his old flame, and his assured command of the bass, mixed together with his potential to lock in a groove and improvise, meant that he was by no means out of labor.
24: Percy Heath
The eldest of three Philly-based brothers who grew to become well-known jazz musicians (his different siblings had been saxophonist Jimmy and drummer Albert, aka “Tootie”), Percy Heath was the bass-playing mainstay with The Fashionable Jazz Quartet, a groundbreaking group that married bebop with classical music and was lively between 1952 and 1974. Outdoors of the MJQ, Heath’s quite a few credit ranged from Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk to Ruth Brown and Wes Montgomery. Heath, who, like a handful of the most effective jazz bassists on this record, may additionally play the cello, was adept at enjoying strolling basslines that swung with a blithe, toe-tapping groove.
23: Larry Grenadier
This San Francisco musician grew up in a musical household and performed trumpet earlier than turning his consideration to jazz and being seduced by the sound of the double bass. In his late teenagers, he received to play dwell as a pickup bassist with the likes of Bobby Hutcherson and Joe Henderson. It was within the 90s when Grenadier’s profession actually took off, nevertheless, because of his presence in a groundbreaking trio led by pianist Brad Mehldau, which continues to be going sturdy immediately. Away from Mehldau, Grenadier has performed with Pat Metheny and Charles Lloyd, and co-leads a band referred to as Fly. Although he’s a grasp technician, Grenadier additionally has an ideal really feel on the bass and instinctively is aware of the way to complement different musicians with the notes, phrases – and areas – in his music.
22: Cecil McBee
McBee, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, relinquished the clarinet for a double bass in 1952, and by no means regarded again. He minimize his tooth backing singer Dinah Washington, in 1959, earlier than being wanted by the likes of Jackie Mclean, Charles Lloyd and Yusef Lateef within the 60s. After that, he would play with Pharoah Sanders, Wayne Shorter, Alice Coltrane and Lonnie Liston Smith. Famend for his digital dexterity in addition to his acute sensitivity and talent to play nearly telepathically with different musicians, McBee is a bona fide grasp of the bass who’s additionally a revered trainer of his instrument.
21: Gary Peacock
Although born in Idaho, Peacock first rose to fame on the US West Coast within the late 50s, enjoying with the likes of Gary Crosby, Bud Shank and Don Ellis, earlier than relocating to New York and, like most of the greatest jazz bassists on this record, discovering work in Invoice Evans’ trio. Peacock additionally embraced the avant-garde zeitgeist of the early 60s, enjoying with saxophonist Albert Ayler on a number of albums. Peacock has a protracted affiliation with ECM Data, each as a solo artist and dealing alongside Keith Jarrett (he was a member of the pianist’s Requirements Trio from 1983 to 2014). An imaginative bassist who’s open to melodic and harmonic exploration, Peacock helped to liberate the bass from a purely supporting and time-keeping position.
20: Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Danish bass maven Pedersen took up the instrument at 14 and, a yr later, was enjoying professionally. Within the 60s, he backed (each dwell and within the studio) a welter of touring US jazz musicians that visited Europe, together with Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Chet Baker, Ben Webster, Bud Powell and myriad others. The next decade, he minimize a number of albums with pianist Oscar Peterson, who regarded him extremely. Pedersen, who additionally loved a parallel solo profession, was a technically completed bassist with an astute harmonic consciousness and unimpeachable timing.
19: Doug Watkins
Jazz followers who avidly peruse the sleevenotes of 50s and 60s bebop albums will acknowledge Doug Watkins’ identify. Although he didn’t dwell past his twenty seventh birthday – he perished in a automotive crash whereas driving to a gig – this Motor Metropolis bassist recorded prolifically between 1956 and 1962. He appeared on a bunch of traditional jazz albums, starting from Sonny Rollins’ Saxophone Colossus to Horace Silver’s 6 Items Of Silver and Jackie McLean’s Bluesnik. Blessed with excellent intonation, superior approach and a capability to create a clean however deeply-swinging strolling bassline, Watkins was the most effective jazz bassists of the arduous bop period.
18: Artwork Davis
There aren’t many jazz musicians who can declare to own a doctorate in scientific psychology, however Artwork Davis, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, may. He was additionally a university professor however, regardless of his educational achievements, he’s greatest remembered for contributions to a mess of traditional jazz albums, together with Coltrane’s Africa/Brass and Olé Coltrane, Max Roach’s Percussion Bitter Candy, and McCoy Tyner’s Inception. Technically gifted with precision timing, Davis was famend for the nice and cozy, full tone of his bass.
17: Sam Jones
Initially from Jacksonville, Florida, Jones was a stalwart of Cannonball Adderley’s band from 1958 to 1964. His bass held down a funk, soul-jazz groove on among the alto saxophonist’s biggest albums – amongst them Somethin’ Else (with Miles Davis) and The Cannonball Adderley Quintet In San Francisco – however he additionally made 11 albums below his personal identify, and his innumerable sideman periods ranged from Chet Baker to Thelonious Monk. In addition to being a high quality bassist with split-second timing and a stupendous sense of swing, Jones may play cello.
16: Al McKibbon
Chicago-born McKibbon’s profession took off within the late 40s when he joined Dizzy Gillespie’s orchestra, changing Ray Brown. He then performed on Miles Davis’ well-known Delivery Of The Cool recordings in 1948, whereas, within the 50s, his periods included these for George Shearing (McKibbon spent 5 years within the British pianist’s band), Johnny Hodges, Thelonious Monk and Cal Tjader. He was additionally an in-demand musician in Hollywood, and appeared on film and TV present soundtracks (together with Batman). A dependable bassist with an intuitive sense of swing, McKibbon’s copious album credit reveal simply what number of musicians regarded him as the most effective jazz bassists of all time.
15: Chuck Israels
A local New Yorker, Israels is greatest recognized for his fertile five-year stint with the Invoice Evans’ trio within the 60s, but additionally performed bass with Billie Vacation, Bud Powell, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Herbie Hancock and Nina Simone. He’s additionally been in demand exterior of jazz, contributing to information by Judy Collins and Phoebe Snow. Extra lately, Israels – who, at 81, is likely one of the oldest working musicians amongst this record of the most effective jazz bassists – has led a jazz orchestra. Capable of stability dazzling approach with deep emotional expression, Israel’s bass possesses a resonant, full-bodied tone that’s instantly recognizable.
14: Steve Swallow
The bass wasn’t this New Jersey-born musician’s first instrument (he began out on trumpet and piano) however after taking on the double bass as a teen, he by no means regarded again. Within the 60s, Swallow performed with Gary Burton – with whom he’s had a fruitful partnership – Jimmy Giuffre and Stan Getz. The 70s noticed Swallow change completely from acoustic to electrical bass and embark on a protracted stint in Carla Bley’s band. He additionally has a stack of LPs below his personal identify and is famous as a lot for his potential to compose music as he’s his distinctive and distinctive bass enjoying.
13: Leroy Vinnegar
Nicknamed “The Walker” for his potential to create lithe, strolling basslines, Indianapolis-born Vinnegar rose to fame in Los Angeles throughout the 50s, enjoying with West Coast jazz giants Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Shorty Rogers and Shelly Manne. He additionally recorded six solo LPs, appeared on a number of film soundtracks (together with Some Like It Sizzling), and, exterior of jazz, he recorded on albums by The Doorways (he seems on ‘Spanish Caravan’, from their 1968 album, Ready For The Solar) and Van Morrison (hearken to ‘Almost Independence Day’ from Saint Dominic’s Preview).
12: Buster Williams
A New Jersey bassist, Williams has recorded 15 albums below his personal identify, nevertheless it’s his work as a sideman that introduced him to the eye of the jazz public. He performed with Miles Davis, Gene Ammons, Roy Ayers, Dexter Gordon and Stanley Turrentine within the late 60s, earlier than becoming a member of Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi band within the early 70s. Williams was additionally a member of the 80s band Sphere, who had been dedicated to Thelonious Monk’s music. A grasp of each the acoustic and electrical bass, Williams earns his place among the many world’s greatest jazz bassists because of his potential to mix an astute harmonic sense with a full tone and an unerring potential to play sinewy, contrapuntal strains that preserve the music transferring.
11: Dave Holland
Impressed to select up the bass after listening to Ray Brown, Wolverhampton-born Holland was Ron Carter’s alternative in Miles Davis’ band when the trumpeter sought to transition from acoustic to electrical jazz within the late 60s. Initially, Holland performed double bass with Miles (on traditional proto-fusion albums corresponding to In A Silent Approach and Bitches Brew) earlier than switching to electrical for later recordings. After leaving Miles in 1970, Holland fashioned the avant-garde group Circle, with Chick Corea, and later co-founded the trio Gateway with Jack DeJohnette. Since then, Holland, who’s equally at dwelling with straight-ahead and extra exploratory jazz, has been busy as each a sideman and an artist in his personal proper. Holland’s trademark is a heat tone and plangent, lyrical model.
10: Jimmy Garrison
Hailing from Americus, Georgia, and raised in Philly, Jimmy Garrison will ceaselessly be related to the mighty jazz deity that’s John Coltrane and performed in his “classic quartet” alongside pianist McCoy Tyner and drummer Elvin Jones. Earlier than he joined Trane in 1961, he had performed with free jazz avatar Ornette Coleman, in addition to Kenny Dorham and Jackie McLean. He stayed with Coltrane till the saxophonist’s demise in 1967 and performed on over 20 albums with him, together with the totemic A Love Supreme – a feat that in itself earns him his place among the many greatest jazz bassists. Coltrane appeared to love Garrison’s throbbing sound and pragmatic strategy as a result of the bassist knew the way to present a strong sonic anchor that stored the music grounded and but glued all of it collectively seamlessly.
9: Charlie Haden
A self-proclaimed hillbilly from Iowa who was born right into a household {of professional} nation musicians, Haden turned to jazz bass after listening to bebop in his native file retailer. It was after transferring to LA that he joined Ornette Coleman’s band in 1959. There he realized concerning the worth of collective improvisation, laying the muse for his personal distinctive model, the place a mellow tone and gentle vibrato mixed with an exploratory, nearly lyrical melodicism. In addition to Coleman, the versatile Haden recorded with Coltrane, Keith Jarrett, Paul Motian, and Artwork Pepper, along with making a slew of solo albums and main the bands Liberation Music Orchestra, Previous And New Goals, and Quartet West.
8: Charles Mingus
Although he was a superlative bassist with a singular model and have become an vital bandleader within the bebop period, Charles Mingus is uncommon among the many greatest jazz bassists in that he was additionally a noteworthy composer who may play piano. Born in Arizona, Mingus began out on the cello earlier than changing into a double bass prodigy as a teen. He performed with Louis Armstrong and Lionel Hampton early on in his profession earlier than assembly Charlie Parker and changing into a bebop convert. Within the 50s, Mingus led his personal bands, began his personal file label, Debut, and emerged as a composer and recording of artist of observe. By way of his bass enjoying, he freed the instrument from a purely time-keeping position and validated it as an expressive solo instrument.
7: Paul Chambers
Chambers’ early demise, from TB, on the age of 33, robbed the arduous bop period of 1 its most formidable bass masters. From Pittsburgh, however raised in Detroit, he got here on the radar of most jazz followers when he joined Miles Davis’ quintet in 1955 and performed on the trumpeter’s seminal albums Milestones and Sort Of Blue. Chambers had an enormous sound, impeccable time-keeping, and possessed an astute understanding of concord and melody, which at all times made his basslines fascinating. He additionally pioneered using bowed basslines in jazz. His standing as the most effective jazz bassists of all time is mirrored by the truth that a number of notable jazz musicians devoted music to him – amongst them John Coltrane (“Mr. PC”), Crimson Garland (“The PC Blues”), Max Roach (“Five For Paul”) and Sonny Rollins (“Paul’s Pal”).
6: Jimmy Blanton
The violin was Chattanooga-born Blanton’s first instrument, however at college, he switched to double bass and shortly proved proficient – a lot in order that, in 1939, aged 21, he joined Duke Ellington’s band. Impressed by Blanton’s virtuosity, Ellington even minimize some duets with the younger bassist, although his tenure within the jazz aristocrat’s group was minimize quick when tuberculosis ended his life in 1942. Although he was solely 23 when he died, Jimmy Blanton, who was adept at enjoying pizzicato-style and utilizing a bow, laid the foundations for contemporary jazz bass by displaying that, in the correct arms, the bass could possibly be a viable solo instrument able to melodic expression.
5: Oscar Pettiford
One of many founding fathers of contemporary jazz bass was this Oklahoma musician, who gained notoriety after recording with tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, in 1943, which led to him working with Earl Hines and Ben Webster. After transferring to the Massive Apple within the mid-40s, Pettiford co-led a band with bebop trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. From the 50s onwards, the a lot sought-after bassist – famous for his virtuosity and tasteful enjoying – appeared on numerous albums, together with these by Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Artwork Blakey, Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk, and Sonny Rollins. Pettiford was additionally a famous bandleader and his bass model – with its supple tone and melodic readability – was profoundly influential.
4: Ray Brown
From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Brown was a revered grasp of the upright bass, which he took up in highschool. Influenced by Jimmy Blanton, Brown made his identify with Dizzy Gillespie’s bebop band within the late 40s, nevertheless it was within the 50s, as a part of pianist Oscar Peterson’s trio, that he actually made his mark as one of many world’s greatest jazz bassists. Within the 60s, a transfer to the US West Coast initiated a interval of profitable session work. In addition to being an in-demand sideman, Brown additionally made a welter of solo information. His trademark was a heat, well-rounded tone and a capability to play a strolling bassline with a mixture of precision and soulfulness.
3: Ron Carter
With over 2,200 session appearances to his identify, Michigan-born Carter is, doubtless, probably the most recorded jazz bassist in historical past – to not point out the most effective jazz bassists to ever decide up the instrument. He began as a classical cellist however switched to bass and received hooked on jazz. After enjoying with Chico Hamilton, Jaki Byard, and Milt Jackson within the early 60s, Carter joined Miles Davis’ quintet in 1963, and stayed with The Darkish Magus for 5 years, enjoying on traditional albums corresponding to ESP and Miles Smiles. Within the late 60s and early 70s, Carter appeared on a plethora of recordings for producer Creed Taylor’s CTI label, the place he additionally minimize a number of solo albums. He’s additionally recorded movie soundtracks, written books on bass enjoying, and continues to tour and train immediately. Together with his classical coaching, Carter introduced a excessive degree of technical accomplishment to the artwork of double bass enjoying.
2: Stanley Clarke
Together with his dexterous fretboard work and supreme technical mastery, this virtuoso Philadelphia bass pioneer and composer helped to determine the electrical bass guitar as a viable solo instrument within the 70s, with a collection of groundbreaking albums that fused jazz with funk and rock. Together with his superior approach, Clarke was capable of advance and construct upon the percussive, slapping impact developed by Sly & The Household Stone bassist Larry Graham within the late 60s. Comfy with each electrical and acoustic bass, Clarke was additionally a key member of Chick Corea’s pathfinding fusion band, Return To Ceaselessly, within the 70s.
1: Jaco Pastorius
Topping our record of the 50 greatest jazz bassists is the mighty and inimitable Jaco Pastorius, who rose to fame within the 70s fusion supergroup Climate Report. Born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Pastorius began out as a drummer however took up the double bass after injuring his hand. He went on to pioneer the electrical fretless bass in jazz and developed a singular model that mixed sinuous funk strains with lyrical, melodic passages, chords, and bell-like harmonics. A flamboyant character with an enormous character who performed with swagger, Pastorius suffered from bipolar dysfunction. He died, aged 36, after being overwhelmed right into a coma by a nightclub bouncer. In addition to arguably being probably the most influential bassist of all time, Pastorious was additionally a high quality composer.
Now you realize the most effective jazz bassists of all time, discover out who would make up the world’s biggest rhythm part with the greatest jazz drummers and greatest jazz pianists. Comply with the Jazz Giants playlist right here.
