Jazz Bass Survey:

Sketches of 24 of the most influential jazz bassists

in the history of jazz
Including: Blanton, Brown, Carter, Chambers, Counce, Foster, Hinton, Kirby, LaFaro,
Mingus, Pettiford, Stewart, Davis, Favours, Friesin, Gomez, Haden, Holland, Moore,
Pederson, Phillips, Vitous, and Workman

Jimmy Blanton, 1918-42

Blanton was discovered by Ellington in 1939 and played on over 130 records with
the Ellington Band. He is reputed to be the first bassist to be featured in a big band
setting on a piece entitled Jack the Bear. He can also be heard on the Ellington big
band recordings of Koko and Concerto for Cootie where Ellington uses the bass to
contribute to the melodic figures for the first time. His greatest recordings, however,
would have to be the duos with Ellington recorded in 1940 and re-released in 1990 (see
discography) that showcase Blanton's virtuosity.
As Mark Gridley remarked in his book Jazz Styles "Blanton shattered traditional
conceptions of jazz bass playing with his impressive instrumental proficiency and
musical imagination." He had incredible dexterity and used a much greater range than
his contemporaries. Blanton's tone was round and clear, his intonation excellent, and
he was not afraid to experiment harmonically. In short, Blanton redefined the
possibilities of bass playing from 1940 until Scott LaFaro appeared on the scene in the
1960's.
Discography:
Pitter Panther Patter/Sophisticated Lady, 1940, Victor 27221
Body and Soul/Mr J.B. Blues, 1940, Victor 27406
Duke Ellington: Solos,Duets,Trios, 1990, Bluebird 2178 2 RB
Bibliography:
R.G. Reisner, The Jazz Titans. Doubleday, 1960.
Ellington, Music Is My Mistress. Doubleday, 1973.
C. Emge, Jimmy Blanton Takes Last Ride. Down Beat, 1942, #9.
R. Horricks, Profiles In Jazz. Transaction Press, 1991.

Ray Brown, 1926-2003

Ray Brown moved to New York from California in 1945 and quickly became a
popular freelance bassist in the early bebop movement. He played frequently with
bebop innovators Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell. He is probably best
known for his many recordings with the pianist Oscar Peterson, a collaboration that
lasted for almost twenty years. In 1960 Brown developed a hybrid cross between a
cello and bass which led to the development of the piccolo bass, later championed by
Ron Carter. His own groups have included the L.A. Four founded in the late 60's and
The Ray Brown Trio that has featured various pianists including Benny Green, Geoff
Keezer, and Larry Fuller and drummers including Jeff Hamilton, Gregory Hutchinson,
and George Fludas. The Ray Brown Trio is best known for the series of recordings for
the Telarc Label.
Ray Brown's bass playing is known for his big warm tone, hard swinging time,
tasteful solos, and precision of intonation. His recordings with the 60's with Oscar
Peterson and Ed Thigpen are considered by many as the pinnacle of hard swinging trio
ensemble playing.
Discography:
As leader:

Ellington:
Peterson:

Walk On, Telarc 3515

Brown's Bag, 1976, Concord 19
Jazz Cello, 1960, Verve 68390
This One's for Blanton, 1972 Pablo 2310721.
The Oscar Peterson Trio at the Stratford Shakespeare
Festival, 1956, Verve 68390.
Oscar Peterson Trio Plus One, 1964, Mercury EXPR 1028

Bibliography:
L. Feather, The New Life of Ray Brown. DB, 1967, #5.
Tracy, Rhythm + Rosin = Royalty: Ray Brown. DB, 1976, #2.

Ron Carter, 1937Ron Carter received his undergraduate degree from the Eastman School of
Music in 1959. He moved to New York and began working with drummer Chico
Hamilton, as well as multi-instrumentalist Eric Dolphy. In 1961 Cater received his
masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music and continued to work with Dolphy
and pianist Thelonious Monk. He joined trumpeter Miles Davis in 1963 and became
part of the ground breaking rhythm section with pianist Herbie Hancock and drummer
Tony Williams. He left Miles in 1968 and, after freelancing for several years, formed his
own quartet in 1972. This quartet featured Carter on bass and piccolo bass,
accompanied by a rhythm section comprised of another bassist (Buster Williams),
piano, and drums. More recently Carter has been a major figure in two groups, one
performing jazz arrangements of classical works and the other, Latin pieces. Carter has
been a much sought after sideman, having recorded over 1,000 jazz albums during his
career.
Carter is renown for his impeccable technique, strong time, and sustained
quarter note walking lines - made even rounder with his use of the nylon wrapped
strings (virtually impossible to bow). Carter's rhythm section playing has been an
inspiration to a generation of bassists. His trademark left hand pull-off technique has
become integrated into the mainstream bass vocabulary. By combining walking lines
with ostinatos, drones, and pieces of melody, Carter has become the epitome of late
bop and modal style bass playing.
Discography:
As leader:

Orfeu, 1999, Blue Note, B2CEZI

Piccolo, 1977, Milestone 550044
Miles Davis: Filles di Kilimanjaro, 1968, Columbia CS 9750
Nefertiti, 1967, Columbia CS 9594
My Funny Valentine, 1964, Columbia CS 9106
Jim Hall:
Telephone, 1984, Concord 270
Hancock:
Maiden Voyage, 1965, Blue Note 84195

Bibliography:
E. Williams, Ron Carter. Down Beat, 1978, #2, #3.
L. Jeske, Ron Carter: Covering All the Basses. Down Beat 1983, #7.
R. Carter, Jazz Bass Lines. 1983.

Paul Chambers, 1935-69

Paul Chambers started playing bass in Detroit where he worked with guitar great
Kenny Burrell. In 1955 he moved to New York where he was hired by trumpeter Miles
Davis. He stayed with Miles until 1963, longer than any other sideman. Chambers was
a member of two of Miles' important early groups; the hard swinging band with Red
Garland on piano and Philly Jo Jones on drums, and the acclaimed sextet featuring the
great saxophonists John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderly.
Chambers is one of the best examples of a bebop bassist. He played hard
swinging, intricate chromatic walking bass lines and melodic solos in the running eighth
note bebop style. Chambers could keep up with the very fast tempos of players like
saxophonists Sonny Rollins and Coltrane as heard on Tenor Madness and, unlike many
of his contemporaries, Chambers also soloed frequently and fluidly with the bow.
Discography:
As leader:

Bass On Top, 1957, Blue Note 1569

Whims of Chambers, 1956, Blue Note 1534
Miles Davis: Kind of Blue, 1959, Columbia CL 1355
Cookin', 1956, Prestige 7076
'Round About Midnight, 1955-6, Columbia CL 949
Rollins:
Tenor Madness, 1956, Prestige 7047

Bibliography:
V. Wilmer, Paul Chambers. Jazz Journal, 1961, #3.
B. Gardner, Paul Chambers: Youngest Old Man In Jazz.
DB, 1960, #15.

Curtis Counce, 1926-63

Curtis Counce moved to Los Angles from Kansas City in 1944. There he worked
with big band leader Billy Eckstine, pianist Bud Powell, and tenor saxophonist Lester
Young, with whom he recorded in 1946. In 1956 after touring Europe with the Stan
Kenton Orchestra, Counce formed his own quintet. The group featured pianist Elmo
Hope and Harold Land, a tenor saxophonist famous for his work with the Clifford
Brown/Max Roach Quintet. Counce wrote and arranged much of the group's repertoire.
Although Counce was not a major influence, the fact that he led a group in the
50's certainly gave the bass more visibility. He was a strong player with a full sound
and strong sense of swing. His solos show that he had command over the full range of
the instrument, and even offered performances of Koussevitsky short pieces on his
Exploring the Future (1958, Dooto 247).
Discography:
Exploring the Future, 1958, Dooto 247
You Get More Bounce With Curtis Counce, 1957, Contemporary 3539
The Curtis Counce Group, 1956, Contemporary 3526
Bibliography:
L. Feather, Encyclopedia of Jazz In the 60's. Horizon Press, 1966.

George "Pops" Foster, 1892-1969

"Pops" Foster was one of the early stars of jazz. Like Blanton his career began
on the New Orleans riverboats with band leader Fate Marable. In 1929 he moved to
New York where he began freelancing and eventually started working with Louis
Armstrong. He played with Armstrong from 1935 until 1940. Foster played and
recorded with Mezz Mezzrow and the early soprano saxophone star Sidney Bechet in
the 40's. In the 50's and 60's Foster performed with stride pianist Earl "the fatha" Hines
among many others. His career has been chronicled in his autobiography (see
bibliography).
Foster's bass playing may seem rather simple and conservative in comparison to
more maodern bassists. It is important to remember however that Foster represents the
best of the pre-Blanton style of bass playing. His time and intonation were excellent
and his highly rhythmic pizzicato style made him the first choice of many bandleaders.
Discography:
Luis Russell:
Sidney Bechet:

Jersey Lightning, 1929, OKAH 8734

Blowin' the Blues, King Jazz 141

Bibliography
G. Foster, Pops Foster: Autobiography of a New Orleans
Jazzman, Univ. of California Press, 1971.

Milt "the Judge" Hinton, 1910-2002

Milt Hinton's career began in Chicago with the popular bandleader Cab Calloway
in 1936. Hinton stayed with Calloway until 1951 when he moved to New York. Here he
began to freelance with many of the top bands including Louis Armstrong's All Stars and
the Count Basie Band. Hinton received an award from the recording industry citing him
as the most recorded musician - ever. His work as a jazz photographer and historian
has been documented in his book Bass Lines. He has also been a mentor to many
younger bassists through his Hinton Scholarship Fund designed to help enable aspiring
students of jazz double bass.
Hinton is known for his huge tone and tremendous drive. His harmonic
experiments with Dizzy Gillespie in the 40's, while they were both with the Calloway
Band, made him a model for modern jazz bassists. One of Hinton's most impressive
feats in his bag of tricks is his trademark "slap" technique. He can slap the double bass
with as much dexterity as any thumb popping electric bassist. Through his musical,
financial, and artistic generosity, Hinton has been the ideal model citizen in the bass
world.
Discography:
As leader:
Calloway:
Clayton:

Old Father Time

The Trio, 1977, Chi 188
I Beeped When I Shoulda Bopped, 1949, Bb 30-0012
Buck Clayton Jams Benny Goodman, 1954, Columbia CL614

Bibliography:
N. Shapiro and N. Hentoff, Hear Me Talkin' To Ya. Rinehart, 1966.
M. Hinton and D. Berger, Bass Lines: the Stories and Photographs of Milt Hinton.
Temple Univ. Press, 1988.
L.D. Holmes and J.W. Thomson, Jazz Greats: Getting Better With Age. 1986.

John Kirby, 1908-52

John Kirby moved from Baltimore to New York where he was hired by Fletcher
Henderson's band as a tuba player in 1929. He began studying the bass with Wellman
Braud, then bassist with the Ellington Orchestra, and soon began working with drummer
Chick Webb, saxophonist Benny Carter and others. In 1937 Kirby became one of the
first bassists to front a band at the famous Onyx Club. Much of his success can be
traced to the influence of his wife, singer Maxine Sullivan, who arranged a record date
for Kirby with pianist and arranger Claude Thornhill. The tune, Loch Lomond, became a
national hit. Kirby's sextet featured trumpter Charlie Shavers and pianist Billy Kyle, both
also excellent arrangers. The band played in a lighter swing style often doing intricate
arrangements of classical material with jazz rhythms.
Kirby is better known as a bandleader than as a bassist, however his playing
should not be overlooked. Kirby played in a more subtle style than had been prevalent,
especially given the popularity of big bands at the time. He was more delicate in his
approach to the instrument than his contemporaries and gave swing a lighter bouncy
feel. With the soaring popularity of what became known as the "Biggest Little Band in
the Land", Kirby was the national bass role model until the emergence of Slam Stewart
and Israel Crosby in 1935.
Discography:
Rehearsin' for a Nervous Breakdown, 1938, Decca 2367
Undecided, 1938, Decca 2216
Bugler's Dilemma, 1941, Victor 27568
Special, 1945, Asch 3571
John Kirby and his Orchestra 1941-42,reissued 1992, Circle 14
Bibliography:
R. Stewart, Jazz Masters of the 30's. MacMillian, 1972.

Scott LaFaro, 1936-61

Scott LaFaro's first major gig was with lyrical trumpeter Chet Baker in 1956 after
having moved to Los Angles from New York. By 1959 he had won a Down Beat Critics
Poll New Star Award after having recorded with tenor saxophonists Sonny Rollins and
Stan Getz and clarinetist Benny Goodman. In the fall of 1959 he was introduced to
pianist Bill Evans and together with drummer Paul Motian they formed a trio that helped
redefine group improvisation. The Bill Evans Trio was the first group to improvise in a
contrapuntal style where, unlike the collective improvisation of "Dixieland" in which each
voice has a specific role, all three voices contributed equally. LaFaro's abilities within
the context of Evans' simultaneous improvisations (see liner notes to The Village
Vanguard Sessions, Milestones 47002) attracted the attention of saxophonist Ornette
Coleman. Coleman was a major figure in the avant-garde free jazz movement and
used LaFaro along with Charlie Haden in several recordings in 1960 and 61.
Scott LaFaro is one of the most important bassists in the history of jazz.
Although he only lived to be 25, his conception of the instrument as an interactive part
of the small jazz ensemble broke the bass out of the traditional time-keeping mold and
set a new standard for bassists - much as Jimmy Blanton had done in the 40's. LaFaro
was an absolute virtuoso of the instrument. He was the first to develop the alternating
two-finger pizzicato approach that enabled him to play with incredible facility. He also
explored and used the upper register of the bass as a part of his overall concept - both
for soloing and in his accompaniments.
Discography:
Coleman:
Bill Evans:

Free Jazz, 1960, Atlantic 1364

Art of the Improvisors, 1961, Atlantic SD 1572
Explorations, 1961, Riverside 9351
Waltz for Debby, 1961, Riverside 9399
Village Vanguard Sessions, 1961, Milesones 47002

Bibliography:
L. Feather, Encyclopedia of Jazz in the 60's. Horizon Press, 1966.
Obituary, Down Beat, 1961, #13.
J. Bany, The Legendary Scott LaFaro. Internat'l Soc. of Bassists, 1988, #3.

Charles Mingus, 1922-79

Charles Mingus studied with jazz bassist Red Callander and Herman
Rheinschagen, former principal bassist of the New York Philharmonic. He toured with
Louis Armstrong in 1943 and vibraphonist Lionel Hampton from 1947-48. He first came
to national prominence with the Red Norvo Trio in 1950. During the early 50's he
played with many jazz greats including Duke Ellington, pianist Art Tatum, as well as
bebop innovators Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie at the Massey Hall Concert (1953,
Debut 2,4) in Toronto. Mingus instituted his Jazz Composer's Workshop in the early
50s and by 1955 had a regular following of musicians who, instead of reading charts,
played parts Mingus taught them by ear. The size and personnel of the Mingus Jazz
Workshop varied considerably over the years, although several musicians remained
with Mingus for many years - notably drummer Dannie Richmond. The Workshop
remained productive for ten years until Mingus began to have severe financial and
personal problems. He dissolved the group in 1966 and remained in seclusion until
1969. After receiving a Guggenheim fellowship in 1971, Mingus began touring again
and worked continuously on film and big band projects until his death in 1979.
Mingus was a jazz Renaissance man. As a composer he wrote some of the
most complex and intriguing music in jazz. Any one piece by Mingus might include
multiple meter, tempo, and style changes. He used many different textures such as
contrapuntal lines, chorale sections, and extreme dissonances interspersed with
improvisations at unexpected moments. As Lawerence Koch remarked in his New
Grove Dictionary of Jazz article on Mingus "...he obliterated the standard distinctions
between improvisation and composition and brought the spontaneity of improvised jazz
to complex structures."
He used the bass in performances much like a conductor might use his baton,
making musical gestures to shape and change the course of the music as it happened
(and if that didn't work he would often resort to shouting). Mingus had a tremendous
technique that he used to great effect interweaving counter melodies and using double
stops to create harmonic tensions. His bass playing served as his performance voice,
expressing at times a more traditional role, but just as often directly reflecting his
compositional ideas, i.e. he attempted to realize all of his ideas; melody, harmony,
rhythm, texture, etc. on the bass.

Discography:
Mingus Ah Um, 1959, Columbia CL 1370
Mingus!, 1960, Can. 9021
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, 1963, Impulse 35
The Great Concert of Charles Mingus, 1964, American 003-5
Bibliography:
B. Preistley, Mingus: A Critical Biography. Da Capo, 1982.
B. Sidran, Charles Mingus Finds a New Voice. Rolling Stone, 1978, #282.
J. Litweiler, There's A Mingus Among Us. Down Beat, 1975, #4.
E. Jost, Free Jazz. Universal Editions, 1974.
C. Mingus, Beneath the Underdog. Knopf, 1971.
M. Luzzi, Charles Mingus. Lato, 1983.

Oscar Pettiford, 1922-60

Oscar Pettiford is considered to be one of the preeminent bebop masters of the
double bass. His first musical experience was with the Pettiford Family Band comprised
of ten siblings and led by his father. In 1939 Pettiford heard Jimmy Blanton with
Ellington in Minneapolis. After playing with the Charlie Barnet Band, Pettiford moved to
New York in 1943 and led a band with Dizzy Gillespie that is reputed to be the first
bebop band. Only three years after Blanton's death, Pettiford joined the Ellington Band.
He stayed with Ellington from 1945-48. In the 50's Pettiford led his own big band which
was critically acclaimed both for its arrangements and musicians. Unfortunately the
band was rather unstable, in great part due to Pettiford's incredibly violent temper.
During the 50's Pettiford began to experiment with amplified cello which he continued to
play until the end of his life. In 1958 Pettiford went to Europe with a tour called "Jazz
From Carnegie Hall" and he never returned to the United States. He worked in France,
Germany, Austria, and Denmark, where he finally died.
Pettiford is often credited with being the first bassist to bring Jimmy Blanton's
technical fluidity and dexterity to bebop bass. He had a big tone and was able to
communicate his ideas clearly. Pianist Dick Katz in the liner notes to Vienna Blues
(1959, Black Lion 760104) recalls "Aside form playing the instrument impeccably, he
had that sense of drama, of timing and pacing in what he did. The way he did what he
did commanded attention without resorting to tricks or any extra-musical things."
Pettifords abilities are perhaps best demonstrated by the 1958 Freedom Suite
(Riverside 258) with saxophonist Sonny Rollins. The session features Rollins on tenor
saxophone, Max Roach on drums and Pettiford on bass. The absence of a chordal
musician exposes Pettiford's accompaniment. Pettiford keeps the listener's attention
alive through clear and sensitive playing, as Rollins explores a single melodic figure in
various guises throughout the duration of the Suite. Much of the success of this
recording is due not only to Rollin's creativity, but to the clarity and precision of
Pettiford's accompaniments and engaging solos.

Discography:
As leader:

Ellington:
Rollins:

Vienna Blues: The Complete Session, 1959, Black Lion

760104
The Oscar Pettiford Orchestra, 1956-7, ABC 135227
Basically Duke, 1954, Bethleham 1019
Swamp Fire, 1946, Victor 201992
Freedom Suite, 1958, Riverside 258

Bibliography:
I. Gitler, Jazz Masters of the 40's. MacMallian, 1983
(includes discography).
D.C. Hunt, Oscar Pettiford: Absolute Artistic Clarity. Jazz Journal 1973, #8.
G. Hoefer, Oscar Pettiford. Down Beat 1966, #11.

Leroy "Slam" Stewart, 1914-87

While attending Boston Conservatory in 1934, Stewart heard violinist Ray Perry
sing in unison with his playing. Stewarts perfect pitch enabled him to adopt Perry's
technique on the bass. In 1935 he formed a duo with guitarist Bulee Slim Galliard in
New York. It was in the context of this duo that Stewart adopted the nickname Slam.
Slim and Slam came to national attention with their hit The Flat Foot Floogie in 1938.
In 1941 Stewart began an association with piano virtuoso Art Tatum which lasted until
Tatum's death in 1956. Tatum was known for his constant modulations and harmonic
complexities and many bassists declined to play with Tatum for this reason. Stewart,
however, was the only bassist ever to play effectively with Tatum since his perfect pitch
enabled him to follow Tatum's harmonic excursions without getting lost. Stewart also
played regularly with Benny Goodman Sextet from 1945-47 and then later with his big
band. In the 50's he freelanced with many of early stars of the bebop movement
including Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. His recording of I Got Rhythm with tenor
saxophonist Don Byas (1945, Atlantic SD 310) is considered a bebop classic and has
been included in the Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz. In the last 30 years of his
life Stewart freelanced with many jazz greats including pianist Thelonious Monk, tenor
saxophonist Lester Young, trumpeter Clarke Terry and countless others. His duo
recordings with bassist Major Holly are very entertaining; Two Big Mice (1977, Black
and Blue 33 124) and Shut Yo Mouth (1991, Delos 1024). They feature Major Holly,
singing in the same octave he plays and Slam Stewart singing an octave above where
he plays. Stewart was also a great teacher, spending time at SUNY Binghamton and
Yale University in the last years of his life.
Slam Stewart is probably best remembered as the singing bassist. His unique
solo style has become a part of the standard jazz bass vocabulary and many artists
have emulated his sound, including singer Ella Fitzgerald. His ability to use perfect
pitch effectively made him a perfect accompanist for harmonically adventurous
musicians like Art Tatum. He was also technically proficient as the duo with Don Byas
and his recordings with Dizzy Gillespie clearly demonstrate.

Discography:
As Leader:
Art Tatum:
Gillespie:
Don Byas:

Shut Yo Mouth, 1991, Delos 1024

Two Big Mice, 1977, Black and Blue 33 124
Art Tatum Trio, 1952, Capital H 408
Groovin' High, 1945, Guild 1001
I Got Rhythm, 1945, Atlantic SD 310

Bibliography:
S. Maricle, In Memoriam: Slam Stewart. Internat'l
Soc. of Bassists, 1988, #2.
J. Bany, Double Double Bass. Internat'l. Soc. of Bassists, 1986, #1.
D. Long, Slam Stewart. Cadence, 1982, #9, #11.

Richard Davis, 1930Richard Davis began working in Chicago in the early 50's. He played with
pianists Andrew Hill and Ahmad Jamal before moving to New York to work with pianist
Don Shirley. After touring with artists such as tenor saxophonist Charlie Ventura, the
Sauter-Finnigan Band and vocalist Sarah Vaughan, Davis settled in New York
permanently in 1965. Davis quickly established himself as one of the most versatile
bassists in New York. He played and recorded with avant-garde multi-instrumentalist
Eric Dolphy, the hard swinging Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Band, and on countless studio
dates (including folk singers Jams Taylor and Laura Nyro and rock stars Bruce
Springsteen and Van Morrison). He also worked as a classical freelance bassist,
playing with the New York Philharmonic with Bernstein and Boston Symphony with
Stravinsky. In the 70's Davis began to record under his own name, releasing albums
with major jazz stars as sidemen including pianist Chick Corea and tenor saxophonist
Joe Henderson. In 1977 he took a post at the University of Wisconsin - Madison where
he continues to teach. He became devoted to teaching young students and founded
the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists in the 1980s. He also continues to
lead his own groups and tour extensively during the summer months
As a performer Richard Davis is a formidable talent. He plays in all styles with
conviction and has been referred to on more than one occasion as the world's greatest
bass player. He is renown for his virtuosity, one of the only bassists to have mastered
the bass in the classical tradition and applied that knowledge creatively and successfully
to the jazz tradition. His arco solos can be especially powerful (With Understanding,
1975, Muse 5083), as well as sensitive, as with Eric Dolphy on bass clarinet
(Conversations, reissued 1986, Celluloid 5014, especially the duo Alone Together).
Davis has also played "Lead Bass" with the New York Bass Violin Choir, a seven bass
group led by arranger Bill Lee which included bassists Ron Carter, Milt Hinton and Sam
Jones among it's members. Richard Davis has left quite an inspiring legacy and raised
the standards for improvising bassists.

Discography:
As leader:

With Understanding, 1975, Muse, 5083

Epistrophy and Now's the Time, 1972, Muse 5002
Dolphy:
Out to Lunch, reissued 1985, Blue Note 84163
Phil Woods: Musique du Bois, 1974, Muse 5037
NY Bass Violin Choir: The New York Bass Violin Choir, 1980,
Strata-East 8003
Bibliography:
A. Taylor, Notes And Tones. Perigree, 1977.
Ron Carter and Richard Davis. Down Beat 1972, #9.
B. Primack, Profile: Richard Davis. Down Beat, 1977, #19.
R. Horricks, Profiles In Jazz. Transaction Publishers, 1991

Malachi Favours "Maghostut", 1937Malachi Favours was born and raised in Chicago, where he continues to live. He
first gained recognition playing with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and Freddie Hubbard in
the mid 1950s. Since 1966 he has been affiliated almost exclusively with the Art
Ensemble of Chicago. The instrumentation of the Art Ensemble consists of two multiinstrumentalist reed players, founder Roscoe Mitchell and Joeseph Jarman, trumpeter
Lester Bowie, bassist Favours and drummer Don Moye. All of the personnel also play a
variety of percussion instruments. The Art Ensemble of Chicago is the oldest avantgarde ensemble in existence and lives up to it's motto:" Black Music from Ancient to the
Future", playing in any style including processional marches, gentle waltzes, free form
high energy improvisations, reciting poetry. The unpredictable rhythmic character of
their music has more in common with 20th Century classical music than bebop or
swing. The solos are often not in predictable swing eighth notes and are free of direct
harmonic references. Instead an attempt is made to mirror the qualities or mood of the
piece. In this setting Favours proves himself to be quite versatile, able to change
direction with the mood of the music at any moment. Favours uses a full rich tone,
preferring gut to steel strings. He also has a high level of instrumental facility and
stamina, as can be heard in the high energy sections of the Art Ensemble's and Roscoe
Mitchell's Note Factory performances. He continues to experiment with alternate
sounds (tapping, buzzing the string against the fingerboard, etc.). While Favours has
not received much critical attention, his bass playing has served as a model for avantgarde players and new music composers. He has influenced younger bassists such as
Maarten Altena and Fred Hopkins.

Discography:
As leader:
Art Ensemble:

Mitchell:

Natural and the Spiritual, 1977, AECO 003

People in Sorrow, 1969, Nessa 3
Nice Guys, 1978, ECM 827876
Urban Bushman, 1980, ECM 829394
Congliptuous, 1968, Nessa 2

Bibliography:
E. Jannssens and H. DeCraen, Art Ensemble of Chicago
Discography. 1983.
V. Wilmer, As Serious As Your Life. Quartet Books, 1977.

David Friesen, 1942David Friesen played his first major gigs with pianist Marian McPartland in the
60's. In 1975 he toured with trumpeter Ted Curson and attracted national attention after
his appearance in the 1977 Monterey Jazz Festival. Friesen has led his own group
since 1976 after the release of his first album Star Dance (Inner City 1019). He has
often invited major jazz stars such as pianist Chick Corea, drummer Paul Motian, and
flautist Paul Horn to join him on record dates. Most of his recordings have included at
least one unaccompanied bass solo, either on his 1795 Guinot or on an electric upright
bass of his own design called the Oregon Bass.
Friesen's bass playing is very warm and melodic. His unaccompanied pieces are
usually filled with double and triple stops, combining melody, harmony and a bass line
together at the same time. His compositions are heavily folk influenced with subtle
harmonic twists, very similar to the music of the Paul Winter Consort or the group
Oregon.
Discography:
Encounters, 1985, Muse 5305
Paths Beyond Tracing, 1980, Steeplechase 1138
Amber Sky, 1983, Palo Alto 8043
Star Dance, 1976, Inner City 1019
Bibliography:
David Friesen Reviewed. Down Beat, 1991, July.
David Friesen Reviewed. Down Beat, 1989, April.
L. Feather, Encyclopedia of Jazz in the 70's. Horizon Press, 1976.

Eddie Gomez, 1944Born in Puerto Rico, Eddie Gomez began his career in New York after studying
at the Julliard School with Fred Zimmerman. He freelanced with many artists early on
before he joined the Bill Evans Trio in 1966. He stayed with Evans for ten years,
recording some of the most beautiful and important jazz piano trio and duo albums
during that time. He left Evans in 1977 and began an association with the group Steps
Ahead in 1979. He also worked with Chick Corea recording several impressive albums
including the ambitious Three Quartets (1981, Warner Bros. BSK 3552) that featured
long sections of through composed music interspersed with improvisations. He has
collaborated with pianist Joanne Brackeen, flautist Jeremy Steig, and pianist Eliane
Elias among others. Gomez has recorded several albums under his own name
including Discovery (1987),that featured an creative version of the first movement of
Eccles Sonata. Gomez plays the movement arco in the classical style with string
accompaniment and then improvises pizzicato over the chord structure. He continues
to record under his own name and to be very active as a freelance bassist in clubs and
in the studios in New York and internationally.
Eddie Gomez is a virtuoso bassist capable of playing very fast, intricate
passages with ease. His playing is light and sure-footed. Comfortable in all registers of
the instrument and with outstanding intonation, his trademark singing vibrato in thumb
position has become a standard technique emulated by many bassists. Gomez'
development into a gifted virtuosic player can be traced to the legacy of Scott LaFaro.
The open conversational style of the Bill Evans Trio with LaFaro gave Gomez the
license to develop a more creative voice than would have been permitted by a more
conservative leader. His fluidity has influenced many of today's rising jazz bass stars
such as John Pattitutici and Brian Bromberg.

Discography:
As leader:

Discovery, 1987
Gomez, 1984, Nippon Columbia YF 7089
Bill Evans: You Must Believe In Spring, 1977, Warner Bros. HS 3504
Crosscurrents, 1978, Fantasy F 9568
Steps Ahead: Steps Ahead, 1983, Elektra/Musician 60168-1
Jeremy Steig: Outlaws, 1976, Inner City 3015

Bibliography:
J. Roberts, Finding Your Sound. Bass Player, 1993, #7.
B. Robson, Eddie Gomez. Cadence, 1980, #11.
A.J. Smith, Bass Lines. Down Beat, 1977, #2.
M. McPartland, All In Good Time. Oxford Press, 1987.

Charlie Haden, 1937Charlie Haden grew up performing on the radio in Iowa as a small child. He
traveled to Los Angles in his teens to study music, but began a freelancing career
almost immediately. He played and recorded with Art Pepper in the early 50's and in
1957 met saxophonist Ornette Coleman. This historically important relationship
continues to the present. Coleman's music was very free, solos would be played on bits
of the melody instead of focusing strictly on the harmonies. It was a very different way
of approaching jazz and in 1959, when Coleman's group opened at the Five Spot in
New York, they caused a great deal of controversy in the jazz community. Coleman's
music, along with that of pianist Cecil Taylor, has come to be regarded as the beginning
of what is known as the free jazz or the avant-garde movement. The music was
intriguing to many and attracted other serious jazz musicians including tenor
saxophonists John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. Haden's playing became associated
with this movement and he was invited to record many important albums with a variety
of artists during this period (The Shape of Jazz to Come, 1959, Atlantic 1317). During
the late 50's and early 60's he also began working with pianists Denny Zeitlen and
Hampton Hawes, with whom he later recorded some his most memorable music (As
Long As There's Music, 1978, Verve 513 534-2). The 70's and 80's found Haden
working on many different projects including a band made up of some members of the
early Coleman group called Old and New Dreams, pianist Keith Jarrett and a Haden led
large ensemble entitled the Liberation Orchestra. The Liberation Orchestra experienced
revivals in the late 70' and early 90's, recording the arrangements of composer Carla
Bley. In the early 80's Haden joined guitarist Pat Metheny on several record projects
and has formed his own group Quartet West in the late 80's with tenor saxophonist
Ernie Watts.

Haden's playing comes from the folk music tradition. Where some bassists hone
their solo technique to play hornlike lines, Haden's approach is melodic and primarily
limited to lower registers of the instrument. Haden plays with a sense of intuition; able
to serve a supporting role at the same time creating counter melodies. He uses the bow
in unorthodox ways (such as on the tailpiece, in cirlces, etc.) and has experimented with
alternate techniques (beyond the bridge, tapping techniques, etc.), but always to serve
a perceived need in helping to shape the music at that moment. As Ornette Coleman
wrote in the liner notes "When I was in France I was told a story about musicians whose
music never had too many beats or too many intervals. But this music is perfect and it
is being played today. Listen to Charlie Haden's concept of the 'Golden Number'."
Discography:
As leader:

The Golden Number, 1977, A and M/Horizon CD 0825

Liberation Music Orchestra, 1969, Impulse 9183
Coleman:
The Shape of Jazz to Come, 1959, Atlantic 1317
Old and New Dreams: Playing, 1980, ECM 1205
Jarrett:
Silence, reissued 1992, GRP GRD 117
Hawes:
As Long As There's Music, 1978, Verve 513 534-2

Bibliography:
R. Zabor, Charlie Haden. Musician Magazine, 1984, #66
H. Mandel, Charlie Haden's Search for Freedom. Down Beat, 1987, #9.
M. Zipkin, Charlie Haden: Struggling Idealist. Down Beat, 1978, #13.

Dave Holland, 1946Dave Holland grew up in England and graduated from the Guild School of Music
with a degree in double bass. He joined Miles Davis in 1968. (An entertaining account
of Holland's first encounter with Davis is to be found in the Ian Carr biography of Davis,
1982.) He stayed with Davis until the band began to go in a more electronic direction in
1970. Holland then formed the group Circle with pianist Chick Corea, also from the
Davis band, and saxophonist Anthony Braxton. Important albums from this period
include Corea's Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (c. 1972, Blue Note BST 84353), his duo
album with bassist Barre Phillips entitled Music From Two Basses (1971, ECM 1011)
and Holland's virtuosic Conference of the Birds (1972, ECM 1072) featuring
saxophonists Braxton and Sam Rivers with percussionist Barry Altschul. He continued
to work with Braxton on and off until 1976. In the late 70's Holland was playing with
several groups regularly including Sam Rivers band from 1976-80 and the Gateway Trio
featuring guitarist John Abercrombie and percussionist Jack DeJohnette from 1975-77.
He has recorded unaccompanied bass albums, including the acclaimed Emerald Tears
(1977, ECM 1-1109) and an unaccompanied cello album (Life Cycle, 2001 ECM).
Holland formed his own quintet in the 80's featuring alto saxophonist Steve Coleman
(no relation to Ornette), trombonist Julian Preister, and drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith.
Here again, as with the earlier Conference of the Birds group, there is no chordal
instrument in the ensemble. His 1989 trio album, Triplicate (ECM 1373) with Coleman
and DeJohnette, received the album of the year award from Down Beat Magazine.
In 1997 Holland formed his latest quintet, a group that has featured Chris Potter,
Steve Wilson, Robin Eubanks, Steve Nelson and Billy Kilson. This group has garnered a
great deal of attention with two of the groups early records, Points of View and Prime
Directive, being nominated for Grammy Awards. Holland has also been #1 Bass Player
in the Down Beat Critics Poll for three consecutive years and in 2000 received an
Honorary Doctorate from the Berklee School of Music.

Dave Holland plays rhythmically with a great deal of speed and accuracy. He
develops interesting musical ideas in his solos in ways that make his solos complete almost like miniature concerto or sonata movements. Although his primary working
groups have been of a somewhat straight ahead nature (jazz head followed by a string
of soloists), the musical influences of Davis, Braxton and Rivers have made Holland
aware of a great variety of shapes and gestures that have informed both his composing
and improvising imagination.
Discography:
As leader:

Point of View, 1998, ECM

Conference of the Birds, 1972, ECM 1027
Emerald Tears, 1977, ECM 1109
Triplicate, 1989, ECM 1373
Miles Davis: Filles de Kilimanjaro, 1968, Columbia CS 9750
Bitches Brew, 1969, Columbia GP 26
Gateway:
Gateway, 1975, ECM 1-1061

Bibliography:
J. Rosembaum, Dave Holland. Bass Player Magazine, 1993, #7.
B. Primack, Dave Holland: Diverse and Dedicated. Down Beat,
1978, #10.
C. Wright and M. Gilbert, Dave Holland. Jazz Journal,
1986, #1.

Glen Moore, 1941Glen Moore grew up in Oregon where he met guitarist Ralph Towner at the
University of Oregon in 1960. Moore left the United States for Copenhagen where he
freelanced with tenor saxophonists Ben Webster and Dexter Gordon among many. In
1969 he moved to New York where he worked with trumpeter Ted Curson, tenor
saxophonist Zoot Sims, and pianist Paul Bley. Saxophonist Paul Winter hired Moore
and Towner for a tour with the Paul Winter Consort in 1970. During this extensive tour
of some 50 cities Moore, Towner, percussionist Colin Walcott, and oboist Paul
McCandless became very close. By 1972 the four had begun performing together as a
regular ensemble and called themselves Oregon. Oregon's music combines the sounds
of Moore's double bass with Towner's acoustic guitar, McCandless' oboe and soprano
saxophone, and Collin Walcott's battery of percussion including tablas and sitar. The
group has remained together for 20 years and has produced some 18 albums (Walcott
was killed in a car accident in 1984 and was replaced by Trilok Gurtu). All the members
of the group have pursued outside projects and Moore is no exception. He has worked
in a bass quartet with Dave Holland, Peter Warren, and Jamie Faunt (Bass Is, 1970,
Enja 2018), pianist Larry Karush (Mokave 2, 1992 Audioquest CD1007), saxophonist
Charlie Mariano, pianist John Taylor, as well as oudist Rabih Abou-Khalil.
Moore is a physical bassist whose aggressive style of playing is balanced by
being very interactive. His combined folk and jazz background has given him a strong
melodic sense with a precise rhythmic feel. He tunes his bass in a very wide tuning: low
C, A, D, and then high C. This gives Moore a three-tiered instrument: the low C for a
deep foundation, the A and D for accompaniment patterns, and the high C for melodic
figures. With the Oregon's oboe and classical guitar alongside sitar and tablas, Moore
is a founding member of one of the oldest world music ensembles combining elements
from European classical music, American jazz, and much of the music from around the
world.

Discography:
As leader:
Oregon:

Bass Is (Bass Quartet w/Holland et al), 1970, Enja 2018

Introducing Glen Moore, 1979, Elekra 6E197
Always, Never, and Forever, 1992, Intuition 2073-2
Crossing, 1985, ECM 1291
Mokave 2, 1992, Audioquest CD1007

Mokave:
Bibliography:
L. Feather, Encyclopedia of Jazz in the 70's.
Horizon Press, 1976.
Freff, Bookends: Oregon's Colin Walcott and Glen Moore.
Musician Magazine, 1984, #70.

Neils Henning Orsted Pedersen, 1946Neils Pedersen was born in Denmark. He played with the leading Danish Big
Band in 1960 and recorded with the legendary pianist Bud Powell the following year.
Not soon after his recording debut, Pedersen became a member of pianist Kenny
Drew's trio. He played behind a score of jazz greats including saxophonists Joe
Henderson and Frank Foster. In the early 60's Pedersen played a tour with pianist Bill
Evans and was associated with tenor saxophone great Dexter Gordon from the early
60's until 1976. In the early 70's Pedersen was in high demand in the studios. He
recorded with many of the top jazz stars including saxophonists Albert Ayler, Ben
Webster, and Johnny Griffin, pianist Oscar Peterson, and vibraphonist Milt Jackson. In
1977 he recorded a hard swinging bass duo album with Sam Jones (Inner City 2055).
Since the mid 70's Pedersen has been a regular fixture on the international jazz festival
and recording circuit. He has played on and off for years with piano great Oscar
Peterson and guitarist Joe Pass, with whom he recorded an aptly named duo album
entitled Chops (1079, Pablo, 2130 830).
Steeped in the jazz tradition, Neils Pedersen is one of the worlds most nimble
bassists. He has mastered a four-finger right hand pizzicato technique, which with an
equally facile left hand enables Pedersen to play bebop lines at very quick tempos. He
also swings hard at all tempi, his walking lines seeming to propel the music forward
without rushing. He gets a full deep tone from his bass and is not afraid to use the bow
when soloing or in background figures. His ability to play inventive counterpoint at the
spur of the moment as well as solo brilliantly and swing hard makes Pedersen a
masterful straight ahead chamber jazz bassist.
Discography:
Montoliu:
Catalonian Fire, 1974, Steeplechase 1017
Joe Pass:
Chops, 1979, Pablo 2310-830
A. Shepp: * Looking At Bird, 1981, Steeplechase 1149
Sam Jones: Double Bass, 1977, Inner City 2055
Bibliography:
J. Bany, Double Double Bass. Internat'l. Soc. of Bassists, 1986, #1.
J. Solothurnman, The Life and Experience of Neils Henning Orsted Pedersen.
Jazz Forum, 1976, #39.
I.S. Peterson, N.H.O.P. Coda, 1975, #6.

Barre Phillips, 1934Born in San Francisco, Barre Phillips played Dixieland, swing and bop in the 50's.
Inspired by saxophonist Ornette Coleman, he left for New York in 1962 to play free jazz.
Once in New York he played both extremes of the free jazz movement, from the highenergy, avant-garde music of Archie Shepp to the intensely intimate Jimmy Giuffre Trio.
In 1963 he played the premier of Austin's Improvisations for Orchestra and Jazz
Soloists with the New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein conducting. The work was
recorded in 1967 (Columbia MS 6733). He worked with Giuffre until 1965, when he
began to freelance with mainstream jazz artists. He played and toured with pianists
Peter Nero and Bob James. In 1967 Phillips moved to London where he continued to
experiment in the avant-garde movement. He played with English alto saxophonist
Evan Parker and in 1968 recorded the first album of solo improvised bass music
(Journal Violone, reissued 1979, ECM 1149). In 1969 Phillips co-founded "The Trio"
with saxophonist John Surman and shortly thereafter began a long association with the
ECM record label. In 1971 he recorded the bass duo album Music From Two Basses
with Dave Holland (ECM 1011). After several more recordings with "The Trio", Phillips
released another solo recording Call Me When You Get There for ECM (c.1982).
Phillips has also written music for nine ballets between 1973 and 1980. In 1987 he
joined bassist Barry Guy's London Jazz Composer's Orchestra. Phillips continues to
involve himself in free music projects. His compact disc (Aquarian Rain, 1991, ECM
1451) features percussionist Alain Joule and taped music. The taped music consists of
manipulated prerecorded free duo improvisations. The duo then performed with the
prerecorded material creating both subtle and outrageous effects.
Barre Phillips is a bassist who is dedicated to composing and performing free
improvised music. Consequently, he cannot be listened to with the same ears one
would bring to a swing trio. Phillips is in full command of the entire instrument. He is
extremely agile and moves over the entire range of his 5 string bass very quickly at
times. However, Phillips is often as interested in musical effect and gesture more than
he is in melody or line. He is more concerned with the immediate sound and texture
than with any specific pitch in many of his pieces. This is not to say that he is incapable
of playing tonal music beautifully. Indeed, he still plays Bach and standard tunes, but
this is not his primary interest. Phillips has successfully abandoned the restraints of
tonality and is developing his own bass language.

Discography:
Journal Violone, reissued 1979, ECM 1149
Aquarian Rain, 1991, ECM 1451
Call Me When You Get There, c.1982, ECM
Music By, 1980, ECM 1178
Music From Two Basses, 1971, ECM 1011
Bibliography:
B. Smith, Barre Phillips. Coda, 1984, #198.

Miroslav Vitous, 1947Czech bassist Miroslav Vitous won a scholarship to the Berklee School of Music
in 1966 (a Czech jazz competition also entered by bassist George Mraz). Vitous moved
to New York in 1967 and began working with trumpeters Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard,
and for a very brief period, Miles Davis. Flautist Herbie Mann hired Vitous in 1968. He
left Mann in 1970 to play with tenor saxophone star Stan Getz. From 1970 until 1973
Vitous joined the newly formed band Weather Report featuring keyboardist Joe Zawinul
and tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter. The band was on the cutting edge of the new
electronic jazz/rock fusion and their textural collective improvisations brought Vitous
international recognition for both his upright and electric bass playing. He left Weather
Report and freelanced for several years, forming his own band in 1979 with saxophonist
John Surman, pianist John Taylor, and drummer Jon Christensen. With his new group
Vitous' focus returned to the double bass and some of his most beautiful arco solos are
to be found during this period (First Meeting, 1979, ECM 1145). In 1981 he recorded
with pianist Chick Corea and bebop drum legend Roy Haynes (Trio Music, ECM 1232).
The trio toured briefly and made a live recording in 1984 (Trio Live, ECM 1310). Since
the mid 80's Vitous has moved back to Europe and has continued to be active recording
and touring, recording his first unaccompanied album Emergence in 1985 (ECM 1312).
Recently he has been touring with various bass duos including Stanley Clarke and
Eddie Gomez.
Miroslav Vitous is a thoroughly modern jazz bassist grounded in the tradition.
Comfortable in all registers of the instrument, he is at his most interesting when he is
able to enter into musical conversations with his collaborators. Many of the pieces
written and arranged for his quartet are left quite open, so there is room for the players
to interact freely. He often abandons the traditional walking bass role to play a more
active part when he accompanies a solo. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of
Vitous' bass playing is his bow technique. He has recorded several beautiful improvised
bowed solos that would make great concert pieces for the classical bass repertoire. His
intonation is superb and his ideas are imaginative and well executed. Vitous' bass
playing is virtuosic and inspiring.

Discography:
As leader:
Weather Report:
Chick Corea:

Emergence, 1985, ECM 1312

First Meeting, 1979, ECM, 1145
I Sing the Body Electric, 1971, Columbia KC 30661
Trio Music, 1981, ECM 1232

Bibliography:
F. Bouchard, Miroslav Vitous: Both Sides of the Bass.
Down Beat, 1984, #9.
D. Morgenstern, Weather Report: Bright and Sunny. Down Beat,
1970, #11.

Reggie Workman, 1937Reggie Workman left Philadelphia for New York after completing high school. He
began working with bebop alto saxophonist Gigi Gryce and with avant-garde multiinstrumentalist Eric Dolphy in 1960. In 1961 Workman toured Europe and recorded with
tenor saxophone John Coltrane and then joined drummer Art Blakey and his Jazz
Messengers. He stayed with Blakey from 1962 until 1964 and also performed with
trumpeter Freddie Hubbard during this period. In 1964 Workman played and recorded
with Wayne Shorter (Juju, Blue Note 84182). In the second half of the 60's Workman
performed with pianist Thelonious Monk and drummer Max Roach. In the 70's and 80's
Workman freelanced with many different leaders including tenor saxophonist Archie
Shepp, drummer Elvin Jones, and the Black Swan String Quartet, which featured
Workman's arco playing. Since the late 80's he has led his own group, the Reggie
Workman Ensemble. The group is quite avant-garde and features pianist Marilyn
Crispell, clarinetist Don Byron, singer Jeanne Lee, and others. The ensemble also
incorporates dance and poetry into their live presentations. Other works of art such as
dances, paintings or plays often inspires their music. He teaches at the New School for
Social Research in New York.
Reggie Workman is a versatile bassist. He is equally at home playing hard bop
or playing free jazz and improvising over open forms. The influences of Coltrane, whom
Workman describes as his mentor, and Blakey have helped shape his concept of the
bass and it's relationship to the ensemble. His solos are not about speed, rather he is
concerned at all times with producing a big tone and communicating clearly. Workman
does not play a stream of eighth notes when he solos, instead he tends to play in the
rhythm of speech, as if he were conversing with the listener. Reggie Workman is highly
respected for his sensitivity and his abilities to support and communicate the subtleties
of the music to the audience.

Discography:
As leader:
Coltrane:
Blakey:
Shorter:

Images, 1990, Music and Arts 634

Africa/Brass, 1961, Impulse 6
Live At the Village Vanguard, 1961, Impulse 10
Free For All, 1964, Blue Note 84170
Indestructible, 1964, Blue Note 84193
Juju, 1964, Blue Note 84182

Bibliography:
B. Smith, Reggie Workman. Coda, 1992, #241.
L. Feather, Encyclopedia of Jazz in the 60's.
Horizon Press, 1966.
L. Feather, Encyclopedia of Jazz in the 70's.
Horizon Press, 1976.