Seeking Recs for Killer Bass Solos

[king ubu]

Sorry, can't give a specific recommendation, but pretty much anything with Doug Watkins is great!

One of my very favorite bass players, and possibly the best hardbop bassist to my ears. Great sound, perfect time... I prefer him over Paul Chambers (whom I like a lot, too, of course). Too bad he died so early. Mingus picked him for the album where he played piano (and sang the blues) - quite an honour!

"Introducing Lee Morgan" (Savoy) might do - I'm not sure about solos, but I do vividly remember Watkins being terrific on it!

[Quasimado]

Anything by Oscar Pettiford.

Also check out Peter Ind on "The Real Lee Konitz" (used be Atlantic) - swinging, inventive, accurate...

Q

[CJ Shearn]

From the first time I heard it many years ago, I have loved Ray Brown's solo on "In a Mellotone" from "Ben Webster & Associates". He plays with authority and beauty. 30+ years later I still hear it with pleasure.

That is a great solo! I need to pull that disc out again.

[Larry Kart]

Anything by Oscar Pettiford.

Also check out Peter Ind on "The Real Lee Konitz" (used be Atlantic) - swinging, inventive, accurate...

Q

I particularly like Pettiford's work on an obscure Hall Overton trio record with Teddy Charles "Three for the Duke" (Jubilee) -- all Ellington material, including some uncommon things ("Mainstem," "Sherman Shuffle"). The drumless format allows everything Pettiford plays to ring through.

And a definite thumbs up to Ind on "The Real Lee Konitz." Their duet work on "Fooling Myself"!

[clifford_thornton]

Thanks for the recommendations on Pettiford. I'll seek these dates out.

I agree on Watkins, for sure. Awesome tone and phrasing.

[JohnT]

To help you in your search, you should pick up a copy of the book "Jazz Bass artists of the 1950's" by Dave Hunt. Dave's book not only covers the well-known bass giants of the 1950's but also some lesser-known but no less great bassists of that era. Dave's a great writer and he'll make you want to track down recordings by these great bassists. Many, many years ago, Dave turned me on to bassists Albert Stinson and George Tucker which made me want to track down all of the recordings they were on. A highly recommended book for bassists and non-bassists alike.

The book can be had at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Bass-Artists-1950s-Dave/dp/0982312369/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283736365&sr=1-1