At 58 years old, I realize how fortunate I am that my high school music teacher, who was also my first bass instructor, introduced me to the work all of those you played, from Pettiford to Pattituci. And I grew up in Scott LaFaro's hometown of Geneva, NY, where there is a street named for him outside the Smith Opera House.
There are several negative comments addressing the fact that the great Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen was somehow left off of this list. Firstly, please read the disclaimer in the description. Secondly, the great NHØP should be in everyone's top 10 Jazz Bassist list. However, a) this is NOT a "best of" list and b) he played with such a singular style and (3-fingered) technique, that I found it impossible to reproduce to my own personal standards to be included in this video. Thank you for watching and again--please read the description before you start a comment about who got left out.
Fair enough...but why not try checking out what NHØP's left hand was up to rather than being bothered buy his right hand...his scalular ideas and fluency rival anyone of the players you mentioned and his intonation along with it was flawless...listen again..just include a clip of him at least...and Cecile and Miraslav..
I did...now read my reply...I've been playing bass 51years and I'm still not afraid to learn...nor to be taught..I respect what you said, your level of skill...but history is history...and complete factual history is the most helpful...you're an awesome player by the way...all the pioneers would be proud and flattered...even NHOP...R.I.P.
I have never, ever commented on a youtube video. That''s 15 or so years of just kicking back and watching. As a bass player, and an aficionado of bass history, you moved me so much with this video that I had to write something. Take care, watch health, and keep bringing these top-tier vids.
@@yairsharon7197 there are a couple of vids on my channel where I talk about him. Dig this: th-cam.com/video/XAmir40yu5s/w-d-xo.html OR this one: th-cam.com/video/MYLv3a2W3V8/w-d-xo.html
The Mingus and Charlie Haden choruses were BAD! Love checking out how the different players would approach the same thing, really great stuff as usual PT
Pops Foster was a very good friend and mentor of my late father who died last year. When Pops toured in Britain with Jimmy Archey, he borrowed my father Bass, both he and Jimmy carved "Good luck to Bill, Pops Foster & Jimmy Archey" sadly the Bass was smashed when a band wagon overturned some years later, the autographed section survived and has been on the mantlepiece ever since.
I was fortunate enough to be a (mediocre) jazz (piano) student at William Paterson College in NJ back in the '90s at a time Rufus Reid ran the jazz program. I am so grateful to have seen him play so much over those few years. Those times when he was playing bass when I was playing piano (juries, tests, the audition, etc.) it felt like being lifted and propelled and pulled by this magic force. He was and probably still is just the kindest, most patient, nurturing soul, and the buoyancy of his tone and groove reflect that. I haven't played in a jazz combo since college and my musical preferences have drifted somewhat from this style of jazz, but I still find it pretty easy to hear when Rufus is playing on a side, and it takes so little time to know it's him. Thanks for including a chorus of you playing in his style.
What a wonderful tribute. Never met him but I got a chance to talk briefly with Dexter Gordon once representing my college newspaper and he was such a gentleman, took my question and ran with it!
I can't think of anyone who could do such a complete recounting of jazz bass history in under an hour (I've been a jazz bassist (6 string fretless electric for the past 30+ years) for around 40 years now.
Masterful. Had the pleasure of seeing Ray Brown and Rufus Reid live back in the 70s. Speaking of masterful, I hope every bass player checks out the duets that Duke Ellington and Jimmie Blanton recorded in the early 1940s. Actually, beyond masterful.
Phenomenal. You studied these great players so thoroughly that you sound like YOU,channeling their influences/musical idiosyncracies... It takes YEARS of devoted study and listening and basic b-flat-shedding to dial that stuff in...Maaaaan...Amazing and inspiring. Just keep doing what you're doing! And thanks, again!!
best bass channel on youtube! great list, some of my other favorites include dave holland, sam jones, richard davis, gary peacock, cecil mcbee, buster williams, wilbur ware, israel crosby, larry grenadier, steve swallow, jaco, miroslav vitous, leroy vinegar, bob cranshaw, jimmy garrison, butch warren, and many more
Excellent! It would be awesome to see a "Making of" -talking about your process in incorporating the unique elements of each example. I'll confess I wasn't familiar with "Slam Stewart, so I was expecting a bowed example for Paul Chambers. I know you could not have included EVERYONE but I would have loved to see you applying NHOP's approach in that mix.
REALLY NICE, MAN!!!! I follow Ron on Instagram; what a cool guy, too, what with his Rick Beato interview! So many died too damn young! NICE MAN, THANKS! And, well, um... you ain't no damn slouch either! Bravo!!!!!!
I'm so glad for this video, I'm doing a bunch of college studies for Music (Focused on Education and Jazz), and me being a Bass Player, This opened up a gateway to expand my repertoire, no longer stuck only knowing just Paul Chambers and Charles Mingus. Thank you, good sir.
Paul, I'm a little late to this one, but the thing that struck me the most about a lot of these players is how young they were when they passed. Such a shame.
OK, this is INCREDIBLE. To a degree it's "easy" to evoke Pops Foster or Walter Page but the way you imitate Charlie Haden and especially Christian McBride took my breath away. I could recognize them by the second note. Bravo! Subscribing.
I know this isn’t meant to be a definitive list, but it’s worthwhile hearing Bill Johnson in 1928 with the Dixie Four (James Blythe and Clarence Johnson on duo pianos; Johnson on bass and Cliff “Snags” Jones on drums). They made four sides: “Five O’Clock Stomp”, “Kentucky Stomp”, “Southside Stomp” and “St Louis Man”. All great. Bass and drums are more prominently recorded on this and audible than on many other 20s records. Also around the same time, James Blythe recorded a couple of piano trios with Bill Johnson on bass and probably Cliff Jones on drums again: “Shake Your Shimmy” and “Bull Fiddle Rag”, although for some reason discographies list “William Lyle” as the bassist and Jimmy Bertrand as drummer on that session, I’m not sure why. (They also list Buddy Burton as the 2nd pianist on the Dixie Four sides but it is manifestly not and is Clarence Johnson in my opinion). Anyway, 6 sides from the late 20s worth hearing with nice bass playing! These sides are also sort of “party records”. Bill Johnson yells encouragement at all the musicians frequently throughout each of these 6 recordings.
Merci beaucoup for this. What struck me was how many died so young. I wasn't a musician for most of my life, and am making up for lost time since my retirement with a piano. So my left hand has me searching out stuff to do, which leads me to videos like this. It would be interesting to see some of the back story on some of these players. BTW I hope to have my video on exercises for the pianist to do...and any other musician, to help with back pain but also how to help the shoulders and arms, hands. Very good for finger strength. Stay tuned.
Listening to that and thinking back to my days of humpin' a dog house on the metro to club dates... reminds me of why I went electric fretless 30+ years ago. Phenomenal and thanks for the memories!
Fantastic tone...and you make it look easy! Things went up a notch with Blanton. Don't know how you did it...the actual 'sound' (tone?) of the Mingus chorus was Mingus. Cool stuff!
Wow, this is great! I love how much your right hand changes to imitate the different players tones and not just their note choices. Wonderful work on this!
Can you please do some videos on some Jean Luc Ponty tunes? He writes the grooviest basslines and always has top tier players performing them."Give Us a Chance" has one of the grooviest bass performances I ever heard and no one ever talks about it!
I actually play drumset but I love watching your videos!! It enlightens me on how bassists think and approach their instrument. Then there’s always an underlying music history lesson intertwined. Great work!! ❤
Yo!!!! This is so great. I laughed out loud at the Charlie Haden and Stanley Clarke, that was the perfect rendition of the typical sound and rhythms they use. And I love by the time we get to Patitucci and McBride it starts to sound like Pettiford and Brown again. The history is in the music!!! Thanks so much for doing this. Definitely a giant inspiration. Happy New Year!
You know better, then even myself, because I have never listened to free jazz recordings, and more with CH ,so I can't to know, what rhythm and notes he used
Man you got it bro, the lingo, musical verbalities, adverbs adjectives, pronouns, the proper diction and everything that you would want to be a soloist. I appreciate you
At 58 years old, I realize how fortunate I am that my high school music teacher, who was also my first bass instructor, introduced me to the work all of those you played, from Pettiford to Pattituci. And I grew up in Scott LaFaro's hometown of Geneva, NY, where there is a street named for him outside the Smith Opera House.
*LaFaro
LaFaro Forever❤❤
There are several negative comments addressing the fact that the great Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen was somehow left off of this list.
Firstly, please read the disclaimer in the description.
Secondly, the great NHØP should be in everyone's top 10 Jazz Bassist list. However, a) this is NOT a "best of" list and b) he played with such a singular style and (3-fingered) technique, that I found it impossible to reproduce to my own personal standards to be included in this video.
Thank you for watching and again--please read the description before you start a comment about who got left out.
Fair enough...but why not try checking out what NHØP's left hand was up to rather than being bothered buy his right hand...his scalular ideas and fluency rival anyone of the players you mentioned and his intonation along with it was flawless...listen again..just include a clip of him at least...and Cecile and Miraslav..
@@darindjking7463 please read the DISCLAIMER IN THE DESCRIPTION. Thank you.
I did...now read my reply...I've been playing bass 51years and I'm still not afraid to learn...nor to be taught..I respect what you said, your level of skill...but history is history...and complete factual history is the most helpful...you're an awesome player by the way...all the pioneers would be proud and flattered...even NHOP...R.I.P.
Right on!. Although the same can go to Eddie Gomez and Jaco...Only Love!
@@darindjking7463 : Happy new year
I have never, ever commented on a youtube video. That''s 15 or so years of just kicking back and watching. As a bass player, and an aficionado of bass history, you moved me so much with this video that I had to write something. Take care, watch health, and keep bringing these top-tier vids.
Thank you! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Where can I buy a beginner bass by any chance what brands are good
The Paul Chambers and Scott LaFaro parts went so hard
This is fantastic! I'd love to hear a version for electric bass too
Hmmmm. That might be a good idea!
@@pdbass you gotta talk about jaco!
@@yairsharon7197 there are a couple of vids on my channel where I talk about him. Dig this: th-cam.com/video/XAmir40yu5s/w-d-xo.html OR this one: th-cam.com/video/MYLv3a2W3V8/w-d-xo.html
@@pdbass i'll check them out!
That would be killer!
The Mingus and Charlie Haden choruses were BAD! Love checking out how the different players would approach the same thing, really great stuff as usual PT
I don’t think they were that terrible tbf
@@goobert2469 maybe you should check out the jazz slang video on this channel bro
It's sad that so many died young. Aside from the outstanding playing, the focus on history is special.
Pops Foster was a very good friend and mentor of my late father who died last year. When Pops toured in Britain with Jimmy Archey, he borrowed my father Bass, both he and Jimmy carved "Good luck to Bill, Pops Foster & Jimmy Archey" sadly the Bass was smashed when a band wagon overturned some years later, the autographed section survived and has been on the mantlepiece ever since.
I was fortunate enough to be a (mediocre) jazz (piano) student at William Paterson College in NJ back in the '90s at a time Rufus Reid ran the jazz program. I am so grateful to have seen him play so much over those few years. Those times when he was playing bass when I was playing piano (juries, tests, the audition, etc.) it felt like being lifted and propelled and pulled by this magic force. He was and probably still is just the kindest, most patient, nurturing soul, and the buoyancy of his tone and groove reflect that. I haven't played in a jazz combo since college and my musical preferences have drifted somewhat from this style of jazz, but I still find it pretty easy to hear when Rufus is playing on a side, and it takes so little time to know it's him. Thanks for including a chorus of you playing in his style.
What a wonderful tribute. Never met him but I got a chance to talk briefly with Dexter Gordon once representing my college newspaper and he was such a gentleman, took my question and ran with it!
I’m a drummer and I totally appreciate the demonstration as well as the love and commitment you have to your inner music.
I can't think of anyone who could do such a complete recounting of jazz bass history in under an hour (I've been a jazz bassist (6 string fretless electric for the past 30+ years) for around 40 years now.
Mingus, Haden and Patitucci were the ones I particularly listened to and said “Yep… “ 🤣
The vibrato on that "Rufus Reid" solo was very nice.
Masterful. Had the pleasure of seeing Ray Brown and Rufus Reid live back in the 70s. Speaking of masterful, I hope every bass player checks out the duets that Duke Ellington and Jimmie Blanton recorded in the early 1940s. Actually, beyond masterful.
Phenomenal. You studied these great players so thoroughly that you sound like YOU,channeling their influences/musical idiosyncracies...
It takes YEARS of devoted study and listening and basic b-flat-shedding to dial that stuff in...Maaaaan...Amazing and inspiring. Just keep doing what you're doing!
And thanks, again!!
best bass channel on youtube! great list, some of my other favorites include dave holland, sam jones, richard davis, gary peacock, cecil mcbee, buster williams, wilbur ware, israel crosby, larry grenadier, steve swallow, jaco, miroslav vitous, leroy vinegar, bob cranshaw, jimmy garrison, butch warren, and many more
Yes! And Eddie Gomez!
...Doug Watkins, Reggie Workman, Ray Brown, Butch Warren, Jymie Merritt...
Lot of names I'm unfamiliar w. Going to have to change that!
I think you’ve made a new standard required viewing video for all Bass instructors for their students. Excellent!!!
This video is decided as the best one i saw and will see in 2023.
You absolutely nailed the Stanley vibrato. Great work all around!
You just played what I imagined those bassist's. Great !
This made me smile start to finish. Wanted to hear Blanton represented slightly different but hey, great job.
The smokin' cat in this video goes on the list too.
The bass is the soul of jazz! Fantastic history of jazz class!
Excellent! It would be awesome to see a "Making of" -talking about your process in incorporating the unique elements of each example.
I'll confess I wasn't familiar with "Slam Stewart, so I was expecting a bowed example for Paul Chambers.
I know you could not have included EVERYONE but I would have loved to see you applying NHOP's approach in that mix.
REALLY NICE, MAN!!!! I follow Ron on Instagram; what a cool guy, too, what with his Rick Beato interview! So many died too damn young! NICE MAN, THANKS! And, well, um... you ain't no damn slouch either! Bravo!!!!!!
I'm so glad for this video, I'm doing a bunch of college studies for Music (Focused on Education and Jazz), and me being a Bass Player, This opened up a gateway to expand my repertoire, no longer stuck only knowing just Paul Chambers and Charles Mingus. Thank you, good sir.
honestly you could do pretty well with just PC and mingus lol
Paul, I'm a little late to this one, but the thing that struck me the most about a lot of these players is how young they were when they passed. Such a shame.
You really got that Stanley Clarke weird vibrato thing perfect.
Dude, you're out of control. This was amazing.
A great lesson Paul. And wow, we lost some of these musicians so young!
Some of them died because of themself
OK, this is INCREDIBLE. To a degree it's "easy" to evoke Pops Foster or Walter Page but the way you imitate Charlie Haden and especially Christian McBride took my breath away. I could recognize them by the second note. Bravo! Subscribing.
A history lesson in 7 minutes. This would be one hell of a great series. Thanks so much for this!
And nothing else needs to be said. Excellent video!😁
I know this isn’t meant to be a definitive list, but it’s worthwhile hearing Bill Johnson in 1928 with the Dixie Four (James Blythe and Clarence Johnson on duo pianos; Johnson on bass and Cliff “Snags” Jones on drums). They made four sides: “Five O’Clock Stomp”, “Kentucky Stomp”, “Southside Stomp” and “St Louis Man”. All great. Bass and drums are more prominently recorded on this and audible than on many other 20s records.
Also around the same time, James Blythe recorded a couple of piano trios with Bill Johnson on bass and probably Cliff Jones on drums again: “Shake Your Shimmy” and “Bull Fiddle Rag”, although for some reason discographies list “William Lyle” as the bassist and Jimmy Bertrand as drummer on that session, I’m not sure why. (They also list Buddy Burton as the 2nd pianist on the Dixie Four sides but it is manifestly not and is Clarence Johnson in my opinion).
Anyway, 6 sides from the late 20s worth hearing with nice bass playing! These sides are also sort of “party records”. Bill Johnson yells encouragement at all the musicians frequently throughout each of these 6 recordings.
Astounding- I’ve not seen a better feat of musical ability OR a more insightful post anywhere on TH-cam.
Can’t even express how good this is!!🔥🔥🔥
Merci beaucoup for this.
What struck me was how many died so young. I wasn't a musician for most of my life, and am making up for lost time since my retirement with a piano. So my left hand has me searching out stuff to do, which leads me to videos like this. It would be interesting to see some of the back story on some of these players.
BTW I hope to have my video on exercises for the pianist to do...and any other musician, to help with back pain but also how to help the shoulders and arms, hands. Very good for finger strength.
Stay tuned.
You Slam impression was right on the dough-rooni.
Listening to that and thinking back to my days of humpin' a dog house on the metro to club dates... reminds me of why I went electric fretless 30+ years ago. Phenomenal and thanks for the memories!
Fantastic tone...and you make it look easy! Things went up a notch with Blanton. Don't know how you did it...the actual 'sound' (tone?) of the Mingus chorus was Mingus. Cool stuff!
I can't tell you how wonderful you are!!
Thank you so much!
Wow, this is great! I love how much your right hand changes to imitate the different players tones and not just their note choices. Wonderful work on this!
Nice! This was no easy feat to improvise in the styles of those players. I would love to hear the walking counterpoint to this.
I really dig your channel! I’ve never played a double bass but man I respect your talent. I hope everyone has a fantastic 2023 😎🎸
THANK YOU!!
So many styles and all great each one had his one funk to his style I love it thank you Paul!!!!
This is so great! The cats in more familiar with we’re spot on. Your Ray Brown and McBride sounded perfect!
Wow, great, compelling, fun to watch and listen to all those bass styles!
Incredible Paul, I could listen to you play the blues all day!
Would've expected the occasional 'oh yeah!' with the Mingus impression.
I think my head just exploded... 🥰🤯
Finally, double bass again,yeah! I'm speechless, the imitations are done so well!!! Love that you included Slam Stewart!
Can you please do some videos on some Jean Luc Ponty tunes? He writes the grooviest basslines and always has top tier players performing them."Give Us a Chance" has one of the grooviest bass performances I ever heard and no one ever talks about it!
Loved this! Thank you
I actually play drumset but I love watching your videos!! It enlightens me on how bassists think and approach their instrument. Then there’s always an underlying music history lesson intertwined. Great work!! ❤
Fantastic! What a joy! Thanks for that!
Yo!!!! This is so great. I laughed out loud at the Charlie Haden and Stanley Clarke, that was the perfect rendition of the typical sound and rhythms they use. And I love by the time we get to Patitucci and McBride it starts to sound like Pettiford and Brown again. The history is in the music!!! Thanks so much for doing this. Definitely a giant inspiration. Happy New Year!
You know better, then even myself, because I have never listened to free jazz recordings, and more with CH ,so I can't to know, what rhythm and notes he used
A great history lesson, and a lot of information to chew over in the new year. Thank you and Happy New Year!
That was amazing bro. Thank you.
What a great video! Your ability to play in each of their styles is nothing short of amazing!
That was amazing you captured the vibe of all of them so well 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
You rule brother! A modern day savant!
Outstanding! This was an amazing tribute to all three great history of this instrument and the players!
Great work! Great list!
Spectacular. Thank you!
This is outstanding, great demonstration of each players’ technique and style!
Just epic. Loved it to pieces!!!!
This was great. Thanks for putting this together!
Awesome. Educational, entertaining and inspiring. Even the faces! Especially at the end of the Ray Brown chorus ;-) Thank you!!
You are one of the best! Thank you!
Sweet. Thanks Pdbass. I’m always here Learning from you. Happy New Year’s to you and Your Family.
Fantastic. A great story in 15 choruses. Great content as always. Thank you PDbass.
That was freaking great! I thank you!
Brilliant playing & excellent content!
Thank you. - have a great 2023
Wow!! Capturing all that different style is just incredible. Great, great video!
Excellent!!!
Tears to the eyes…beautiful. You are a sublime artist. I’d say more but I’m too emotional❤
Well done! 👏👏
This was a real treat! Thanks Happy New Year!
Absolutely fantastic and "eargasmic." Thanks so much for all you do. Happy New Year!!😎❤️
Man you got it bro, the lingo, musical verbalities, adverbs adjectives, pronouns, the proper diction and everything that you would want to be a soloist.
I appreciate you
remarkable work man thanks!
Awesome video! Wonderful music and a glimpse into history. Thanks for sharing ❤🎉👏🎶
Great work I’m not historian but i could hear a lot of the bassists I’m familiar with. Some favs were chambers, lafaro, Mingus, Carter and haden
Wow what a fantastic break down of all those legends styles. Thank you man
Thank you for sharing!
This was great!
Loved this! Especially since I get in a rut... so many new ideas to explore!
Amazing!! Thank you!!
This is wonderful - I love it!
This is fantastic. I enjoyed every second!
Wonderful, and inspiring..thanks, Paul
Amazing, thank you man!
Outstanding! Best to you in the New Year!
So cool! Will be coming back to this time again. Thanks!
I needed that...Happy Holidays to you and yours! Gracias!
Beautiful, brilliant, and very educational
Thank you. A performance of love for 15 great performers
So cool. Thank you.
Awesome!!
This is some of your best work yet (and that's saying something!) brilliant work Mr Thompson!
Excellent! the work shines through!