I dig Ray Brown and Ron Carter....but my all time favorite will always be Scott LaFaro. It's amazing what he accomplished in such a short time.

Ray Brown, Oscar Pettiford, Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Scott LaFaro are the oldies I dig.

There's a cat who I believe plays in New York these days... or is it Chicago? :) Anyway, his name is Larry Kohut, and he's been through my way twice with saxophonist Rudy Mahanthappa... I'm totally into this guy's playing. If any of you ever get a chance, check this guy out. He's not a choppy guy, but he's a genuinly friendly guy and a wonderful musician.

I'm pretty new to the world of DB--so far I really like Paul Chambers, Scott LaFaro, Edgar Meyer, Eddie Gomez, and Gary Karr....
"The Arrival of Victor Feldman" with LaFaro is one of my favorite recordings.
What surprised me is that in a recent Down Beat magazine they listed past Hall of Famers and bassists seem to be woefully underrepresented--Jimmy Blanton, LaFaro, Chambers, Red Mitchell are absent. Mingus and Jaco are in, though.
How is the Down Beat poll regarded within the jazz community?

I rank it right up there with People Magazine.
The community of players and the community of non-playing afficianados (sp.?) will likely have different opinions.

Besides those already mentioned (especially Scott LaFaro)...
I also enjoy Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen. You don't tend to hear much about him....but his playing is outstanding!

I just picked up Joel Quarrington's Virtuoso Reality,and it
was very interesting. His concept of tuning in fifths is
adventurous, IMO it makes the Bass sound like an oversized Cello,but he is still one of my favorite classical players, Also Jorma Katrama,Thomas Martin,Gary Karr, and
I really like Edgar Meyers' work as well.
On the Jazz side, Ray Brown, Oscar Pettiford, Paul Chambers for the old school,Christian Mcbride, Bob Hurst,NHOP for the New School.

Deynn - The nasty truth is that jazz musicians fall in and out of favor with the record companies. Years ago, Cecil McBee was everywhere. Then NHOP, then others, now Christian McBride. McBee and NHOP didn't suddenly become bad players

I had heard that NHOP was sick for a while, and took a year off.Any truth to this rumour?

I hadn't hear about him being sick. If it is true, then I hope he is doing well these days.

Originally posted by reedo35
I had heard that NHOP was sick for a while, and took a year off.Any truth to this rumour?

I haven't heard about that, but did anyone ever see a few years back a special - I think it was on Bravo - NHOP with Oscar Peterson and a drummer (forgot who) doing a composition by OP called "Easter Suite"? I think they made a CD of it as well. Very beautiful music with outstanding work by NHOP.

Also, Charlie Haden really does it for me. The Quartet West recordings are great. I get choked up listening to "The Left Hand of God".

In addition, I find that I prefer John Pattitucci and Stanley Clarke's upright playing to their electric playing. Yeah, Stanley's a monster and seemingly most popular for his Alembic driven excursions, but for me his style really brings something special to the acoustic bass.

Thanks Stingray. I was trying earlier to think of Charlie Haden..and for the life of me...I just couldn't remember it. I wonder what else I have forgotten today?....:)

My favorite bassest is Joey DeMaio of Manowar.
The man can play Flight of the Bubblebee and The William Tell Overture on his bass guitar. The man is a god!

dammit! where's my 8 string. grab his legs don!

seriously, though...

archangel, you are new to talkbass, so i'll give ya a few pointers. first, welcome! :D second, talkbass actually consists of 2 boards, the upright, or Double Bass forum and the electric, or Bass Guitar forum.

the guys on the double bass side get really REEAALLLY cranky when we bring our electric drivel over onto their side of the fence. so for future reference, if you see the little [DB] after the forum/topic title, then only post if you have something Double-bass related to say. otherwise, look for the [BG] forums.

[Edited by john turner on 08-29-2000 at 05:29 PM]

Originally posted by Stingray5
I haven't heard about that, but did anyone ever see a few years back a special - I think it was on Bravo - NHOP with Oscar Peterson and a drummer (forgot who) doing a composition by OP called "Easter Suite"? I think they made a CD of it as well. Very beautiful music with outstanding work by NHOP.

Also, Charlie Haden really does it for me. The Quartet West recordings are great. I get choked up listening to "The Left Hand of God".
[/B]

Actually, I think you can get the video to that performance. I'll look into it.
Also, I couldn't agree more about the Charlie Haden thing.
Just goes to show you that there is beauty in simplicity.

Arch - Welcome to Talkbass. I have to confess ignorance of the name you gave. But that's what often happens when a person talks BG to a DB. No sweat. You will find loads of company on the BG side, though.

Must....keep....control....!!!! Please at least read the other posts and find out where you are, BG boys!!

Man, Eddie Van Halen can really fly!

Steve Morse from Dixie Dregs is great!

Wait,...... is this a bass forum? My bad.

What the *$%@ is a double bass anyway?

I agree with archangel.....those guys rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRR RRRRRR!!!

:(

sorry guys, i try and i try ;) they're just gonna wander in here like bums into a 24 hr mcdonalds. just don't make eye contact, and they'll go away.

Maybe we're runing into a conceptual pb here:

Any dude member that wants to check-out what's new since his last visit is gonna hit the "Members: view new posts since your last visit", and then the site gives several pages of these new posts which are mixed DB and BG posts...

I find this new-post-since-last-visit function quite useful, but I'm annoyed to have to sort-out between DB and BG. So, it could be that excess cross over could be avoided by some cleanning-up of the entry page. Some crossover is good though: I was really amazed by the string soaking procedures of the BG guys.

Take it easy, John.

JT:

Sorry, didn't mean to ruffle your feathers. Honestly, I am safe. You can make eye contact. Check out my profile, I am very verticle (i.e. upright).

Originally posted by reedo35
Originally posted by Stingray5
I haven't heard about that, but did anyone ever see a few years back a special - I think it was on Bravo - NHOP with Oscar Peterson and a drummer (forgot who) doing a composition by OP called "Easter Suite"? I think they made a CD of it as well. Very beautiful music with outstanding work by NHOP.

Also, Charlie Haden really does it for me. The Quartet West recordings are great. I get choked up listening to "The Left Hand of God".


Actually, I think you can get the video to that performance. I'll look into it.
Also, I couldn't agree more about the Charlie Haden thing.
Just goes to show you that there is beauty in simplicity. [/B]


Reedo, You couldn't be more right about simplicity. (Now if I could only convince my band members of that...:mad:

I actually have the "Easter Suite" somewhere on video. I taped it when it was on. But the quality is poor and I really would be interested if it was available somewhere. Let me know if you hear anything!

PS Hey Tim, I got the joke! ;)

Originally posted by Tim Ludlam
JT:

Sorry, didn't mean to ruffle your feathers. Honestly, I am safe. You can make eye contact. Check out my profile, I am very verticle (i.e. upright).
As you can see, it is hard to distinguish between playful humor and just being a wank, unless you either say
"just kidding!" or post a smilie :)
Having said that,can you tell me a little about your german Upright, do you know who made it, who put the C extension on,distinguishing characteristics,blah,blah... I'm thinking of getting
a C extension on my Juzek, and I wonder how much it would cost?

Hey Reedo:

The sticker from inside the bass had been removed quite some time ago. So I am not really sure of its origin. I'm going strickly on the best guesses of my luthier. Anyhow, characteristically it is very, very similar to a Juzek. It's in really good shape, very few repairs. I bought it with the "C" extension already installed. My teacher tells me that his extensions cost around $700 to $900, I can tell you that my extension is certainly not worthy of that price tag. The stop is marginal, but it is sufficient. The sound, whether open or closed, is very good. It is very even throughout the fingerboard.

He's already been mentioned, but I have to echo Charlie Haden's name, especially due to his playing on Ornette Colemans's "The Art Of The Improvisers." Specifically, "The Circle With A Hole In The Middle." That is precisely the track that pushed me into the double bass camp. Scott La Faro's great, too. Jaco's great, too. Miroslav Vitous is also great.

But, since the question is "Favorite Bassist" (i.e., singular, not plural), I'd say Charlie Haden is tops .

Jazzers - Ray Brown, stanley clarke, Christian Mcbride, ron carter, paul chambers. Have any of you heard ray drummand? I saw him play with steve turre (trombone) The guy was flawlessly accurate in all registures. he made me feel like I had hundreds of years to go.
Of the few recordings I've heard of Niels, I was astounded by his technical ability, but he left no space in between phrases. It was like he was playing TO much.

Classical - Gary Karr. Look out for Jeff Braditich. He played a youth masterclass that I attended. After he finnished, he asked if we had any questions. There was an eerie silence that lasted for a while. we were scared to respond. I had never heard anything like that before. I was like six feet away.... That was an awsome night.

I stumbled into Edgar meyer through napster (god bless napster). He was playing Ziguenerwiesen by pablo sarasate (written for violin). Flawless intonation. His upper-most range consited of an unbelievible control of harmonics. astonishing.

jonn - Are telling me that Laura Snyder allows you to call it an "upright"?

Originally posted by jonn_
Jazzers - Ray Brown, stanley clarke, Christian Mcbride, ron carter, paul chambers. Have any of you heard ray drummand?
I stumbled into Edgar meyer through napster (god bless napster). He was playing Ziguenerwiesen by pablo sarasate (written for violin). Flawless intonation. His upper-most range consited of an unbelievible control of harmonics. astonishing.

I saw "Bulldog"Drummond with Kenny Barron in Germany.
Zigeunerwiesen is from the album "Uncommon Ritual" and if you liked that, the rest of it is also awesome! A must-Have!
I met Bratetich at a Master Class, and I was lusting after his Gasparo da Solo Bass. What a sound!

Don - I don't call it an upright usualy, I just figured it would be clearer (many bass guitarists that wander around here seem really confused.

Reedo35 - thanks, I will definately look for that album.

I should add john pattitucci, and dave holland to my list.
some of pattiucci's compositions are annoying, but he is one of the most amazing bassist around

hey tim, i wasn't roaring at you, i was roaring at the other [BG] kids, but really just kidding. sort of a joke i got going on with don and ed, some [BG] guys wander in, then i come in and rustle'em outta here, like goats outta yer flowers :D

i guess, now that i'm a moderator, people are gonna start taking me more seriously. damn, that sux, oh, well ,sorry to confuse you guys that way, and i will try to keep those damn [BG] kids off yer lawns :D.

For the record, Sean Smith plays a Kay that he bought from his teacher and mine, Michael Moore. Michael used it on tour with Benny Goodman, who, like Buddy Rich, was a force to be reckoned with. After a concert, Michael was unaware that Goodman could hear him downplaying it as only his road bass to an effusive fan. He turned, saw Goodman looking over the top of his glasses, saying "Oh? You mean you don't bring your GOOD bass when you work with me?"

Well, I get to see the Ray Brown Trio at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA, tonight (http://www.yoshis.com) tonight. Based on having seen his name as a favorite bassist, I'm hoping to be blown away, or at least, impressed by his playing. I'm looking forward to it.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by FanOfHaden
Well, I get to see the Ray Brown Trio at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA, tonight (http://www.yoshis.com) tonight. Based on having seen his name as a favorite bassist, I'm hoping to be blown away, or at least, impressed by his playing. I'm looking forward to it. [/QUOTE

In all likelyhood....blown away. :)

Joel Quarrington - without question.

I just heard Edgar Meyer play yesterday in Toronto, promoting his new recording of Bach cello suites, and as fabulous a player as he is, I still prefer Joel's playing by quite a bit. Both are very comparable from a technical accuracy standpoint, but I feel Joel's playing has a much broader range of emotion. Edgar is an incredibly relaxed and "groove" oriented player, which is great, but Joel seems to have an incredible spirit and drive with a tremendous range of colour and emotion.

Don't get me wrong, I do think Edgar is an incredibly fine bassist, I just personally prefer Joel's concept of tone and his interpretations.

Originally posted by Deynn
[QUOTE]Originally posted by FanOfHaden
Well, I get to see the Ray Brown Trio at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA, tonight (http://www.yoshis.com) tonight. Based on having seen his name as a favorite bassist, I'm hoping to be blown away, or at least, impressed by his playing. I'm looking forward to it. [/QUOTE

In all likelyhood....blown away. :)

Oh, I enjoyed the show very much. In fact, I'm thinking about going back next week, to hear the trio perform with a saxophonist. But I especially liked a song dedicated to one of Ray's old friends (I can't remember the unique name the guy had). But the song had slow parts and then this cool walking bass line. That was an exciting song.

The night turned out to be great for another reason: I was able to find an instructor, and, she studies under Ray Brown. Her playing is said to be remind a listener of Charlie Haden. That was good enough for me. I can't wait to get started.

Originally posted by Ed Fuqua

I gotta say, what Pattituci (Patitucci?Patittuci?PPaattiittuuccii?) I've heard on the radio or at people's cribs hasn't really made me wanna run out and buy his records. And not all of it is just my cranky "I listen to dead people" thang. I'm not saying he's a piker or anything, I just haven't heard anything that has affected me like hearing Peter Washington or Steve LaSpina or Sean Smith. These guys really dig into the time and I always have the sense that they are playing MUSIC, not just the bass.
The recording that has me tempted, though, is the new Roy Haynes trio record.

But seriously, with SO many bad cats out there (both alive and immortalized through their recordings)how can you limit yourself to a "favorite"?

I have felt this with JP's upright playing, but always thought before that this was just my own limited understanding of what a great double bass player should be like. After all he has been hired by some great contemporary Jazz legends just to play upright, so what do I know!

I also wouldn't want to criticise him in any way, as he obviously does a huge amount for education in the US, but I always find that I appreciate his stuff on electric 6-string far more and in this field his melodic sense when using the electric instrument makes him really stand out; whereas I don't hear anything "special" on upright and always feel somehow "disappointed" if he doesn't play electric.

Here's a couple I like:

-Stanley Clarke
-Lee Rocker

2 that I really like that haven't been mentioned: George Mraz for his great tone, perfect intonation (sickening), and overall musicianship. I just picked up his latest with all the Morovian (Czech) folk songs and it is interesting, although not quite jazz and not quite classical. Listened to it 3 times on the way to New Orleans today until my wife got tired of it. Another great young cat that no one ever mentions is Rodney Whitaker. Everyone mentions Christian McBride, but I really enjoy Radney more, personally. His last 2 solo albums have been really good, and he is on the new Criss Cross release with Clarence Penn playing very nicely. I'm enjoying New Orleans, I caught saw good players this evening. In fact, I got to sit in with the Jerry Jumonville Quartet, and the bassist is probably going to have me cover one of his sets tomorrow; should be fun if I don't embarrass myself.
Monte

i just cleaned up all the [BG] droppings in this thread.

you know, i think we should start a thread like this every few weeks, just to snare the wandering [BG]'ers who can't read.

I THINK FLEE AND FIELDY AND STING R THE BEST CUZ THEY ONLY GOTS ONE NAME 4 U 2 REMMEMBUR. ALSO SHARE MAY B CUD BE A BASSPLAYER FOR THE SAAME REESUN, MAY B IF SHE GOT AN IBANEZ SHEE CUD B KOOL 2.

my favorite upright players (not necessarily in order)
Ron Carter. great lines, great tone.
George Mraz. Impeccable intonation, great tone.
NHOP: beautiful sound.
Mingus: instantly recognizable. nuff said.
Steve Rodby has wonderful tone and taste.

I don't like players like LeFaro and Eddie Gomez. I think their tone is too 'stringy' and they're trying to do too much on the instrument. It's an upright bass for crying out loud!!!

Originally posted by peteroberts
I don't like players like LeFaro and Eddie Gomez. I think their tone is too 'stringy' and they're trying to do too much on the instrument. It's an upright bass for crying out loud!!!

Thats "LaFaro".
You have a right to your own opinion but...what the hell???...and 'stringy' is that slab slang for something????? After all it is a string bass.

We'll put PeterRoberts down with a vote for complacent retardation.

My favorite bass player is, without question, me. I can't find another to pay my rent.

I'm surprized no one has mentioned him yet, but Dave Holland is way up there on my list of all time favorite bass players. And his writing is as inspired as his playing too - can't think of too many bassists you can say that about.
How about a slight spin on this thread: great bassists who are also great composers. I'd put Dave Holland, Charlie Haden, and Charles Mingus on my list. Anyone else?

I love Pettiford and Mingus, but I have been getting into a guy named Jim Ferguson. Pretty laid back player. Don't know if I would call him smooth jazz but he isn't as agressive as Pettifod or Mingus.

Kind of a Jazz/HipHop/Country thing. :D

hey dont flame me just 'cause I misspelled his name!! I really don't like upright players like that - they just play too many notes. I like someone more like Ron Carter or Rufus Reid where sound and tone are more important. Complacent retardation??!!? I think not. Why would you basically call me an idiot when all I did was express my opinion; is it because it is not the same as yours??

OK...my turn....I enjoy two DB players mostly. Ray Brown and Rufus Reid. Ray is the man. His mastery of thr fingerboard is something I wish I had half of and I find Rufus Reids use of harmonics in walking lines pretty cool stuff. Now I know hes not the only DB player to do that but.... If any of you have seen the Bass Day 97 video featuring Rufus Reid and Michael Moore you see where I`m comming from. Both of them hurt my feelings...lol




If the world didn`t suck we would all fall off;)

Originally posted by peteroberts
hey dont flame me just 'cause I misspelled his name!! I really don't like upright players like that - they just play too many notes. Why . . . . all I did was express my opinion; is it because it is not the same as yours??

Mr. Pete -- Nope. You're getting flamed because your opinion seems to overlook developments in jazz since Jimmy Blanton moved the bass out of TubaTown in 1939. How about Ray Brown & Oscar Pettiford -- aren't they "real" enough for you, even though they hit fifty years ago?

In my opinion, Scott LaFaro's importance to jazz approaches (if not quite equals) that of Parker, Davis and Coletrane because he dramatically changed the way people play his instrument, and he substantially changed the way that other instrumentalists approach the music. And all that happened forty years ago.

I haven't seen folks around here dissing Ron Carter or Rufus Reed. But before you cite them, inform your opinion by checking out what Rufus has to say about LaFaro.

I don't deny the fact that LaFaro did a lot for the bass...I just said I really didn't care for him because of his tone ('stringy' as opposed to 'woody') and the fact that he plays a sh*tload of notes. I like some of the stuff he did w/Bill Evans, but for an Evans bassist, I prefer Chuck Israels.

I guess I'm not making any friends here, so I'll be quiet.

So there has been no talk of the current younger guys. You gotta check out Larry Grenadier, Matt Penman, and Ben Street. All different players that have amazing time and are always musical. It's cool to be into the older guys and definately a must but you must also check out the younger guys. Imaging if you were living in the time of Scott LaFarro but weren't checking him out because you're so into Ray Brown. I think you know what I mean.

C. Landry

My all-time favorite upright player is probably Dave Holland. What an awesome combination of tone, technique, note choice, and feel. Lately, I've been listening to bootleg recordings of Holland playing live with Miles Davis' band in 1969. That band was scary, even with Chick Corea playing a Wurlitzer electric piano! I also like Holland's recent recordings with his own group.

Others: Ron Carter, Buster Williams, Cecil McBee, MINGUS, Paul Chambers, Gary Peacock (even the early recordings with Albert Ayler!), Jay Anderson, Christian McBride (my favorite of the relative newcomers), Charlie Haden, Richard Davis

Is anybody aware of my former teacher, Lyn Christie, in the NYC area? He had a unique approach that I always enjoyed.

Re non-jazz players: I've heard Viktor Krauss play several times with Lyle Lovett's band. To me, he sounds like Dave Holland translated into a country/bluegrass/Western swing context.

I will not mention my absolute favorite bassist, Steve Swallow, who might be looked upon as something of a traitor over here. However, he is the only electric bass player about whom my friend (drummer) Adam Nussbaum has anything good to say.

Originally posted by RHFusillo
My all-time favorite upright player is probably Dave Holland.


I will not mention my absolute favorite bassist, Steve Swallow

??????

I got to know Steve in the 60's, when he played the real bass. Very nice 4/4 sense, which he somehow was able to carry over to toybass, in contrast to the vast majority of players.
I also was friendly with bassist Buell Neidlinger, who played in Houston for a while. I never could figure out why, but he and Swallow shared a mutual dislike that was surprisingly intense.

I've sent you Lyn's e-mail address.

Originally posted by RHFusillo
However, he is the only electric bass player about whom my friend (drummer) Adam Nussbaum has anything good to say.

I have had similar things from other Jazz musicians, who mention Steve Swallow to me as an electric bassist who plays Jazz - but I really hate his tone and can't get past this! Probably is more my loss than anything....

I also was friendly with bassist Buell Neidlinger, who played in Houston for a while. I never could figure out why, but he and Swallow shared a mutual dislike that was surprisingly intense.

Hmm... both Connecticut natives. Maybe there was some shared, unpleasant history between the two. I did not know that Neidlinger spent time in Houston.

By the way, Don, I notice that you studied with Michael Moore. Great player. Another former teacher of mine, guitarist Linc Chamberland used rave about him.

Buell left the jazz scene for awhile, and one of his gigs was the Houston Symphony.

Have any of you done much listening to Don Thompson? As I write this, i'm listening to his solo on 'My One and Only Love'...nothing short of beautiful. Somebody mentioned Larry Grenadier. I'm curious to hear other opinions, because i still haven't decided how I feel about his playing. It seems the more I hear, the more I like, but I haven't quite got his approach yet. For those who haven't heard him, check out any of the 'Art of the Trio' albums by Brad Mehldau. No particular favourite...they're all wicked.

That being said, nobody does it quite as good as Gary Peacock.

CB

I think I checked out Don on a Lenny Breau Album (Lenny being a Maine nattive). Don was cool on the album. Had a poor sound but I think it was because it was live and they might have miked his amp instead of his bass....As for Larry Grenadier he is the man. Art of the Trio vol 3 Songs is the best album. His playing and lock up in general with the trio is amazing. Funny that you should mention Gary Peacock because he is Larry's Favorite bassist. Everybody should check out Larry especially live in any situation.

C. Landry
Larry Enthusiast

I'm not sure if this channel airs very south of the border, but Bravo! just had a 1 hour special on the Brad Mehldau Trio, taken from the 2000 Montreal Jazz Festival, where Larry played some excellent solos. For the most part, they were much more melodic than I normally hear. Excellent rhythm playing across the trio. Worth checking out if you hear of it.

For some superior Gary Peacock, check out Oracle with Ralph Towner.

CB

...and as far as Don Thompson goes...I've got the Breau album you're talking about and you're right--bad bass sound. Have you checked out Lenny Breau's 'Live at Bourbon Steet'? It's a double album with Dave Young. Mainly standards, mainly Lenny, but inredible just the same. The DT album I was referring to earlier is 'A Beautiful Friendship'. It's also got Dave Holland on it.

CB

I wouldn´t choose among so many great American
bassists, i´ve heard incredible things of Cecil McBee, Stanley Clarke, Ron Carter, Mingus,
Dave Holland...

I´ll prefer to remember the "French connection".
Guys, listen to François Rabbath and Renaud Garcia-Fons !
Anyone knows the first albums of Henry Texier, back in the 70's ?
And you have some great albums of l´Orchestre de contrebasses.


As for classical, we have one bassist who play at the same level as the great violinists, Swedish
Hakan Ehren, who recorded the Tubin concerto.
Chi-chi Nwanoku is also a fantastic player.
As for Gary Karr, I´m not fascinated by his recordings, except one tune here and there, or the public performance of Lalo Schifrin, which is very impressive. Anyway he´s probably the most important bassist of 20th century and we´re all grateful to him.

I don´t like Jeff Bradetich and I´m not on the same line with Joel Quarrington, even if he´s very interesting and make beautiful things.
I don´t like the interpretation of Bach by Edgar Meyer but I´m really extremely fascinated with his sound and the new pespectives he opens to the bass players. But as for interpretation, I prefer him
in his other recordings, whch are all fabulous.

;)

:p

My favorite bassist(s) are:

Jaco Pastorius
Charles Mingus
Victor Wooten
Gary Peacock
Ron Carter

GARY F"N PEACOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh... and me... In my own self absorbed iconoclastic state of being.. I really think we spend too much time putting others on pedestals and ignoring ourselves!

I've only heard a couple of recordings he has played on, I like what he does but it never really grabbed me. Could someone suggest a recording he is on that may "show me the light".

My favorites are Ron Carter, Dave Holland, Mingus (of course), and I have heard a few things with Slam Stewart which I really dig. Scott LaFaro is also one of the tops. One guy I haven't seen mentioned too much, Jimmy Garrison. I love the things he played on "A Love Supreme" plus Ornette Coleman's "New York Is Now."

My short list.....

*Larry Grenadier
*Scott LaFaro
*John Patitucci (love his upright playing MORE than electric, contrary to what others have expressed)
*Charlie Haden
*Gary Peacock
*Marc Johnson
*Matt Golombisky (fine upright player I used to study with... lives in New Orleans now)
*Mike Holstein (local player... needs to move to New York because he could KILL <lol>)

Others I also dig are Ben Street, Scott Colley, and John Goldsby.

Originally posted by JazznFunk
My short list.....

*Larry Grenadier
*Scott LaFaro
*John Patitucci (love his upright playing MORE than electric, contrary to what others have expressed)
*Charlie Haden
*Gary Peacock
*Marc Johnson
*Matt Golombisky (fine upright player I used to study with... lives in New Orleans now)
*Mike Holstein (local player... needs to move to New York because he could KILL <lol>)

Others I also dig are Ben Street, Scott Colley, and John Goldsby.


With the exception of the two guys you know personally (whom I have never heard play), I agree completely. Those guys can ALL play.

what about Richard Davis ?

Ray Campi
Guybo
Dorsey Burnette
Bill Black

Who's Guybo?

Guybo played slapbass for Eddie Cochran and Glen Glenn. Can't remember his real name, Cochran used to call him "Guybo".. :)

Originally posted by Buddy Lee
Ray Campi
Guybo
Dorsey Burnette
Bill Black

If you like stuff along those lines, you'd love Jimmy Sutton from the Four Charms, Jake Irwin of Hot Club of Cowtown, Kevin Smith, Matt Weiner.
Also give a listen to Willie Dixon's work with the Big Three, and Milt Hinton with Cab Calloway's band, especially Ebony Silhouette, Slappin' the Bass, and Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho.

I think most of us agree on the greats of the past- Mingus, Ray Brown, Paul Chambers, Scott LaFaro, LeRoy Vinnegar and so forth. Let me just mention a few contemporary players and why I like them.

Charlie Haden: Because he plays bass. I tend to lose interest when I hear someone noodling around in the upper register where the bass sounds like a ukulele ;) Also because he's an object lesson in economy of notes. His recording of spirituals and gospel tunes with Hank Jones is a perfect example.

Glen Moore: Because he really stretches the conception of what the role of the bass is. I don't think anyone else sounds like him. Moore's duo recordings with Nancy King are among my favorite disks. If you haven't heard a King & Moore CD, rush out and buy one.

Marian Haden (no relation to Charlie). An incredibly powerful and lyrical Detroit area player- she knocks me out. A local trumpet player said to me "She plays like a MAN!" (Hey, I'm just quoting here.)

I just cannot hear enough of Edgar Meyer right now. I first heard of him back in '90 when a friend had an advance dub of the master for "Work in Progress". In July of '91, I got to actually meet the man at breakfast. I'm pretty sure his eyes were not open, but he was wise and friendly.
I've loved the music of Charles Mingus, and studied with Dr. Milton Masciadri, but I would love to be a lot more like Edgar. My goal is to be a succesful bassist in popular and folk music.

Sorry, but I have the standards up there....

Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, Stu.......and many, many, more....but those are the most influencing in my playing I think (or would like to think :D)

Originally posted by Pako
Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, Stu.......and many, many, more....but those are the most influencing in my playing I think (or would like to think :D)

Well I like those guys too, Pako. But this is a doublebass thread (translation: upright or acoustic bass, not electric). Don't feel bad. It was an honest mistake.

My appology! :o

Pete Hand, a local here that I was fortunate enough to have had some instruction under him while playing in Orchestra. Among his classical perfection, his techniques while playing jazz in local clubs was inspiring to watch. His energy, feeling, and articulation was outstanding.

Ray brown, Marshall hawkins, Brian Bromberg
these are my upright idols.

I've recently been hipped to Ben Allison, whose playing I've really become enamoured with as of late. In addition to his work with Medicine Wheel, I love a recording he did with Bill Gerhardt and Pere Soto called "Particular Vernacular." Dave Liebman, Dave Douglas, and Jeff Ballard were also on that date. I've had the pleasure of playing with Bill on a couple of occasions when he's been back home here in Asheville and he kicks my butt to say the least.

Anyway, I have to add Ben to my list of faves as well. Anyone else up on Ben's playing besides me?

Yeah, I bought Nuclear Tiger last year, and really dig Ben's playing. Big sound too.

Monte

Not a DBer and wouldn't claim to be as much of a connoisseur as most of the folks here but surprised no-one's mentioned David Izenzon. His inventive and melodic playing on Ornette Coleman's "Live at the Golden Circle" albums really stands out for me.

Ed,
Kind of off topic I guess, but what's the scene like in south Florida for jazz? With UofM down there I'm assuming it's pretty hip, but since you know some cats down there, I figured you might have some extra insight. I'm thinking of moving there or to Boston after college to settle in and try to expand my horizons & get my butt kicked by some much more advanced players.

Much thanks....

That answers my question.... thanx, Ed. :)

CHARLIE MINGUS RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!

He had so many invovative styles. someoneneeds to back me up

Originally posted by patriotslayer
CHARLIE MINGUS RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!

He had so many invovative styles. someoneneeds to back me up
True true. He set an example for all bassists afterwards to be an aggressive musician and to lead the band.
Nobody looks cooler than Ron Carter but no one scares the crap out of the rest of the band like Mingus.

This thread's been around for awhile, so it gives me a chance to rethink the original question on a regular basis. When I do, I always seem to think of one name each time; John Clayton. He just does a lot of things really well, with great taste and time, all over the fingerboard. I don't know if that makes him my favorite, but he's way up there.

As a kid who first got into bass on the BG side of things I was really into Jack Bruce, but when I heard Ron Carter, man, that sound just grabbed me and I knew that someday I would play DB, which now I do. I'm only sorry that I didn't start sooner, but that's OK cause it was worth the wait. Mingus, Chambers, Stanley, Christian McBride, and Isreal Crosby also are among my fav's.

From the past... George Duvivier

From the present... George Mraz

Most Underrated... Jay Leonhart

That's the big three for me. As much for their compositions as for their playing.
Don't know what to say about Meyer other than he makes me want to practice arco even though I find it very difficult.
Dave

Originally posted by Dave Irwin
That's the big three for me. As much for their compositions as for their playing.
Don't know what to say about Meyer other than he makes me want to practice arco even though I find it very difficult.
Dave
Edgar is it, man! Mingus and Jaco are jamming upstairs now. Mingus is rumored to have once killed a man with his bass. Jaco was an electric player but he knew the upright and made his electric sound much like one. Very "woody".

As you may know, Edgar Meyer was a child prodigy virtuoso orchestral bassist before he conquered all of the other fields that he has entered. He would probably acknowledge the other two as major influences on his own style. I have met him and personally know Cornelia Heard, his wife. Edgar is one cool, wise musician. His performances are nuts, though!

Wait till Edgar's son George finishes growing up. He's eleven or twelve now. He may be king of the world someday (as a musician).

I didn't see his name anywhere, but I have to mention him........ Ralphe Armstrong.

His playing on Earl Klugh's (sp?) trio vol 1 disc is simply awesome (even if his tone is a bit thin). That disc alone should give anyone a ton of ideas about how to improve using the melody...... and I don't think his arco is too shaby either.

I used to know (can you "used to know" someone?) Earl's old bassist, Ken Lugar, and he says Earl just has a way of bringing that out in his bassists.

This week's fave: Scott LaFaro. His playing with Bill Evans KILLS!

LG, you'll probably want to take a visit to "Scott LaFaro: Beacon for Bassists"

http://www.geocities.com/chuck_ralston/08_slf.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UXxKkGQRXQ&feature=player_embedded