Joe Pass Style Bass

Duuuuuuuuuude · #1 10-12-2010, 06:34 PM

Are there any bass players known for playing a Joe Pass style on the bass? Y'know walking and playing chords at the same time like in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcUhJbkTwDc

bottomend! · #2 10-12-2010, 07:24 PM

Todd Johnson.

Bernie Connors · #3 10-12-2010, 07:26 PM

Yeah, there are some cats out there that do it great and one of them is Scott Pazera. I was talking to him about this very thing one day and he mentioned Joe Pass as an inspiration for him in that style. So when I read this thread title, I knew just who to lead you to.

Check it out in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf58ZMO5RfY

I think that's about as good of an example as you can find for that style of playing. Everyone that I talk to about Scott mentions his ability to comp and play bass at the same time.

Here is an audio clip that you may dig as well. http://scottpazera.com/YouDontKnowWhatLoveIs.mp3

Will Kelly · #4 10-12-2010, 07:28 PM

The first thing that came to mind when I saw the thread title was Niels Henning Orsted Pederson! I see thats not what you're looking for.

tgrant · #5 10-12-2010, 07:52 PM

I went to a concert with Gerald Veasley and a guitar player named Jimmy Bruno. But, he was playing bass lines with chords almost the entire night on his 6-string bass. I never found any recordings of him playing that way which is dissapointing because it was so amazing. I bought the CD that Jimmy was promoting at that time but, although it was great in it's own right, it did not sound anything like what they played in the concert that night. There were a few people recording the concert that night. It would be neat to find someone who had a recording of that concert. The venue is a place called "the theater" in Washington VA (often referred to as "little washington".

robwren · #6 10-12-2010, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bottomend!

Todd Johnson.

Specifically, check out Todd's playing with the Ron Eschete trio. There is some live video on YouTube that is pretty good audio quality but so-so video quality at http://www.youtube.com/user/RonEschete. There's a pretty good "live in the studio" style DVD of that trio here http://carterscps.com/roneschet.cfm. Todd doesn't have any actual teaching material available on this exact subject *yet*, but he does teach via Skype. Visit his forum here on TB for more info...

Ed Fuqua · #7 10-12-2010, 11:13 PM

And Mike Dimin too...

KJung · #8 10-13-2010, 06:52 AM

While not really my thing (playing guitar on bass), two of the masters are:

- Matt Garrison
- Dominique Di Piazza (simply amazing 'flamenco' style playing... check out his work with John McLaughlin on 'Que Alegria' and also his recent solo CD).

Also, Anthony Jackson's solo on the 'Calle 54' DVD with Michel Camilo might be the pinnacle of this style of playing. I laugh every time I see/hear that... simply mind blowing.

JimmyM · #9 10-13-2010, 11:28 AM

jeff berlin is a big chord/walking guy, too.

Mike Dimin · #10 10-13-2010, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuuuude

Are there any bass players known for playing a Joe Pass style on the bass? Y'know walking and playing chords at the same time like in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcUhJbkTwDc

I actually wrote the book on it:
The Art of Solo bass (Mel Bay)

check out:
my youtube page or some of the videos that I do in support of my lesson column in Bass Guitar Magazine

Mike Dimin

JimmyM · #11 10-13-2010, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Dimin

I actually wrote the book on it:
The Art of Solo bass (Mel Bay)

check out:
my youtube page or some of the videos that I do in support of my lesson column in Bass Guitar Magazine

Mike Dimin

+1. mike is quite the inventive chordal player and well worth checking out.

plangentmusic · #12 10-13-2010, 06:29 PM

There was a guy a few years back -- CHristian something. He walked lines with his left hand and played melodies and solos with his right hand. Blazing technique. He went nowhere.

I think chord/melody has its place. Berlin and Jackson are masters. Ultimately, it has little to do with the job of a bass player, though it never hurts to step beyond the norm and learn more on the instrument.

Here's a little example of me playing Yesterday as a solo piece.

http://www.reverbnation.com/#/nelsonmontana

Mike Dimin · #13 10-13-2010, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plangentmusic

There was a guy a few years back -- CHristian something. He walked lines with his left hand and played melodies and solos with his right hand. Blazing technique. He went nowhere.

I think chord/melody has its place. Berlin and Jackson are masters. Ultimately, it has little to do with the job of a bass player, though it never hurts to step beyond the norm and learn more on the instrument.

Here's a little example of me playing Yesterday as a solo piece.

http://www.reverbnation.com/#/nelsonmontana

I have a version of Yesterday, as well. I was going to put it in the Art of Solo Bass, unfortunately Mel Bay could not get the rights to Beatle songs

plangentmusic · #14 10-14-2010, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Dimin

I have a version of Yesterday, as well. I was going to put it in the Art of Solo Bass, unfortunately Mel Bay could not get the rights to Beatle songs

I'd like to hear it! I did mine long before I realized a lot of other guys have done the same!

It's always interesting to hear different takes. I think it says a lot about where the musician is coming from.

Mike Dimin · #15 10-14-2010, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plangentmusic

I'd like to hear it! I did mine long before I realized a lot of other guys have done the same!

It's always interesting to hear different takes. I think it says a lot about where the musician is coming from.

I'll have to find a my recording of it. If not, I'll re-record it

jim777 · #16 10-14-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgrant

I went to a concert with Gerald Veasley and a guitar player named Jimmy Bruno. But, he was playing bass lines with chords almost the entire night on his 6-string bass. I never found any recordings of him playing that way which is dissapointing because it was so amazing. I bought the CD that Jimmy was promoting at that time but, although it was great in it's own right, it did not sound anything like what they played in the concert that night. There were a few people recording the concert that night. It would be neat to find someone who had a recording of that concert. The venue is a place called "the theater" in Washington VA (often referred to as "little washington".

Jimmy was always considered Joe Pass' heir apparent on jazz guitar. A real nice guy, too.

joshmat · #17 10-14-2010, 10:40 AM

Not a bassist, per se, but Charlie Hunter does this type of thing very well. IMO, Charlie is the king of comping with himself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWyiezH8KGo