Basic but essential solos

I would recommend checking out Paul Chambers. His solos are usually fairly straight-forward. I did his solos on Blue Train off of John Coltrane's Blue Train album and Blues by Five off of one of Miles workin' steamin' - can't remember which one.

 

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Then there are two of us! I love his playing.

For good "basic" solos, I think Slam Stewart can't be beat. He bows and sings, which means his ideas are very clearly recorded; and you can just as easily learn the solos and play them pizz if you don't want to do the arco thing.

Also, a lot of Oscar Pettiford's stuff is short and to the point (and, it should be said, a lot of it is extended and very difficult!). You could check out Volker Nahrmann's book of OP transcriptions and track down the recordings to learn them with. That's a great thing for anyone to do at any point in their career, actually.

 

Not to be ignored- horn solos can really open your ears up to different ideas. Trumpet solos are a great place to start, especially early Chet Baker and Early Miles.

Having a common vocab with horn players/ pianists can really get you kudos on a gig...

 

A great place to start, if your ear isn't as quick as you'd like it to be (like mine) is Todd Coolman's 'The Bass Tradition' book. 36 transcribed solos and discography of where to get those solos. First solo is Jimmie Blanton's duet with Duke Ellington on 'Body And Soul'. Also has some grooves and walking lines - like Ray Brown on Quincy Jones' 'Killer Joe'.

 

The older and more experienced I get, the more I love Wilbur Ware. When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was sound Like Scott LaFaro. I completely missed out on cats like Wilbur, because I thought they sounded too primative. Check him out on Sonny Rollins Live at the Village Vanguard. I think he was more of an ear player, but he's doing all of the right stuff. Simple sounding, but if you analyze it, very sophisticated.

 

When I transitioned from electric to upright, I listened to a lot of Ray Brown. One of the best albums at that time: We Get Requests.

 

ISRAEL CROSBY!!!!

 

I can't believe that one of the first bassists mentioned wasn't Oscar Pettiford. He's very accessable. His ideas are very melodic, and he swings. I suggest starting with the sides he recorded with Lucky Thompson. The instrumentation is guitar, bass and tenor sax, so the recordings are very clear. Tricrotism is a great place to start.

 

Wilbur Ware's solo on "Softly.." from Sonny Rollins Live at Village Vanguard is for me a tremendous place to start. It's a model example of technical simplicity meeting sophiticated rhythmical ideas and motifs, all executed with tremendous feeling and musicality.

 

I find Mingus a true inspiration when putting my own soloing in place,but please check out Dan from the ESbjorn SVensson Trio.I am still trying to get my hands on some dots for these guys.

 

Slam Stewart was always so lyrical and tasty, but never blowing crazy chops or anything. Might dig him (first guy to scat and solo, I believe)

 

Here's a tasty string of musical moments that is not too hard to finger: Paul Chamber's solo on "Teenie's Blues" (Blues and the Abstract Truth, Oliver Nelson)...

 

First, how did you get the ship gig? Second, you should check out Chuck Bergeron's solos on his album (he's got some other great players on it); he's got great time, arrangements kick ass, and he sounds awesome on some pieces that feature his bass prominently.