Bassist for Chicago on Public television

I believe Chicago's bassist is Peter Cetera. My favorite Chicago bassline is "Street Player". Peace.

 

I don't think Cetera's been in the band for awhile, unless he rejoined. Isn't their current guy Jason Scheff (son of Jerry Scheff)?

 

I'm with you, Richard; as far as I know, Jason Scheff is the bassist for Chicago(he's been in the band longer than Cetera...Cetera hasn't been in the band for, what, 20 years?).

Both are very, very good players.

FWIW, Chicago just played here last week; I asked some friends who attended & couldn't get an answer about who played bass.

 

It's Jason Scheff. He's been with the band since 1986.

 

Chicagos bassist for the last 17 years has been Jason Scheff.

 

Yep. He's a very good player and singer! I still can't get over a video I saw way back when where he's wearing a long black leather trenchcoat playing his bass singing a ballad! So 80's!

 

I'm a big Chicago fan but like the music so much I seldom analyze what the bass or any instrument is doing. (This is the ultimate compliment for any work of art).

Anyway, I was listening to my favorite Chicago album, Night and Day, and was stunned by Jason's bass playing. During the fadeouts he and drummer Tris Imboden get wilder and wilder each time. I kept re-playing a few fade-outs in awe of their chops.

Wild licks aside, I have been impressed at Jason's musical sensibilities in holding down the bottom end on the records he has made: Always tasteful, always supportive, never overplaying.

Oh yeah, he is also a great tenor singer as well!

Sadly, I have never seen a music magazine article on Jason, which is damn shame. He deserves the recognition as a skilled and successful musician

 

Let's not forget Cetera played a fretless bass and sang lead on some of Chicago's material. I might've been high as a kite at the time, but he sure seemed as good as anyone I'd ever seen live in concert!

 

Doc, you've gotta post that pic of you playing on the beach in 72 or whatever... classic!

I love all that old Chicago stuff with Cetera and Terry Kath.

 

Chicago's bassist/tenor singer is Jason Scheff and the guitarist is Keith Howland.

As you can probably tell from my 'screen name' I am a huge Chicago (and specifically Peter Cetera) fan.

Peter Cetera was superb in his day, a truly thoughtful bassist who held down the low end while coming up with some truly inventive and melodic lines...
He has been out of Chicago now for some 20 years and his replacement ever since is the phenomenally talented Jason Scheff. Son of Jerry Scheff (Elvis, Doors etc), he needs more props and recognition for his talent....

So, any thread like this that reminds people about the talents of Cetera and Scheff is alright with me!!

 

Hey Cetera-

How 'bout naming a few of your hidden gems?
I mean, we all know(or should know) the hits-
"Free", "Make Me Smile", "Beginnings", "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?", "Saturday In The Park", "Call On Me", etc

I'm talking about stuff like "Scrapbook" & "Skintight"(both from Chicago X) or "Brand New Love Affair, Pts. 1 & 2" & "Never Been In Love Before"(both from Chicago VIII).

More nuggets wanted!

 

Sure,
One track that immediately comes to mind is: "What's This World Comin' To" from 'Chicago VI'....

Check it out!

 

Some of the greatest Blue-Eyed Soul bass playing in music history. Think Jamerson meets McCartney with a little Dunn for fun.
Try: Dialogue- Chicago 5
In the Country- Chicago 2
Liberation- Chicago Transit Authority
Woman Don't Want to Love Me- Chicago 7

I could go on. I never tire of listening to or talking about this great band and their underated bassist, who IMHO got too much blame for ruinning the band with ballads like If You Leave Me Now, or No Tell Lover.
Can you believe they're not in the R&R Hall of Fame?
Peace

 

there is no justice in the world

 

That'll be because the RnRHOF has nothing to do with 'justice' & all to do with 'favourites & backhanders'....

 

Ya, I saw that too, great playing/singing chops, a real monster.

 

How cool would it be to have a dad that played bass for Elvis!

I agree, Jason sounds great. I've always been a big Chicago fan. The current band sound more like a very good cover band doing Chicago to me (similar to the current Earth Wind and Fire).... I think Pete Townsend described the phenomenon as 'The Who on Ice'.... when a significant percentage of the original players that defined the band's sound are no longer touring (or alive!). However, they sounded great none-the-less.

 

Chicago still has the original horn section and Robert Lamm on keys, so that's a good half of the original band. True, the main lead singer is gone, but I see no reason for them to pack it in just because he quit. They still do a good job.