Oldest electric bass recording currently available?

[nolaguy]

That 1956 Lionel Hampton clip IS AMAZING!

This is an era that is mysterious and new to me. It seems like a weird, exciting, and obscure time in music. Post-big band, pre-rock and roll, a lot of hybridization going on, the technological changes in amplification and recording, small combo jazz, hillbilly boogie, the Fender bass...

MORE!

According to Quincy Jones, who played trumpet in Hampton's band in the early 50s, the group was admixture of old big band swing players and younger Charlie Parker influenced players. Add to that, Hampton made his bassists use the Fender bass because he could hear it better. Sometimes he had two drummers as well.

 

[Aaron72]

Here’s a contender…Don Reno and Red Smiley, Talk of the Town. Recorded January 1953, Tommy Faile on electric bass.

 

[Aaron72]

Talk of the Town, by Don Reno and Red Smiley. Tommy Faile on electric bass. Recorded in January 1952. A bluegrass recording, no less.

 

[HvyBlvy]

Here’s a contender…Don Reno and Red Smiley, Talk of the Town. Recorded January 1953, Tommy Faile on electric bass.

Oh man I love it! The irony! First electric bass record goes to a bluegrass band. Good stuff Aaron72.