Singing and walking?

[rkerk]

I don't get around much anymore (which is also the title line of one of the Ellington songs I do) to see other players, so I have a question. Is a bassist doing lead vocals and 'walking' bass lines simultaniously (as needed in jazz and blues) a rarity, or common place?

Thanks

 

[hartke20g]

it's pretty common, and not just in jazz, but in any type of music (provided the bassist in question has good lines and sings). even i do that in my band. also, there are a lot of lines that aren't neccesarily walking lines, but they do move around a lot.

 

[NickyBass]

In jazz, that would be rare. I know people sing along to their solos, but never the head. In rock and blues music, I'd say it's very common.

 

[fretless Bob]

a guy i know and see gig a lot as he plays just down the road from me will play freltess bass and do lead vocals to all sort of songs, some of my favourites that his trio does are "Moondance" and "give me the night", both with a scat solo


Dave