Who are some of your favorite "melodic" bassists?

Red Mitchell, Neal Miner, Darek Oles, Peter Brendler, Mark Lewandowski, Peter Slavov, Rick Rosato...

 

Red Mitchell

 

My favorite is a portuguese double bassist named Carlos Bica.

One of my favorite musicians, favors space and melody. I know him personally and he's a great guy.

 

James Jamerson

 

Thanks for posting the Carlos Bica selections, @J_Bass — I really enjoyed them.

 

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!

You can check him out on Spotify on:

 

Gotta mention Edgar Meyer here, although he certainly has chops for days.

 

Miroslav Vitous, George Mraz

 

Red Mitchell. He is one of my favourite players, and played the first solo I transcribed "What Is This Thing Called Love?" From a Hampton Hawes Trio album. Very melodic and even contains a quote from "jeepers creepers". I have transcribed a few more including some from " Presenting Red Mitchell" and I recommend doing so, particularly the Hampton Hawes stuff.
George Mraz is great too, I transcribed "Confirmation" from Eclypso by Tommy Flanagan, cool solo getting round those changes.
Ray Brown is very often great, his solo on "Stella By Starlight" from Ray Brown's Walk On is particularly melodic, recorded not long before his passing showing that he remained great right up to the end and also the first solo I learnt to play on Double Bass.

 

Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez

 

I have recordings where Jay Anderson, Scott Colley, and Matt Brewer all do the thing you described in your original post.

 

Don Thompson

 

Michael Moore

 

Surprised no one has mentioned Jimmy Garrison yet.

 

+1 on Jay Anderson

Dave Holland has his good moments too.

 

Jimmy Garrison
Eddie Gomez
Jymie Merritt
Charles Mingus
James Jamerson
Miroslav Vitous

 

James Singleton might interest you. He uses the bow a lot, uses loops and effects as well.