The History of Jazz Bass (in 15 Choruses)

[@clcortelyou]

At 58 years old, I realize how fortunate I am that my high school music teacher, who was also my first bass instructor, introduced me to the work all of those you played, from Pettiford to Pattituci. And I grew up in Scott LaFaro's hometown of Geneva, NY, where there is a street named for him outside the Smith Opera House.

[@mananaadamia1657]

*LaFaro

[@dbone1110]

LaFaro Forever❤❤

[@pdbass]

There are several negative comments addressing the fact that the great Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen was somehow left off of this list. Firstly, please read the disclaimer in the description. Secondly, the great NHØP should be in everyone's top 10 Jazz Bassist list. However, a) this is NOT a "best of" list and b) he played with such a singular style and (3-fingered) technique, that I found it impossible to reproduce to my own personal standards to be included in this video. Thank you for watching and again--please read the description before you start a comment about who got left out.

[@darindjking7463]

Fair enough...but why not try checking out what NHØP's left hand was up to rather than being bothered buy his right hand...his scalular ideas and fluency rival anyone of the players you mentioned and his intonation along with it was flawless...listen again..just include a clip of him at least...and Cecile and Miraslav..

[@pdbass]

@@darindjking7463 please read the DISCLAIMER IN THE DESCRIPTION. Thank you.

[@darindjking7463]

I did...now read my reply...I've been playing bass 51years and I'm still not afraid to learn...nor to be taught..I respect what you said, your level of skill...but history is history...and complete factual history is the most helpful...you're an awesome player by the way...all the pioneers would be proud and flattered...even NHOP...R.I.P.

[@molaub]

Right on!. Although the same can go to Eddie Gomez and Jaco...Only Love!

[@carloalbertorassaval3275]

@@darindjking7463 : Happy new year

[@marcusvann8368]

I have never, ever commented on a youtube video. That''s 15 or so years of just kicking back and watching. As a bass player, and an aficionado of bass history, you moved me so much with this video that I had to write something. Take care, watch health, and keep bringing these top-tier vids.

[@pdbass]

Thank you! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@octaviososa4857]

Where can I buy a beginner bass by any chance what brands are good

[@lougaru2445]

It's sad that so many died young. Aside from the outstanding playing, the focus on history is special.

[@Holygiant]

The Paul Chambers and Scott LaFaro parts went so hard

[@tim.honiss]

This is fantastic! I'd love to hear a version for electric bass too

[@pdbass]

Hmmmm. That might be a good idea!

[@yairsharon7197]

@@pdbass you gotta talk about jaco!

[@pdbass]

@@yairsharon7197 there are a couple of vids on my channel where I talk about him. Dig this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnLQmqVqZd6oa9U OR this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4qvp2aXZ7xmjJo

[@yairsharon7197]

@@pdbass i'll check them out!

[@Kinda___Happy]

That would be killer!

[@-303-]

I was fortunate enough to be a (mediocre) jazz (piano) student at William Paterson College in NJ back in the '90s at a time Rufus Reid ran the jazz program. I am so grateful to have seen him play so much over those few years. Those times when he was playing bass when I was playing piano (juries, tests, the audition, etc.) it felt like being lifted and propelled and pulled by this magic force. He was and probably still is just the kindest, most patient, nurturing soul, and the buoyancy of his tone and groove reflect that. I haven't played in a jazz combo since college and my musical preferences have drifted somewhat from this style of jazz, but I still find it pretty easy to hear when Rufus is playing on a side, and it takes so little time to know it's him. Thanks for including a chorus of you playing in his style.

[@gdbrabenec]

What a wonderful tribute. Never met him but I got a chance to talk briefly with Dexter Gordon once representing my college newspaper and he was such a gentleman, took my question and ran with it!

[@nicholastotoro7721]

Mingus, Haden and Patitucci were the ones I particularly listened to and said “Yep… “ 🤣

[@alexweibel7807]

The Mingus and Charlie Haden choruses were BAD! Love checking out how the different players would approach the same thing, really great stuff as usual PT

[@goobert2469]

I don’t think they were that terrible tbf

[@zhaolinzhou6574]

@@goobert2469 maybe you should check out the jazz slang video on this channel bro

[@luiszuluaga6575]

I’m a drummer and I totally appreciate the demonstration as well as the love and commitment you have to your inner music.

[@bassocanario]

Phenomenal. You studied these great players so thoroughly that you sound like YOU,channeling their influences/musical idiosyncracies... It takes YEARS of devoted study and listening and basic b-flat-shedding to dial that stuff in...Maaaaan...Amazing and inspiring. Just keep doing what you're doing! And thanks, again!!

[@bladdnun3016]

Would've expected the occasional 'oh yeah!' with the Mingus impression.

[@terrymiller111]

The vibrato on that "Rufus Reid" solo was very nice.

[@Markperna1]

You absolutely nailed the Stanley vibrato. Great work all around!

[@ChopBassMan]

I can't think of anyone who could do such a complete recounting of jazz bass history in under an hour (I've been a jazz bassist (6 string fretless electric for the past 30+ years) for around 40 years now.

[@sidneype7738]

Paul, I'm a little late to this one, but the thing that struck me the most about a lot of these players is how young they were when they passed. Such a shame.

[@pittsburghbassists9885]

I think you’ve made a new standard required viewing video for all Bass instructors for their students. Excellent!!!

[@slateman118]

best bass channel on youtube! great list, some of my other favorites include dave holland, sam jones, richard davis, gary peacock, cecil mcbee, buster williams, wilbur ware, israel crosby, larry grenadier, steve swallow, jaco, miroslav vitous, leroy vinegar, bob cranshaw, jimmy garrison, butch warren, and many more

[@markcenci8000]

Yes! And Eddie Gomez!

[@bustabass9025]

...Doug Watkins, Reggie Workman, Ray Brown, Butch Warren, Jymie Merritt...

[@crieverytim]

Lot of names I'm unfamiliar w. Going to have to change that!

[@mickymondo7463]

Pops Foster was a very good friend and mentor of my late father who died last year. When Pops toured in Britain with Jimmy Archey, he borrowed my father Bass, both he and Jimmy carved "Good luck to Bill, Pops Foster & Jimmy Archey" sadly the Bass was smashed when a band wagon overturned some years later, the autographed section survived and has been on the mantlepiece ever since.

[@kotarolu0931]

This video is decided as the best one i saw and will see in 2023.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci beaucoup for this. What struck me was how many died so young. I wasn't a musician for most of my life, and am making up for lost time since my retirement with a piano. So my left hand has me searching out stuff to do, which leads me to videos like this. It would be interesting to see some of the back story on some of these players. BTW I hope to have my video on exercises for the pianist to do...and any other musician, to help with back pain but also how to help the shoulders and arms, hands. Very good for finger strength. Stay tuned.

[@frankfrank7921]

Masterful. Had the pleasure of seeing Ray Brown and Rufus Reid live back in the 70s. Speaking of masterful, I hope every bass player checks out the duets that Duke Ellington and Jimmie Blanton recorded in the early 1940s. Actually, beyond masterful.

[@BessieBopOrBach]

OK, this is INCREDIBLE. To a degree it's "easy" to evoke Pops Foster or Walter Page but the way you imitate Charlie Haden and especially Christian McBride took my breath away. I could recognize them by the second note. Bravo! Subscribing.

[@formerastronaut]

You really got that Stanley Clarke weird vibrato thing perfect.

[@lucas_d]

I really dig your channel! I’ve never played a double bass but man I respect your talent. I hope everyone has a fantastic 2023 😎🎸

[@pdbass]

THANK YOU!!

[@WalterDiamond]

A history lesson in 7 minutes. This would be one hell of a great series. Thanks so much for this!

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

Excellent! It would be awesome to see a "Making of" -talking about your process in incorporating the unique elements of each example. I'll confess I wasn't familiar with "Slam Stewart, so I was expecting a bowed example for Paul Chambers. I know you could not have included EVERYONE but I would have loved to see you applying NHOP's approach in that mix.

[@thefunkexcursionon]

Astounding- I’ve not seen a better feat of musical ability OR a more insightful post anywhere on KZbin. Can’t even express how good this is!!🔥🔥🔥

[@bustan44]

Dude, you're out of control. This was amazing.

[@josemarquescarrico1307]

The bass is the soul of jazz! Fantastic history of jazz class!

[@jazzpunk]

Fantastic tone...and you make it look easy! Things went up a notch with Blanton. Don't know how you did it...the actual 'sound' (tone?) of the Mingus chorus was Mingus. Cool stuff!

[@stephencoxbass]

Wow, this is great! I love how much your right hand changes to imitate the different players tones and not just their note choices. Wonderful work on this!

[@dr.soupcan]

I'm so glad for this video, I'm doing a bunch of college studies for Music (Focused on Education and Jazz), and me being a Bass Player, This opened up a gateway to expand my repertoire, no longer stuck only knowing just Paul Chambers and Charles Mingus. Thank you, good sir.

[@lxxwj]

honestly you could do pretty well with just PC and mingus lol

[@judih.8754]

A great lesson Paul. And wow, we lost some of these musicians so young!

[@mananaadamia1657]

Some of them died because of themself

[@andrewbarrett1537]

I know this isn’t meant to be a definitive list, but it’s worthwhile hearing Bill Johnson in 1928 with the Dixie Four (James Blythe and Clarence Johnson on duo pianos; Johnson on bass and Cliff “Snags” Jones on drums). They made four sides: “Five O’Clock Stomp”, “Kentucky Stomp”, “Southside Stomp” and “St Louis Man”. All great. Bass and drums are more prominently recorded on this and audible than on many other 20s records. Also around the same time, James Blythe recorded a couple of piano trios with Bill Johnson on bass and probably Cliff Jones on drums again: “Shake Your Shimmy” and “Bull Fiddle Rag”, although for some reason discographies list “William Lyle” as the bassist and Jimmy Bertrand as drummer on that session, I’m not sure why. (They also list Buddy Burton as the 2nd pianist on the Dixie Four sides but it is manifestly not and is Clarence Johnson in my opinion). Anyway, 6 sides from the late 20s worth hearing with nice bass playing! These sides are also sort of “party records”. Bill Johnson yells encouragement at all the musicians frequently throughout each of these 6 recordings.

[@josephromano7867]

So many styles and all great each one had his one funk to his style I love it thank you Paul!!!!

[@trevorgrenon9162]

16th Chorus worthy to be played by yourself, Paul. Fantastic video, inspiring so many options and voices available on 4 strings. Happy New Year to you, Sir

[@brandonthebass]

Yo!!!! This is so great. I laughed out loud at the Charlie Haden and Stanley Clarke, that was the perfect rendition of the typical sound and rhythms they use. And I love by the time we get to Patitucci and McBride it starts to sound like Pettiford and Brown again. The history is in the music!!! Thanks so much for doing this. Definitely a giant inspiration. Happy New Year!

[@mananaadamia1657]

You know better, then even myself, because I have never listened to free jazz recordings, and more with CH ,so I can't to know, what rhythm and notes he used

[@omnacky]

5:31 interesting how he catches his breath between the phrases like he's really using his voice

[@sergiocolmenares9482]

It cannot imagine the amount of bass wisdom that's required to pull-off this video. Jazz isn't my strongest field but I enjoyed every second of it. Congratulations.

[@Walter-ip9zu]

Stanley Clarke was an absolute beast

[@froml.a.1760]

*IS …. it’s odd why they have his image smaller than certain people he’s way more influential than, accomplished than and better than (including being virtuoso on accoustic & electric)

[@WesleyWattley-xy4fg]

​@@froml.a.1760still is?

[@patrickmcmullen752]

Fantastic. A great story in 15 choruses. Great content as always. Thank you PDbass.

[@ibassnote]

This made me smile start to finish. Wanted to hear Blanton represented slightly different but hey, great job.

[@IamUncledeuce]

Listening to that and thinking back to my days of humpin' a dog house on the metro to club dates... reminds me of why I went electric fretless 30+ years ago. Phenomenal and thanks for the memories!

[@slickingdom]

I actually play drumset but I love watching your videos!! It enlightens me on how bassists think and approach their instrument. Then there’s always an underlying music history lesson intertwined. Great work!! ❤

[@rillloudmother]

very nice arco tone on the slam stewart section! history by way of musical example is very jazz imho.

[@philprice5712]

Well, you finally did it. You been trolling that bass bait with all the modern bits for a long time. Now you set the hook permanently with this little history tour. Well done! Thank you and happy new year!

[@jazzbasstranscriptions]

I can't tell you how wonderful you are!! Thank you so much!

[@bowankim4185]

You just played what I imagined those bassist's. Great !

[@mrmogensen]

Can you please do some videos on some Jean Luc Ponty tunes? He writes the grooviest basslines and always has top tier players performing them."Give Us a Chance" has one of the grooviest bass performances I ever heard and no one ever talks about it!

[@DoghouseFunkBlaster65]

Absolutely Beautiful!! Thank you for this wonderful homage to these great giants who inspire great possibilities in all of us. 🙏❤

[@jmarcguy]

This is so badass!! Amazing video! 🎼 To go from Jimmy Blanton to Charlie Haden is beyond impressive. Also, Ron Carter has been jamming a LONG time!

[@clarencejones2397]

Man you got it bro, the lingo, musical verbalities, adverbs adjectives, pronouns, the proper diction and everything that you would want to be a soloist. I appreciate you

[@andymassingham]

Tears to the eyes…beautiful. You are a sublime artist. I’d say more but I’m too emotional❤

[@timhays332]

As they say in the film business, don't say it - show it. Well done, always interesting to see who's gonna be included when you get close to the present day. Yeah, I'm a upright jazz player w 40 years of playing. I love what you did here!

[@DrJohn123]

Finally, double bass again,yeah! I'm speechless, the imitations are done so well!!! Love that you included Slam Stewart!

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

I am not a musician. I have learned nothing about playing the big bass. But hoo boy, that was excellent! The camera position and angle couldn't be better for showing your fingers at work, and that was the first delight. Second was the sheer variety of styles. Third was ... you! Joy, focus, dedication, of course I subscribed. Don't know why youtube picked this video to show me, but sometimes even youtube gets things right.

[@jondigiulian6652]

Incredible Paul, I could listen to you play the blues all day!

[@Oscaraha]

Incredible! This gave me goose bumps and tears in my eyes. There is just something magical that happens when you experience others love for the same thing, thank you!

[@AlexaMorales]

Wow, great, compelling, fun to watch and listen to all those bass styles!

[@dr.garynelson4687]

And nothing else needs to be said. Excellent video!😁

[@PharaohLawLess1]

That’s what I call paying homage, professor

[@1mespud]

Thank you pdbass for reminding us of all these Jazz Bass greats for doing their part to help tame and save mankind with their genius, gift, skill, talent and showing us how it's supposed to be done.

[@billyrhythm]

You Slam impression was right on the dough-rooni.

[@jazzl7190]

Masterful playing! I remember working on Blues in the Closet. Scott LoFaro gone too soon. Thanks for this.

[@jimmyjazz78]

Nice! This was no easy feat to improvise in the styles of those players. I would love to hear the walking counterpoint to this.

[@rayrestless]

This is beautiful... simply beautiful

[@simontinguely862]

I find it so cool that you decided to show the evolution of phrasing and bassists through a blues, it reminds me of how intricate jazz and blues are. Great playing, great video :)

[@alexsf4248]

Very cool! Thank you for including Slam Stewart, as a young child in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, watching him leading his band in old Hollywood movies was my first introduction to the upright bass! To this day playing with the bow is a very important aspect to my enjoyment of the instrument. Also even though Stanley Clarke became a household name due to the electric bass and Jazz Fusion listening to his upright bass solo piece on his second album self titled, Spanish Phases for Strings and Bass simply changed my life for it’s virtuosity!

[@basslinematters]

Great idea and impressive playing. I was also shocked by how many of them died at a young age

[@nathanharman5398]

This is some of your best work yet (and that's saying something!) brilliant work Mr Thompson!

[@hewie2u]

I will add Milton " The Judge " Hinton and Quincy " Major " Holly to this list . They deserve it . Nice tribute well done .

[@janubbelohdehenningsen4190]

Simply: Wow! Fantastic, I started playing double bass 4 years ago (I'm 52 and played guitar for 40 years) and this is the perfect motivation to keep me studying. I've listened to all these Masters since I was 12, and you ayed them from the heart!

[@amyoung101]

I was as a simple bass player. This happened because when I was in elementary school they had no clarinet available when I was in elementary school so I chose the trumpet because it sounded like “smorfete” from the cartoon 😂 I ended up playing the trumpet, baritone silver with five keys, trombone, tuba and cymbals when marching band didn’t have enough.

[@BuddhaBites]

I smiled the whole time. What skill, creativity and scholarship. Bravo!

[@IandiBoats]

This gets a standing ovation. My favorite new thing on KZbin. I love your interpretation of Walter Paig Slam Stewart. Those nimble fingers of Charles Mingus and Charlie Haden's pronounced style. My Maryland homeboy C McBride all splendid. Thank you for this.

[@Foodgeek]

Love it! As a Dane, I think you were missing NHØP, though :)

[@cashmoneygerman3332]

This is so great! The cats in more familiar with we’re spot on. Your Ray Brown and McBride sounded perfect!

[@mikebassy]

This is brilliant , you are playing great and the bass is recording really nicely. Now get a pianist and drummer and make a classic trio recording. You have your fans like me and I want to buy that album/ cd now mate . Really liked the Stanley Clarke bit

[@JamesSpeiser]

Way to take us to school for real Sir Maestro. Much love and respect. The Rufus Reid knocked me out the most but all so stellar. Hot damn

[@EthanHein]

Your channel is one of the best music education resources on the web, it just stays winning!

[@terrymiller111]

Emulating the different playing styles is awesome. This is actually masterful.

[@indiodojazz6751]

Congratulations for your initiative! We must of more bassist. In Brazil unfortunately there are no more bassist on jazz.

[@OlandoMcCall]

I'll say it again THE best bass channel on KZbin!

[@mdturnerinoz]

REALLY NICE, MAN!!!! I follow Ron on Instagram; what a cool guy, too, what with his Rick Beato interview! So many died too damn young! NICE MAN, THANKS! And, well, um... you ain't no damn slouch either! Bravo!!!!!!

[@malachiyahhillual9680]

That was 🔥 sir! 😊 thoroughly enjoyed!! Hard grinning here!

[@Fretlessness]

Wow really cool Slam Stewart impression! Paul Chambers too! Love how hard you had to close yer eyes to channel Jack Black's father in law

[@Fretlessness]

That's what I get for commenting before the video is done, great Stanley Clarke too! How was trying to summon these guys all on the same bas when dudes like Stanley use roundwounds? That'd be an insane video to do the same but change strings to each player's preference lol

[@TheBassfresh]

a master class in under 7 minutes...wow!

[@cbug4196]

Absolutely awesome! Fingers got sore just watching!😅

[@planetpjr]

The smokin' cat in this video goes on the list too.

[@liamcashin2924]

the last phrase you played for mingus' chorus was sweet

[@zambezi-sv1ed]

I think my head just exploded... 🥰🤯

[@marioguarini]

very good Paul you nailed it on this one really well played and show how much well you know the roots of the doghouse, kudos

[@brianj4090]

Great work I’m not historian but i could hear a lot of the bassists I’m familiar with. Some favs were chambers, lafaro, Mingus, Carter and haden

[@RobMLyon]

All amazing players, I know you could add a lot more but would have loved to see Gomez in this list

[@christianog]

Amazing, I’m glad this appeared on my recommended

[@Jazz313]

Keep sharing….So many great players. Norway is where fresh jazz is coming to this Amazing art form. Enjoying ❤

[@bassislife-trh]

So great! Now I need to go listen to some Slam Stewart because that just put the biggest smile on my face

[@chasmonaghan521]

I swear I thought the first tune was about to be blister in the sun…😅 love them all, but Mingus and Niels are definitely my favorites…cool video! ❤ thanks!

[@paulcox4692]

Wow!! Capturing all that different style is just incredible. Great, great video!