Jazz Bassist/Composers
I’m currently doing some research for an upcoming article here on jazz bassists who have made noteworthy contributions to the music as composers. Obvious examples are Charles Mingus, Dave Holland and Jaco Pastorius, all of whom have penned significant tunes that are a permanent part of the modern jazz repertoire. I’m sticking with jazz here so I will not delve into the pop/rock songwriting category, which would have to include such bassists as Paul McCartney and Sting. I’m also going to leave out folks like Edgar Meyer (IS there anyone else like him?) – classical, folk, country, bluegrass and crossover composers. Those great bass players could be the subject of another piece.
In the meantime, my list of bassist/composers includes: Ben Allison, John Patitucci, Steve Swallow, David Friesen, Drew Gress, William Parker, Stanley Clarke… I am including electric bass players and the wide variety of genres that commonly come under the heading “jazz”.
Please add your suggestions as a comment here. I hope to have this piece done within a couple of weeks.
31 July 2007, 2:03 pm
Hi Jason,
Great idea. The thing is that virtually any bassist who has been a bandleader has also composed important music. Ron Carter, Charlie Haden, Cecil McBee, Ray Brown, Gary Peacock…the list goes on and on. I wish you luck with this project and can’t wait to see how it comes out!
Rick McLaughlin
01 August 2007, 2:43 pm
I’m actually focusing on composers who have significantly moved the language further who happen to be bass players, if that makes sense. Though they are magnificent bassists, I’m not sure that Ray Brown, Cecil McBee, Ron Carter or Gary Peacock have penned music that is either influential, substantially forward-looking or has become part of the standard rep for jazz musicians. Charlie Haden is one I hadn’t really considered until you mentioned him. I’ll have to go back and listen to the Liberation Music Orchestra and see if there are other pieces of his that I may not be aware of. Thanks for the ideas, Rick!
01 August 2007, 11:27 pm
I was doing some research on this myself. Rufus Reid is definitely one to be considered. A person on TB referred to him as a “tune writer,” but he has composed significant works for the IAJE and other commissions.
07 August 2007, 9:48 am
You should also include Dave Holland, Barry Guy, Barre Phillips, Harry Miller, Mark Dresser, Mark Helias, Michael Formanek…..
28 November 2007, 6:21 pm
Terry Plumeri is both an jazz arco virtuoso, successful orchestral composer, and orchestral conductor.
Bassists may not be aware of his freedom with improvised arco solos…he truly transcends the instrument.
His work speaks for itself (there are samples on his site):
http://www.terryplumeri.com
28 November 2007, 6:37 pm
Great point with Terry. I actually featured him on CBC podcast #14. He’s a very good player:
http://contrabassconversations.com/?p=18
25 January 2008, 11:15 am
hi Jason,
how about the fantastic Edgar Meyer?
02 June 2008, 6:06 pm
You should really really include Mark Helias and Michael Formanek.