Breaking into Jazz
laceydew2 -- Mon, 08/04/2008 - 14:20
I used to mess around with a cheap bass a couple of years ago and now I'm thinking about getting serious about it. I heard Marcus Miller's album with Blast on it and I was blown away by it. I'm looking for other names with the same sort of sound but I don't really know where to start looking. Any pointers?
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Have you explored Stanley Clarke?
CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC
Ray Brown has some sonically killer disks.
He is old school, however...but I like old school. 8)
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
While not strictly "jazz," I cannot recommend bassist/singer/poet Me'shell NdegeOcello's work enough. Miller has actually collaborated with her as well. "Peace Beyond Passion," "Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape" and "Comfort Woman" are incredible.
Bob Gendron
Music Editor, TAS and Playback
laceydew2,
I'm a serious Marcus Miller fan, too. If you like Miller's slap'n'pop style playing, I would particularly recommend that you check out early Stanley Clarke (most bassists would say Larry Graham invented slap style playing, but I think Clarke unquestionably perfected it). Check out Stanley Clarke's eponymous Stanley Clarke, School Days, and If This Bass Could Only Talk.
Some other electric bass virtuosos to check out:
>>Victor Wooten: Check out Live In America, which features a remarkable (and instructive) side-by-side performance from Miller and Wooten. Also great fun are the records A Show of Hands and What Did He Say. Wooten has an earthier, but no less articulate, sound than Miller.
>>Stuart Hamm: Check out Radio Free Albemuth and Kings of Sleep. Hamm is a chameleon, as you'll discover, who can mimic/integrate the styles of many master bassists.
>>Jeff Berlin: Check out Berlin's own Pump It and his performance on Bill Bruford's Gradually Going Tornado. One of the high points in Pump It is Berlin's take on the Cream version of "Crossroads". On "Crossroads," Berlin actually manages to play both Eric Clapton's guitar part and Jack Bruce's bass part. Wow.
Two stunning fretless electric bass masters are the following:
>>Michael Manring: Personal favorites are Toward the Center of the Night, Drastic Measures, and--if you're in the mood for somewhat over-the-top metal-inflected jazz--Thonk. From a technical standpoint, Manring might be the most accomplished fretless player ever. One cool feature of Toward the Center of the Night is that it provides liner notes that indicate occasions where Manring played some almost impossibly difficult tracks in one take, with no overdubs. Cool.
>>Jaco Pastorius: Just find Jaco's eponymous debut album, listen to it, and then let reflect on the fact that the album was made many decades ago. Jaco was a true musical giant who left us much too soon. For a fascinating treat, also listen to Pastorius' playing on Joni Mitchell's live album Shadows & Light. Unlike many virtuosos, Pastorius is not only a fine soloist but perhaps an even better accompanist/collaborator, as his work with Mitchell demonstrates.
Enjoy. Let us know how these work out for you. I've got many more bass players to recommend, but didn't want to swamp you with inputs right off the bat.
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
You guys might be interested to hear about a tour/cd that's in the works featuring Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, & Victor Wooten!! If this record doesn't give your woofers a work out nothing will!!;)
Eddie Gomez on Chick Corea's Three Quartet's and Stanley Clarke on Chick Corea's Romantic Warrior.
touchstone custom tweeter surrounds- www.diffractionbegone.com
Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers at Keystone 3 (Concord Jazz). Sparkling clean, live jazz recording where every note can be distinctly heard even in the ensemble playing. Go directly to "Ala Mode" and turn it up. You've never heard of the bass player but you'll want to hear him light this superb group of players' ass UP! His tone and timbre and driving enthusiasm are irrepressible and help make this one of Blakey's best efforts. And if you don't know, that's sayin somethin.
touchstone custom tweeter surrounds- www.diffractionbegone.com
Jim, The player w/ Blakey on 'Keystone 3' was Charles Fambrough - quite a famous name in jazz.
Jaco Pastorius was my favourite. I still miss him badly. You should listen to all the Marcus Miller albums as he is great value and just as good live. Another bass player you might like is Brian Bromberg. His tribute to Pastorius, 'Jaco' is well worth a listen. From what you say you may well like the 'fusion' types of jazz. Mahavisnu Orchestra and Weather Report are worth a listen as is Return to Forever and Herbie Hancocks sextet (Crossings) and later quintet. Miles Davis from 1970 to the end where he collaborated with Marcus Miller should be your most important listen. Have fun
Stanley Jordan
You probably meant Stanley Clarke. Stanley Jordan is the guitarist who pioneered the two-hands-on-the-neck style.
You probably meant Stanley Clarke. Stanley Jordan is the guitarist who pioneered the two-hands-on-the-neck style.
S.M.V Thunder
I think the bass player you'd like best is Brian Bromberg. Check out his CDs 'Hands' and 'Wood'. he does amazing things on solo acoustic bass. Stanley Clarke is another good call. And for 'something completely different', check out Renaud Grarcia-Fons. He plays a 5-string bass, and can make it sound like flamenco guitar or violin. Amazing technique, especially with the bow. Check out his CD/DVD combo, 'Arco', and make sure to watch the DVD. You'll want to SEE how he's doing what he does.
As for MY favorites... Scott Lafaro, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen, Eddie Gomez, Ray Brown, Christian McBride, Marc Johnson
LOL - I just realized I've named all bass players from the Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson Trios (except Christian McBride). No mistake there - Bill & OP always picked virtuoso bassists.
OOPS! I forgot John Clayton (of Clayton Bros. & Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra)
... and I forget to recommend 'Super Bass' and (even better!) 'Super Bass 2'. Super Bass was a band comprised of 3 great bass players - Ray Brown, Christian McBride, and John Clayton. A TON of talent on that stage,and their music is lots of fun.
OOPS! I forgot John Clayton (of Clayton Bros. & Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra)
... and I forget to recommend 'Super Bass' and (even better!) 'Super Bass 2'. Super Bass was a band comprised of 3 great bass players - Ray Brown, Christian McBride, and John Clayton. A TON of talent on that stage,and their music is lots of fun.