«What’s Going On» – Marvin Gaye (Isolated Bass Track)
from “What’s Going On” (Tamla Motown 1971)
Song written by Renaldo Benson
«Little ole boy, Little Ole Girl» Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
from United (Tamla Motown 1967) Musicians
James Jameson – bass
Marvin Gaye – vocal
Tammi Terrell – vocal
The funk brothers – other instruments
Larry Gales
«Rhythm a ning» Thelonious Monk Quartet in London
from Live in London (1965) BBC Jazz 625 television broadcast from 1965. Gary’s definition of “swing” Musicians
Larry Gales – double bass
Thelonious Monk – piano
Charlie Rouse – tenor sax
Ben Riley – drums
«Raise Four» Thelonious Monk Quartet from Underground (Columbia 1968) Musicians
Larry Gales – bass
Charlie Rouse – tenor sax
Thelonious Monk – piano
Ben Riley – drums
Ray Brown
As a toddler his dad used to hold him and play him like a double bass whilst listening to Ray Brown with Oscar Peterson! As a teenager, his dad watched «Jazz at the Gateway»on TV at night, the volume so high that his son couldn’t sleep. Gary finally gave in and joined his dad and his interest in jazz began
«Jaybone» Milt Jackson & friends
from Jackson, Johnson, Brown & Company (Pablo 1983) Musicians
Ray Brown – double bass
Tom Ranier – piano
John Collins – guitar
Milt Jackson – vibraphone
JJ Johnson – trombone
Roy McCurdy – drums
Lesson with Ray Brown :
This lesson took place in April 1992 in Ray’s hotel room in Montparnasse
Advice from Ray Brown :
Work on accompaniment and practice time keeping (more than solos).
Learn standards by heart, singing the melody, in every key.
Red Mitchell
Transcription of Tony Fruscella «Simple isn’t easy» Red performed this live at the Paris New Morning club during the intermission of a Helen Merrill concert in the 1990’s Musicians
Red Mitchell – words & vocal
Tony Fruscella – trumpet
from Simple isn’t easy (Sunnyside 1983)
Jean François Jenny Clark
An extremely kind man, and demanding musically, he had 2 lessons with him in 1990, a wonderful example and inspiration for a young musician…
«Scott» Unison solo album
from Unison CMP Records 1987
Tribute to bass legend Scott LaFaro
George Mraz
«Confirmation» Tommy Flanagan trio
from Eclypso (Enja 1977) This is the bass solo that really knocked him out… Musicians
George Mraz – double bass
Tommy Flanagan – piano
Elvin Jones – drums
Thierry Barbé
His classical teacher in Paris, he always stressed the importance of good technique and of keeping an open musical mind.
«Misty» Thierry Barbé «Nomade»
from Nomade Musicians
Thierry Barbé – double bass
Karine Roze – piano
Charlie Haden
A masterclass in Bagnolet in 1989, Charlie made clear the importance of sound quality and of saying something deep with your instrument.
«Anthropology» Art Pepper Artworks
de Artworks (Artists House 1979) Musicians
Charlie Haden – double bass
Art Pepper – clarinet
Billy Higgins – drums
Reggie Workman
«Footprints»
from Wayne Shorter «Adam’s Apple» (Blue Note 1966) Musicians
Reggie Workman – double bass
Wayne Shorter – tenor saxophone
Herbie Hancock – piano
Joe Chambers – drums
Advice from Reggie Workman :
Realize how fortunate you are to be able to study.
Give yourself every opportunity to get good instrumental training.
Interest yourself in all types of music.
Paul Motian et Mark Johnson au festival de contrebasse de Capbreton en 1998
Mark Johnson
“If there is someone lovelier than you” Enrico Pieranunzi Trio
from “New Lands” (Timeless 1984) Musicians
Marc Johnson – bass
Enrico Pieranunzi – piano
Joey Baron – drums
Advice from Mark Johnson :
Try to feel time in both hands.
“Play the bow, man!”
Gary Peacock
«St Helens» Ralph Towner & Gary Peacock from «Oracle» Magnificent double bass & guitar duo
Advice from Gary Peacock :
An out of tune note has the right to exist. Don’t try and play well.
Accept what you play (even if mediocre) appreciate (love) what you spontaneously improvise.
Pierre Michelot
«Willow weep for me» Dexter Gordon «Our man in Paris»
from Our man in Paris (Blue note 1963) Musicians
Pierre Michelot – double bass
Dexter Gordon – tenor sax
Bud Powell – piano
Kenny Clark – drums
Advice from Pierre Michelot :
“A walking bass line should be strong and well constructed like a melody”
Henri Texier
«Bitter homes and gardens»
from Izlaz (Label Bleue 1988) Musicians
Henri Texier – double bass
Steve Swallow – bass
Joe Lovano – tenor sax
Aldo Romano – drums
Advice from Henri Texier :
Nothing is more important than “sound”
Two things to be taken very seriously are intonation and time keeping
Dave Holland
Hank Jones «Interface»
from The Oracle (Emarcy 1989) Musicians
Dave Holland – double bass
Hank Jones – piano
Billy Higgins – drums
Lesson with Dave Holland :
This master class took place in Parthenay jazz festival in July 1992
Advice from Dave Holland :
Find the right way of playing according to the style, so that it fits, and makes the music work. Music from the past, such as Ellington’s saxophone voicings are very relevant to today’s music.
Don’t be too self critical while you are playing.
Riccardo del Fra
«My Funny Valentine»
from Sings again (Timeless 1985) Musicians
Riccardo del Fra – double bass
Michel Grailler – piano
Chet Baker – trumpet
John Engels – drums
Advice from Riccardo del Fra :
If you have nothing more to say (during a solo), shut up!
John Brunton Sr (son père)
Perdido St Blues
My Blue Heaven
His parents have always been very supportive in his musical development. His childhood memories are filled with the sounds of his dad’s clarinet and baritone saxophone.
Advice from John Brunton Sr :
Vary your style of bass accompaniment (mix it up, don’t walk all the time)
