Here are some extracts from historical recordings, not necessarily well known, which were inspirational (and still are) for choosing bass.

Jean Jacques Burnel

«London Lady» The Stranglers
from Rattus Norvegicus (United Artists 1977)
Age 10 Gary loved melodic punk…
Musicians

Norman Watt Roy

«Hit me with your rhythm stick» Ian Dury & the Blockheads
7’ hit single (Stiff Records 1978)

…and punk with funk.
Musicians

James Jameson

The greatest…

«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

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

«Raise Four» Thelonious Monk Quartet
from Underground (Columbia 1968)
Musicians

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

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

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

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

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

Reggie Workman

«Footprints»
from Wayne Shorter «Adam’s Apple» (Blue Note 1966)
Musicians

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.

Mark Johnson

“If there is someone lovelier than you” Enrico Pieranunzi Trio
from “New Lands” (Timeless 1984)
Musicians

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

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

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

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

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)
Don’t have your amp too loud!