Jeff Berlin – Bass I started this one like a lamb to the slaughter – easy enough, I thought. And then, about two thirds of the way in, wham. Impossible to read and impossible to play (not really, but you get what I am saying). The tune ‘Melancho’ is the opening track from the 1987…

Jaco Pastorius – Bass I picked this album up during the Boer War, if I recall correctly, when I was a young man. It shows how much more Jaco was than a flash sideman with Weather Report. His vision was so profound and I often wonder, like Hendrix, Parker et al, what he would have…

Jaco Pastorius – Bass (and vocals) The Jaco Pastorius Big Band album, ‘Twins’ recorded in 1982 is one of those recordings where every second of the performance is bass heaven. It is a must listen recording for bass players and a wonderful introduction the Francis John Pastorius III, ‘the greatest bass player in the world’.…

Dave Holland – Bass This came up on my mp3 player whilst it was on shuffle and I thought…’ I wonder’? I thought I would give it a try. It is a complete solo performance by Holland, one of the few players who has the chops and ideas necessary to pull this kind of thing…

Janek Gwizdala – Bass Another from the Kazumi Watanabe back catalogue. Watanabe has a knack for choosing great rhythm sections and this one is no exception. JG and drummer Horacio Hernandez were the bass and drums behind the 2011 album, ‘Tricoroll’ which ash some great performances. The transcription is the complete bass part for the…

Jeff Berlin – Bass Another one from the Kazumi Watanabe album, ‘The Spice Of Life’ (1986). These records are great for transcribing as you can hear every note without much problem. This is a ‘rocker’ with the bass featuring as a melody instrument but is has some little traps that will catch you out if…

Mark Egan – Bass I know that Egan had lessons from Jaco but I don’t know if this tune was dedicated to Pastorius himself, or titled this way because the closing choruses are pure Pastorius 16th note grooving but, in the end, it doesn’t matter. This one is being put up because the last Egan…

Jay Anderson – Bass Bassist/composer Jay Anderson is among the most versatile and respected jazz artists performing today. Born in Southern California, Anderson began playing acoustic bass at the age of twelve. Throughout junior high, high school, and college, Anderson won numerous awards for excellence in both jazz and classical music. One week after receiving…

Mark Egan – Bass I bought this record shortly after it came out along with the sequel, ‘American Garage’. For a long time, I could never understand why Egan was replaced by Rodby but I have since gained a greater insight into Metheny’s vision. Nevertheless, these first two albums very much have their own identity…

Steve Rodby – Bass Another fine example of Rodby’s capacity to play the right notes, nothing more and nothing less. The phrasing on this is perfectly suited to the song, a Pat Metheny composition from the 2002 Metheny Group album, ‘Speaking Of Now’. Having Richard Bona in the band and not playing bass is evidence…