Bass Player: Henri Texier From the CD ‘Suite Africane’, the tune ‘Soweto Sorrow’ features a trio of Texier, Louis Sclavis (bass clarinet) and Aldo Romano (drums). A beautiful and doleful melody is underpinned by the simplest of drum parts and the deep, warm sound of Texier’s bass. A relatively easy chart to read but a…

Bass Player: John Patitucci When Manhattan Transfer recorded their ‘Vocalese’ album in 1986, they based a number of arrangements of classic Jazz performances from the history of the music including this Clifford Brown tune, ‘Joy Spring’. The recording includes a number of tracks featuring the Count Basie Big Band as well as members of the…

Bass Player: Dave Holland From the 1998 album, ‘Points Of View’, this is a full transcription of the tune ‘Serenade’, a Steve Nelson tune which features his wonderful marimba playing. The transcription includes Holland’s exquisite solo; all space and tone rather than chops.

Bass Player: Scott LaFaro The piano trio remains something of a special type of ensemble in Jazz and there are a number of trios that are celebrated; Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau etc but the trio vehicle really expanded when pianist Bill Evans joined drummer Paul Motian and double bass virtuoso Scott LaFaro in a legendary…

Bass Player: Ken ‘Spider’ Sinneave Kim Mitchell was the brains behind Canadian rockers Max Webster. HIs solo albums continue with the ‘left field’ approach to Rock music with some incredibly challenging compositions and ‘out there’ lyrical content; think Zappa meets Rush. Featured on the album ‘Itch’, the tune ‘Lemon Wedge’ is based on an incredibly…

Bass Player: Paul Chambers Having written a biography on Paul Chambers and researched his extensive discography, it is always important to try to establish which sessions a tune was recorded on based on dates rather than the apparent ‘leader’ on any record, CD or download. ‘John Paul Jones’ has appeared on recordings reportedly led by…

Bass Player: Jeff Berlin The tune ‘Bach’ off Jeff Berlin’s 1986 album ‘Pump It’ is based around Bach’s Two Part Invention in C Minor from The Well Tempered Clavier. The core Bach composition is rearranged to give Jeff space to solo of Bach’s changes. The piece is challenging and it is recommended that players spend…

Bass Player: Ney Conceicao Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter Joao Bosco is one of the leading artists in Brazil and he has worked with all the greats within the Brazilian music sphere. He has also appeared alongside the bass player John Patitucci, on Patitucci’s album, Mistura Fina. Bosco’s first call bassist is the Brazilian Ney Conceicao and it is…

Bass Player: Dave Holland Another in the series of Dave Holland Quartet/Quintet albums, the 1996 recording ‘Dream Of The Elders’ featured Holland alongside saxophonist Eric Person, vibraphonist Steve Nelson and drummer Gene Jackson. The transcription is the title tune from this recording and features the full performance including Holland’s bass solo.

Bass Player: Gary Brown Gary Brown is a versatile bass player who has recorded with many high profile jazz and rock artists ranging from Lou Rawls and Airto Moreira to Jimmy Dillon and Steve Winwood. He has been a member of Flora Purim’s group since the early ’90s, and is also active in soundtrack work.…