Anthony Jackson – Contrabass Guitar

I SO what that bass….

They say that Anthony Jackson invented the Contrabass Guitar via a conversation with luthier Carl Thompson. I don’t think that is strictly true but there is plenty of evidence that AJ has been at the forefront of the development of the instrument over the last 50 years. Such an iconic sound, AJ just doesn’t sound like anyone else. Total genius.

This is Jackson’s bass part from the track ‘Mari Mulambo’ 2011 Steve Khan album, ‘Partin Shot’. It’s over 10 minutes long so the chart is a long one (9 pages). I think I could have clipped it down a bit more with the repeats but, whatever way you go, it’s one that requires you to concentrate. There is a lovely little break that repeats a couple of times and which will cause most of us to have to revisit it but, yeah, it’s that classic Khan/Jackson partnership.