Bass Player: Darryl Jones

Darrryl Jones has an enviable pedigree and has performed with, amongst others, John Scofield, Miles Davis, Steps Ahead and Sting. Since 1993, Jones has been the bass player who has held everything down for The Rolling Stones. ‘The Munch’ is a very grounded player known for his groove rather than any soloing but there is no doubting his facility – listen to the tune ‘Techno’ from the John Scofiled ‘Still Warm’ album.

The transcription is peculiar in so far as there are two basses on this track, an electric and double bass. The album credits list Jones as the bass player on the title track, ‘The Dream Of The Blue Turtles’ from the 1985 Sting album of the same name but Sting was not only a bass player himself but had also experience of the double bass in Jazz, something which is all but missing from Jones’s CV. Is this Jones, Sting or both?

The tune is only 1:18 seconds long and was just a bit of fun for the Jazz heads who were looking at the LP for some Marsalis/Kirkland action but, for those of us just getting into Jazz at the time, this was the best track on what was a very strong album. The film that followed it’s release, ‘Bring On The Night’ offered some fascinating insights into the working practices of the band at that time and is recommended viewing.