News & Updates — bassist

James Jamerson / Jan 29, 1936 - Aug 2, 1983

James Jamerson / Jan 29, 1936 - Aug 2, 1983

James Jamerson was a key player in the Motown sound and their Funk Brothers backing band, playing bass on nearly every record from 1959 into the 70s. Like the other Funk Brothers, he was never credited on the sessions (until 1971) and was severely underpaid for a lot of his time at the company. His playing contributed melodic advancements, as a jazz player would. Perhaps you could say he was more of a jazz bassist than a pop one. A Gullah from the Georgia Sea Islands, he appeared on more #1 records than anyone (and most of them are great...

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DOCUMENTARY: Charles Mingus - 1968

DOCUMENTARY: Charles Mingus - 1968

The Charles Mingus 1968 documentary is now available in full on Youtube. Shot by then-23 year old Thomas Reichman captures Mingus being evicted (actually in '66, when times were tough for the Mingus family), dealing with police (he gets arrested) and his possessions on the sidewalk. Candid moments of Charles and his daughter are here, as well as some concert footage shot in Massachusetts at Lenny's-On-The-Turnpike. Players include Dannie Richmond, Walter Bishop, Charles McPherson. Reichman committed suicide in '75. Check it out while it is up: More info on the flick can be found here.

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