Who's Your Favorite Bass Players; Why?


I like Paul Chambers for his groove and arco. Sam Jones for his Time. Rufus Reid becaues he taught me. Jaco because of the absolute passion. Christian McBride because he's the MAN righ now--and he's the director of the Brubeck Institute at the University of the Pacific, which is my Alma Mater; Ron Carter because of everything he's recorded; George Maraz because of his soul; Richard Davis because of his intensiity; Reggie Workman due to his authenticity; Lonnie Plaxico because of his work with he Jazz Messengers; Scott LaFaro--BECAUSE HE'S THE BEST! (Eddie Gomez and Chuck Isreal are cool, too!). Who're you 'un?
crazy4blues
John Entwhistle--#1, IMO
Mike Watt (Minutemen, Firehose)
Paul McCartney
Colin Moulding (XTC)
Arthur Barrow (Zappa)
Christian McBride
Stanley Clarke
Tony Levin
Graham Maby (Joe Jackson)
Les Claypool
Bruce Foxton (Stiff Little Fingers, The Jam)
My favorite bass player today is Tony Levin. Prior to him, I'd have to go with Entwhistle.

But, my favorite interview of a bass player is on National Lampoon's "That's Not Funny, That's Sick", in which Mr. Rogers (Christopher Guest) interviews a funk bassist (Bill Murray). Mr. Rogers asks the bass player why he likes the bass. The bass player replies...

"It's a helluva lot bigger. A violin is just a little wimpy thing."

"I like the way you say that. Did you know that?"

"I'll say anything you want me to say: 'wimpy, wambly, wombly'"
Jaco: tone, natural improvisational skill. The man was born to play bass.

Abe Laboriel: his flemenco work is pretty impressive.

Nathan East: mr universal.

Bromberg: soloist piccolo bass. Tears up an upright, too!

Wooten: anything, anywhere. Just chops baby!

Manring: best simultaneous multi-bass soloist?

Kim Stone: had to throw that one in there. The guy's playing is just tasty.