Great choices.I agree with most of the picks in this thread. My personal favorites:
Jazz: Ron Carter, Scott LaFaro, Ray Brown. The first time I heard Scott on "Waltz for Debby" I couldn't believe bass in jazz could be played like that. His so premature death was one of the biggest losses in the history of jazz. I love Ron's thick plucking and the weight he gives to his lines. Ray is a just an all-around tremendous player and composer.
Rock: Tony Levin; he's my Ron Carter of rock bass players. Geezer Butler; "War Pigs" is arguably the best rhythm section work in the history of rock music. Cliff Burton; just like Scott LaFaro in jazz music, his premature death is one of the biggest losses in the history of rock music. As great as Metallica is, I cannot help but wonder how much greater the band would have been had Cliff not have got killed. My third favorite is Steve Harris from Iron Maiden. His speed and technical ability is in my opinion unmatched in heavy metal and beyond. The fact that he doesn't use a pick just makes him one of the best ever.
Jazz: Ron Carter, Scott LaFaro, Ray Brown. The first time I heard Scott on "Waltz for Debby" I couldn't believe bass in jazz could be played like that. His so premature death was one of the biggest losses in the history of jazz. I love Ron's thick plucking and the weight he gives to his lines. Ray is a just an all-around tremendous player and composer.
Rock: Tony Levin; he's my Ron Carter of rock bass players. Geezer Butler; "War Pigs" is arguably the best rhythm section work in the history of rock music. Cliff Burton; just like Scott LaFaro in jazz music, his premature death is one of the biggest losses in the history of rock music. As great as Metallica is, I cannot help but wonder how much greater the band would have been had Cliff not have got killed. My third favorite is Steve Harris from Iron Maiden. His speed and technical ability is in my opinion unmatched in heavy metal and beyond. The fact that he doesn't use a pick just makes him one of the best ever.