Who's Your Favorite Bass Players; Why?

Okay, how about Charles Fambrough--his groove. Charnet Moffett because he's all that. Oscar Pettiford--he has chops to burn. Avery Sharp--he's got great ideas. Santi Debriani--he can hang with the Ellington band or Oliver Lake. I'm pretty good (in my college days--and I have recordings to prove it!). Red Mitchell because of his humanity AND he tuned his bass like a cello. Oh yeah, and Red Callendar for his swing; Milt Hinton--he's The Judge (he was actually one of the very first jazz bassists, switching from tuba to four string!). How about Jamil Nasser? He's got PHAT TONE! Don't forget Slam Stewart and the arco/vocal solos! You know, Dave Eubanks is pretty good--he's the brother of Kevin Eubanks, guitarist of "The Tonight Show" fame. Sheesh! I almost forgot about Cecil McBee--low reg! And what about CHARLES MINGUS??????????????????? His playing was great, especially in the bebop days, but, of course, his compositions are 2 dye 4! And there are some others, like Walter Booker, Dave Holland, Ron Carter, Al Makibbon, Gary Mapp, John Ore, Todd Coolman, Bill Douglass, Cameron Brown (I had some lessons from him in Italy), JIMMY GARRISON (Trane!), Tommy Potter, Leroy Vinegar (West Coast soul), CHARLIE HADEN, Ray Drumhand, Buster Williams (Super fat tone!)--all of these cats have given me pause in order to consider that BASS is the foundation of music, and, probably, life. Thanks, all.

Johnny

Duane: Your postings are very hipological. Thanks for reminding me of Mirslov! Here's a couple more: Bob Crenshaw, who is on so many Blue Note recordings. Doug Watkins, a contemporary of Paul Chambers. Herbie Lewis, Frank Tusa, Mel Graves, and Larry Grennadier--all S.F. cats. There's also Neils Ostred Henning Pederson, who had monster chops. Gary Mapp played a lot with Monk. One of Wynton Marsalis' best bass players was Robert Hurst. You know, I can't believe I haven't mentioned Percy Heath and George Duvier! What's wrong with me??? I'm sure that I can think of a lot more, too. I gotta tell ya, I just love that instrument!

EL, I LOVE "The Evolving Basist!" It's a classic. It's how I learned to make bass lines!

Oops. When you mentioned "Rufus Reid's playalong books," I just assumed that you were referring to TEB. Mea culpa! But, yeah, I know all--too-well about scale and arpeggio practice, especially in D flat!