Dominik’s Radio Times

Playlist

Jazz Bass, With Vic Hobson

Vic Hobson joins a history of the bass from Jimmy Blanton and bebop to fusion, acoustic virtuosity and modern solo performance.

Show
The Evolution Of Jazz Bass
Programme
Textures
Date
13 January 2008

15 selections · 9 with a playable sample

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Jimmy Blanton · Body And Soul

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Jazz bass, with Vic Hobson

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Songs in order

  1. 1
    Body And Soul · Jimmy Blanton

    Why it was chosen Guest believes he solves fundamental problems of the bass and brings it forward as a solo instrument.

  2. 2
    No N Ox Blues · Oscar Pettiford

    Why it was chosen He developed the bass's harmonic language in the bebop period.

  3. 3
    So What · Miles Davis
    No sample is available for this selection.

    Why it was chosen Example of Miles Davis simplifying things to focus on melody rather than complex harmonic changes.

  4. 4
    Solar · Scott LaFaro
    No sample is available for this selection.

    Why it was chosen Ties in with previous music and picks up on themes running through the show

  5. 5
    Solar · Bill Evans
    No sample is available for this selection.

    Why it was chosen The speaker notes that the playing was "very modern playing even that early on" and reflects on the fact that the musician "died the same year" he recorded it at age 25.

  6. 6
    Flared African · Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus

    Why it was chosen Requested by Leon; shows Mingus at his best on the bass

  7. 7
    Tears · Weather Report
    No sample is available for this selection.

    Why it was chosen Personal connection as the principal founders of the band were both Central Europeans

  8. 8
    Donnelly · Jaco Pastorius
    No sample is available for this selection.

    Why it was chosen Demonstrates the use of harmonics and the difficulty of damping on bass guitar

  9. 9
    Teen Town · Marcus Miller

    Why it was chosen Composition by Jaco Pastorius performed by a modern jazz bass guitar figure

  10. 10
    School Days · Stanley Clarke

    Why it was chosen Requested by Leon

  11. 11
    La Canción De Sofía · Stanley Clarke, Jean-Luc Ponty, Aldemio La

    Why it was chosen Demonstrates the transition from electric to acoustic bass and the artist's technique

  12. 12
    All Blues · Brian Bromberg
    No sample is available for this selection.

    Why it was chosen To show the potential of the acoustic bass and link to a future show on the blues

  13. 13
    Amazing Grace · Victor Wooten

    Why it was chosen Dominik highlights Wooten's amazing technique and improvisation

  14. 14
    Seven Beats · Richard Bona

    Why it was chosen Dominik likes Bona's subtle style and the mix of African influences

  15. 16
    Summertime · Ray Brown Trio

    Why it was chosen Dominik likes to end shows with this song as a lullaby