Paul Chambers

Art by Tim Foley

Paul Chambers

Bass · born 22 April 1935 – died 4 January 1969

▸ Click for Richard Cook Bio

In his unemphatic way, Chambers did much to set the agenda for modern bass players, and it was cruel that he became all but forgotten by the middle of the 60s. He played in Detroit in the early 50s and arrived in New York in 1955, on a tour with Paul Quinichette. Immediately in demand, he joined Miles Davis that same year and enjoyed a long stay, all the while freelancing on a huge number of record dates: he is on Coltrane's Blue Train and Giant Steps as well as the likes of Sonny Rollins's Tenor Madness. But it was his work with Davis which won most attention. Although he played in the already classic walking-bass style, something about his fingerings and note-choices set him apart: he does nothing disruptive, yet nothing sounds routine. As perhaps the first bassist to receive regular solos in the LP era, he again followed logical yet unpredictable paths in his improvising. His heroin addiction sometimes made Davis curse him for nodding out on the stand, but it also made him less combative, and Chambers stayed with the trumpeter for eight years, one of his longest-serving sidemen. Afterwards, though, his career went nowhere, his apparent conservatism suddenly less in favour. Three Blue Note albums, none of them that remarkable, are his main legacy as leader. Ill-health finally took him off the scene altogether.

Biography from Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia (2005).

If you'd like more information, check out The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz (2002) or The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz (2007), both of which are still in print.

As leader

  • Paul Chambers Sextet – Whims of ChambersPaul Chambers Sextet – Whims of Chambers
  • Paul Chambers – Bass On TopPaul Chambers – Bass On Top
  • Paul Chambers – Paul Chambers QuintetPaul Chambers – Paul Chambers Quintet
  • Paul Chambers – 1st BassmanPaul Chambers – 1st Bassman

Plays on

  • Cannonball Adderley – Julian Cannonball AdderleyCannonball Adderley – Julian Cannonball Adderley
  • Kenny Clarke – Bohemia After DarkKenny Clarke – Bohemia After Dark
  • Cannonball Adderley – Presenting CannonballCannonball Adderley – Presenting Cannonball
  • Jay Jay Johnson – The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Volume TwoJay Jay Johnson – The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Volume Two
  • Kenny Burrell – Introducing Kenny BurrellKenny Burrell – Introducing Kenny Burrell
  • Miles Davis Quintet – MilesMiles Davis Quintet – Miles
  • Elmo Hope Sextet – Informal JazzElmo Hope Sextet – Informal Jazz
  • Miles Davis – Collectors’ ItemsMiles Davis – Collectors’ Items
  • Sonny Rollins Quartet – Tenor MadnessSonny Rollins Quartet – Tenor Madness
  • Bennie Green – Blows His HornBennie Green – Blows His Horn
  • Various Artists – Jazz Men DetroitVarious Artists – Jazz Men Detroit
  • Hank Mobley – With Donald Byrd and Lee MorganHank Mobley – With Donald Byrd and Lee Morgan
  • Lee Morgan – Lee Morgan SextetLee Morgan – Lee Morgan Sextet
  • Kenny Burrell – Kenny BurrellKenny Burrell – Kenny Burrell
  • Lee Morgan – Lee Morgan, Volume ThreeLee Morgan – Lee Morgan, Volume Three
  • Sonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume TwoSonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume Two
  • Johnny Griffin – A Blowing SessionJohnny Griffin – A Blowing Session
  • Curtis Fuller – The OpenerCurtis Fuller – The Opener
  • Bud Powell – Bud! The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume ThreeBud Powell – Bud! The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume Three
  • Miles Davis – ‘Round About MidnightMiles Davis – ‘Round About Midnight
  • J.J. Johnson – First PlaceJ.J. Johnson – First Place
  • Miles Davis – Miles AheadMiles Davis – Miles Ahead
  • Art Pepper – Meets the Rhythm SectionArt Pepper – Meets the Rhythm Section
  • Red Garland Trio – A Garland of RedRed Garland Trio – A Garland of Red
  • Jackie McLean Quintet – Jackie’s PalJackie McLean Quintet – Jackie’s Pal
  • Hank Mobley / Al Cohn / John Coltrane / Zoot Sims – Tenor ConclaveHank Mobley / Al Cohn / John Coltrane / Zoot Sims – Tenor Conclave
  • Red Garland Trio – Red Garland’s PianoRed Garland Trio – Red Garland’s Piano
  • Miles Davis Quintet – Cookin’Miles Davis Quintet – Cookin’
  • John Coltrane – ColtraneJohn Coltrane – Coltrane
  • Gene Ammons – Jammin’ In Hi FiGene Ammons – Jammin’ In Hi Fi
  • Idrees Sulieman / Webster Young / John Coltrane / Bobby Jaspar – Interplay for 2 Trumpets and 2 TenorsIdrees Sulieman / Webster Young / John Coltrane / Bobby Jaspar – Interplay for 2 Trumpets and 2 Tenors
  • Red Garland – GroovyRed Garland – Groovy
  • Art Taylor – Taylor’s WailersArt Taylor – Taylor’s Wailers
  • Prestige All-Stars – After HoursPrestige All-Stars – After Hours
  • Kenny Drew – Kenny Drew TrioKenny Drew – Kenny Drew Trio
  • Thelonious Monk – Brilliant CornersThelonious Monk – Brilliant Corners
  • Clark Terry – Serenade to a Bus SeatClark Terry – Serenade to a Bus Seat
  • Sonny Rollins – The Sound of SonnySonny Rollins – The Sound of Sonny
  • Warne Marsh – Warne MarshWarne Marsh – Warne Marsh
  • Cliff Jordan – Cliff JordanCliff Jordan – Cliff Jordan
  • Hank Mobley – Hank MobleyHank Mobley – Hank Mobley
  • Curtis Fuller – Bone & BariCurtis Fuller – Bone & Bari
  • John Jenkins / Kenny Burrell – John Jenkins with Kenny BurrellJohn Jenkins / Kenny Burrell – John Jenkins with Kenny Burrell
  • Lee Morgan – City LightsLee Morgan – City Lights
  • Sonny Clark – Sonny’s CribSonny Clark – Sonny’s Crib
  • John Coltrane – Blue TrainJohn Coltrane – Blue Train
  • Lee Morgan – The CookerLee Morgan – The Cooker
  • Sonny Clark – Sonny Clark TrioSonny Clark – Sonny Clark Trio
  • Johnny Griffin – The CongregationJohnny Griffin – The Congregation
  • Sonny Clark – Cool Struttin’Sonny Clark – Cool Struttin’
  • Louis Smith – SmithvilleLouis Smith – Smithville
  • Miles Davis – MilestonesMiles Davis – Milestones
  • Gil Evans – Gil Evans & TenGil Evans – Gil Evans & Ten
  • Mose Allison – Local ColorMose Allison – Local Color
  • John Coltrane – Traneing InJohn Coltrane – Traneing In
  • Miles Davis Quintet – Relaxin’Miles Davis Quintet – Relaxin’
  • Hal McKusick – Triple ExposureHal McKusick – Triple Exposure
  • Red Garland Trio – MantecaRed Garland Trio – Manteca
  • Various Artists – Blues for TomorrowVarious Artists – Blues for Tomorrow
  • Benny Golson – The Modern TouchBenny Golson – The Modern Touch
  • Hank Mobley / Lee Morgan – Peckin’ TimeHank Mobley / Lee Morgan – Peckin’ Time
  • Bud Powell – The Scene ChangesBud Powell – The Scene Changes
  • Jackie McLean – New SoilJackie McLean – New Soil
  • Miles Davis – Kind of BlueMiles Davis – Kind of Blue
  • John Coltrane – SoultraneJohn Coltrane – Soultrane
  • Miles Davis – And The Modern Jazz GiantsMiles Davis – And The Modern Jazz Giants
  • Wynton Kelly – Kelly BlueWynton Kelly – Kelly Blue
  • Curtis Fuller – Sliding EasyCurtis Fuller – Sliding Easy
  • Dizzy Reece – Star BrightDizzy Reece – Star Bright
  • Hank Mobley – Soul StationHank Mobley – Soul Station
  • Sonny Red – Out of the BlueSonny Red – Out of the Blue
  • Jackie McLean – Capuchin SwingJackie McLean – Capuchin Swing
  • Miles Davis – Sketches of SpainMiles Davis – Sketches of Spain
  • Jackie McLean – Makin’ the ChangesJackie McLean – Makin’ the Changes
  • Wynton Kelly – Kelly at MidniteWynton Kelly – Kelly at Midnite
  • John Coltrane – Giant StepsJohn Coltrane – Giant Steps
  • John Coltrane – Coltrane JazzJohn Coltrane – Coltrane Jazz
  • Lee Morgan – Lee-WayLee Morgan – Lee-Way
  • J.J. Johnson / Kai Winding – The Great Kai & J.J.J.J. Johnson / Kai Winding – The Great Kai & J.J.
  • Oliver Nelson – The Blues and the Abstract TruthOliver Nelson – The Blues and the Abstract Truth
  • Milt Jackson Quartet – StatementsMilt Jackson Quartet – Statements
  • Elvin Jones – And Then AgainElvin Jones – And Then Again
  • Wynton Kelly Trio – Smokin’ at the Half NoteWynton Kelly Trio – Smokin’ at the Half Note

Mentioned in text

  • Nat Adderley – That’s NatNat Adderley – That’s Nat
  • Jay Jay Johnson – The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Volume OneJay Jay Johnson – The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Volume One
  • Hank Mobley – Mobley’s MessageHank Mobley – Mobley’s Message
  • Quincy Jones – This Is How I Feel About JazzQuincy Jones – This Is How I Feel About Jazz
  • J.R. Monterose – J.R. MonteroseJ.R. Monterose – J.R. Monterose
  • Horace Silver – 6 Pieces of SilverHorace Silver – 6 Pieces of Silver
  • Lou Donaldson Quintet – Wailing With LouLou Donaldson Quintet – Wailing With Lou
  • Hank Mobley Quintet – Hank Mobley QuintetHank Mobley Quintet – Hank Mobley Quintet
  • Prestige All-Stars – All Night LongPrestige All-Stars – All Night Long
  • Miles Davis – Bags GrooveMiles Davis – Bags Groove
  • Mal Waldron – Mal/2Mal Waldron – Mal/2
  • Phil Woods / Gene Quill / Sahib Shihab / Hal Stein – Four AltosPhil Woods / Gene Quill / Sahib Shihab / Hal Stein – Four Altos
  • Sonny Clark – Dial “S” For SonnySonny Clark – Dial “S” For Sonny
  • Sonny Rollins – A Night at the Village VanguardSonny Rollins – A Night at the Village Vanguard
  • Cliff Jordan – Cliff CraftCliff Jordan – Cliff Craft
  • Lee Morgan – CandyLee Morgan – Candy
  • Cannonball Adderley – Somethin’ ElseCannonball Adderley – Somethin’ Else
  • Red Mitchell – Presenting Red MitchellRed Mitchell – Presenting Red Mitchell
  • Hampton Hawes Quartet – All Night Session! Vols. 1-3Hampton Hawes Quartet – All Night Session! Vols. 1-3
  • Phil Woods – Warm WoodsPhil Woods – Warm Woods
  • Jackie McLean / John Jenkins – Alto MadnessJackie McLean / John Jenkins – Alto Madness
  • King Pleasure Sings / Annie Ross SingsKing Pleasure Sings / Annie Ross Sings
  • Dorothy Ashby – Hip HarpDorothy Ashby – Hip Harp
  • The 3 Sounds – The 3 SoundsThe 3 Sounds – The 3 Sounds
  • Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – Moanin’Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – Moanin’
  • Young Men from Memphis – Down Home ReunionYoung Men from Memphis – Down Home Reunion
  • Harold Land – The FoxHarold Land – The Fox
  • Curtis Fuller – Curtis Fuller, Volume ThreeCurtis Fuller – Curtis Fuller, Volume Three
  • John Coltrane – Coltrane Plays the BluesJohn Coltrane – Coltrane Plays the Blues
  • Miles Davis – Miles SmilesMiles Davis – Miles Smiles