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James Lee Jamerson (January 29, 1936 – August 2, 1983) was an American bass player. He was the uncredited bassist on most of the Motown Records hits in the 1960s and early 1970s (Motown did not list session musician credits on their releases until 1971), and is now regarded as one of the greatest and most influential bass players in modern ...
- Claire Davies
- Darling Dear - Jackson 5. This bassline is jammed full of Jamerson's signature tricks and techniques. Many hail Bernadette (Four Tops) as his best work, but if you want a crash course in his inventive playing style, Darling Dear is it.
- Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Jamerson's playing often mirrors other instruments within the song, and on this one it's most notably the vocals.
- Bernadette - Four Tops. Jamerson's greatest bassline? Some believe so, while others tip their hat to What's Going On (Marvin Gaye). Either way, his playing becomes just as much a focal point as the vocals on this Motown staple.
- What's Going On - Marvin Gaye. With a main groove over an Emaj7 chord in the intro, Jamerson sets the tone for Marvin Gaye's socio-commentary: soulful, and with bags of feel.
- Nick Wells
- My Girl - The Temptations (1965) Written by Smokey Robinson and Ronnie White from The Miracles, 'My Girl' became an all-time classic thanks to Jamerson's instantly recognisable bassline.
- Going to a Go-Go - The Miracles (1965) This next bassline doesn't necessarily indicate the work of a future revolutionary, but listen carefully to the rhythmic counterpoint between the bass and the toms of drummer Benny Benjamin.
- You Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes (1966) This is a prime example of how Jamerson would drive a track from the bottom while the vocalist drove it from the top.
- Road Runner - Jr. Walker & The All Stars (1966) A hit song for Junior Walker & the Allstars in 1966, 'Road Runner' opens with a classic drum fill followed by eight bars of James Jamerson at his very best.
Mar 6, 2023 · James Jamerson was a session musician who played on many Motown hits, but he never received the recognition he deserved. He suffered from poor health, depression, and poverty until his untimely death in 1983.
Jun 8, 2020 · Learn how James Jamerson became the first 'virtuoso' bass guitar player and influenced generations of bassists. Discover his musical journey from double bass to electric bass and his role in creating the Motown Sound.
Apr 27, 2023 · Join my free membership for bass players! https://www.thebassmastermind.com/com... In this video, we dive deep into the life and story of the legendary bassist, James Jamerson. So, whether...
- 13 min
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- Jaz Moss
James Jamerson played the bass with an intuition like no one else. Although he was a sideman, he revolutionized the bass and brought it out of the shadows and to the forefront of music.
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