Coastal Carolina University hosts the first annual International Solo Bass Competition. This one features Steve Bailey, Vic wooten, and Anthony Jackson
AJ's technique is so relaxed, so effortless. Most bassists don't realize how hard it would be to play 36" scale six string bass with P-Bass string spacing nut to bridge. It would be instant carpal tunnel for the unlearned.
Sounds like a classical guitar solo on the bass. His sense of harmony is beyond the I IV V tonal pallet of the average listener who normally only tributes scale work and speed to virtuosity. In short he's a beast
Anthony has been for years, and will always be my favorite bass player. He belongs to this category of musicians who literally transcend their instrument. Before being a bass player, he is a musician first. He thinks first, and foremost, about the music. I have all his recordings at home, and NOT EVEN ONCE did I hear him "overdo" it, or overplay. This explains why he is at home in every possible style, in every possible context, on any possible weird time signature. Thanks for the music, Tony.
Anthony is sooooo the man---- no tricks--- just pure musicality---- he is in it to explore and reach--- to boldly go sonically where no-one dares----- no adolescent chops bullshit---- yet-- he can outplay most anyone on the planet--- and in most styles.
LOL. Some deaf mute wrote "Wooten destroys the bass. He embarrasses Bailey and Jackson." No one can destroy the best living bassist on earth. Wooten is incredible. AJ plays bass as God would approve.
Anthony showed his depth in his cadenza-- And proceeded to graciously allow all others to stand on his shoulders as he laid a bedrock of foundation-- he is simply king. Always will be.
honestly the one who says wotten destroy jackson is not a musician for many points if you ask are in wooten brain or mind u will seee thta no one comes close to jackson cause wooten is percusive and fast and that is not out of this planet talent but jackson is fast but does deep harmony what is really difficult ...many great bassist are percusive and melodic but only 2 are the greates anthony jackson and arthur maia wooten k and bailey knows it
He is placed in the middle because he is in a class all by himself 1) signature bass that the average player would struggle to play 2) musical genius beyond our time 3) the humility this man do what he do is astounding 4) passion unlike any other I could go on and on about this great man and the respect he has earned Anthony Jackson is a blessing to us bass players
i like the respect and love Anthony is getting from Steve and Vic. Anthony changed the entire game in the 70's, rebelled against and outplayed keyboard bass in the 80's and slayed the 90's, 2000's and 2010's. I am frozen with mouth opened 90 degrees when I see or hear him play.
To the people that are downing AJ recognize, that he is the one laying down the groove for them to solo on. Is not all about the techniques you use, but if you can groove thats what bass playing is all about. Thats why i'm a bass player to groove out.
I wince seeing the word 'competition in the background. Picking a 'winner?' between 3 bass masters with very diverse philosophies towards the instrument is insulting to the intelligence of even a beginner on bass. 1 BEST style to play? Really lol?
I don't think people really understood this video - this is more educational that any of the show-off videos out in the youtube, or maybe you need an education in listening to multiple voicings...
If you were to play something to put some big shot music students who think that have learned all that there is in their place, this would definitely be it. I have not heard anything today that is as impressive and as musical as this. Ridiculous.
@Bassman3113 Completely different styles. Jackson is incredible at different things (like developing improvised insanely complex basslines etc) and Bailey is very good with composing melodies on a fretless and really uses his 6 string to his advantage. Victor is an incredible soloist and uses a lot of flashy slapping and sweeping.
There was absolutely nothing going on here from any of these 3 amazing bassists, and AJ is one of my favorite players, but his solos for me do not move me. Greg Bissonette was more interesting, believe or not.
one must understand that the race is not given to the swift but he that endures to the end MR.ANTHONY C.JACKSON, body of work, far surpasses a mere gymnastic style of playing! when one could play over 500 studio sessions and still counting and tour around the world, you can't begin to count, when one could play any style of music require on sheeted music and to bring it to life in one take no rehearsals!, low frequency people! and for those that understand the session world, time was money one take only! if not! pack your gig bag and go home please!, and more than likely u will not be call again! however: it was a different world then it was about making 150k a yr consistently as a top notch session bass guitarist, it make me think of a story i once heard about motown legend bass guitarist James Jamerson he was not able to make a gig for a motown's artist tour so they audition all of these fancy gymnastic style bass guitarist not one could cut the mustard, only the the top notch session bass guitarist. I remember one of my personal stories talking Mr. jackson in 2015 @ the IRIDIUM club in NYC about REHARMONIZATION on bass and he was reading a book at the time he took out the time to explain to me, very super serious man of great intelligence and wisdom however; two italian groupies long black hair mob wives type models came into flirt he ran them out of there so fast (NO HOMO)!!! IT WAS ABOUT THE MUSICAL conversation we had going on that was a lesson in itself for me personally and those women, was FINE! when you understand this man musical history background lessons from PAT MARTINO,HORACE SILVER ,BUDDY RICH,CHICK COREA,STEELY DAN,OJAYS,ROBERTA FLACK, MICHEAL JACKSON,QUINCY JONES,DAVE GRUSSIN, LEE RITENOUR, BILLY COBHAM,LUTHER VANDROSS,AL JERREAU, MICHEAL CAMILO,HILTON RUIZ, DIZZY GILLESPIE,ART FAMER, STEVE GADD,DAVE WECKL,HORACIO HERNANDEZ,CLIFF ALMOND,MICHEAL PETRUCCIANI,SIMON PHILLIPS, KENWOOD DENARD, DONALD FEGAN,STEVE KHAN,AL DI MEOLA,RAY RUSSELL,HIROMI UEHARA,MIKE STERN. AND THAT'S OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD! NOW LETS PUT THIS INTO PROSPECTIVE, SIMPLE EQUATION! IN ORDER TO PLAY WITH THE FEW THAT ARE MENTION YOU MUST HAVE CHOPS & TECHNIQUE!!!! NOW THIS SHOULD PUT ALL GYMNASTIC, LOW FREQUENCY, BASS GUITARIST TO REST ON ALL THE BARS ON THE MUSIC SHEET! SILLY RABBITS TRICK ARE FOR.........?
Music is not sport. Those of you saying "he's not this or that...such and such is much better "etc..... First -aren't true bassist because you clearly don't know the history/discography of Mr.Jackson , and secondly - with those attitudes, your own personal playing/ growth as a musician will ALWAYS be stunted...to you , there always someone "better" , so what's the point?
@dnjesusfreak Remember this clip is quite old, since his stroke he's had to loose loads of weight. I saw a picture of him recently and I could hardly recognize him because he looked so thin!
anyone who understand deep harmony knows perfectly tha jackson plays more steve and wooten but he others bassist are amaizing ....but jackson plays deep harmony.....
U honestly want to know when ur absolutely incredible?? When u have no vol, treb, mid, or bass knobbs on ur bass..lol When u can just plug up and sound better than who ever is tryna hang. LMBO!!! AJ is to me the #2 greatest on this earth ri now!
To me, AJ's music lacks the (I hate this term) x factor and edge that people can bring by using the basics, simplicity and repetition, repeating and improving. This is what impresses me when I hear Victor Wooten and Victor Bailey play and talk about music. They understand the basics, they use the basics, they then expand when they feel it works. To me, AJ just doesn't have the feeling, or the emotion that I can hear and feel in the Victor's music.
Mr. Jackson is the only one here doing what the bass should do...all about the groove. As much as I appreciate Bisonnette and Wooten, they are wankers here.
Anthony is known for his amazing grooves! But i disagree with the skillful thing. His musicality is more higher than both Victor & Bailey. If you notice his note choice, you would truly understand. Technically, jackson is probably one of the best latin bass players, and he is known for some famous R&B grooves & some jazz fusion stuff. This is a rare moment, because you don't hear Anthony solo a lot, so understand what you're coming from, but I just have to disagree with the skill statement
Music should never be a competition......that's just lame. Besides AJ is light years beyond any of these guys musically. He is a deeply rooted talented musician. Not just some guy that can play fast and hold down a beat.
Indeed it wasn't the most over the top performance I've heard. But I actually can abide Steve Bailey's antics this time because he doesn't sound so awfully out of tune. But my God Anthony's tone.......That is why the 6 string, more specifically the low B works! That, is tone. And then the palm muting... master class!
Jackson didn't have a wonderful skill like what Wooten and Bailey did, but if Jackson didn't play his bass like in 05:33 - 05:37, it feels like no groove inside.
Man, I know that those Anthony Jackson Fodera 6-string basses cost big bucks ($10k+). But, man. Those are some ugly, ugly basses. There, I said it. And, I know I'll probably get flamed for it, too.
Exactly. When it comes down to it, I could really care less what a bass looks like, as long as it plays & sounds great to my ears. But, he carries it a little too far with the shitty looks, when it comes to his design of that bass. The design must fit him great. Because, he sure didn't kick no damn doors down when it comes to an attractive design. But, I reckon I lucked out all the way around. Because all my basses just so happen to look great, too. Haha. I own a few basses worth upwards of 4k. And, if I'm shellin' that much cash out, it's gonna be beautiful, too. Lol.
That's the exact same reason that I don't like it. That body shape is right down ugly. But, I bet it plays/sounds awesome. Hell, it should, for that amount of jack. I own a couple of Alembics, Carvin, pre-Gibson Tobias, and Dingwall basses with exotic tops. I love exotic tops. Especially flamed koa. The only basses I have with actual paint is my 3 vintage Jazz Basses, and my old school custom shop BC Rich bass from my hair metal days in the 80's.. Lol.
If your Jazz has lacquer paint, I wouldn't. Because it'll wear soon enough. And, imo, it looks great when it does, if that's your thing. But, yeah. I definitely have some cash invested in some basses/amp, effects. But, those are my tools for my job in order to get paid, so that's what I need for work. But, sorry. I use 'em all for work. Haha.
I like jazz, know the work of Anthony. But this gig here was nothing but bullshit. People sometimes admire something without even realising how bad it was. This the case. Certainly not even the musicians were happy with the result of this “spectacle”. Go listen the recordings with Petrucciani, Gadd e Jackson for something really good.
totally agree - wooten and bailey were underplaying so as not to overshadow their aged hero. Jackson is good and his body of work is incredible but he doesn't have the technique the two younger players have. There was simply no room for extreme pyrotechnical soloing in the groove Jackson was playing.
