Originally a student of the stand-up bass, he was soon playing in local clubs, and when Berry Gordy opened his Hitsville USA studio in 1959, Jamerson became a fixture.He and his fellow musicians referred to themselves as the Funk Brothers, although if they were credited at all in those days, it was as the Soul Brothers). Throughout the entire classic Motown catalog (and some non-Motown sides), Jamerson shaped a new inventive style of… Read Full Biography. Other than the loving tribute Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson, a classic book/CD set by Allan "Dr. Licks" Slutsky (publisher Hal Leonard), not much has been written about the bass-playing wonder. James Jamerson is unquestionably one of the most important bassists in bass playing history and was hugely innovative in his style. King Curtis, Hal Blaine, Scotty Moore, James Jamerson and Earl Palmer are Inducted at the 2000 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Throughout the entire classic Motown catalog (and some non-Motown sides), Jamerson shaped a new inventive style of…
James Jamerson’s oldest son was James Jamerson Jr., who also became an accomplished bass player with an extensive recording career, playing bass on several hits recorded in studios in Los Angeles.
Alongside Benny Benjamin, Earl Van Dyke, Richard “Pistol” Allen, Joe Hunter, Paul Riser, Robert White and many others, he helped weave the very fabric of Tamla Motown’s imposing and infectious sound.Throughout the 1960s, Jamerson would add his authoritative and funky bass lines to the vast majority of the company’s ever-expanding catalogue. 1) Standing in the Shadows of Motown Deluxe Edition.
In 1953, Jamerson's mother moved to Detroit to find work.
At Northwestern High, Jamerson picked up an upright bass that was lying on the floor in the music room and "found" his instrument.
He died on August 2, 1983 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Throughout the entire classic Motown catalog (and some non-Motown sides), Jamerson shaped a new inventive style of… Read Full Biography.
In today’s bass guitar lesson I’m going to show you to learn 5 legendary Motown Bass Riffs originally played by James Jamerson.If you’re not already familiar with the name ‘James Jamerson’... you’re in for a treat! You probably have, even if you don't know his actual name. Award for Musical Excellence Retrospective Reel James Lee Jamerson Legendary Motown bassist James Jamerson single-handedly revolutionized bass playing. His father worked in shipyards and his …
He began developing his innate musical talents while incessantly listening to gospel, jazz, and blues stations. Still a minor, the Detroit police department gave him a permit to play in clubs that served liquor, enabling him to get more work.
Award for Musical Excellence Retrospective Reel Forced to wear high-topped shoes in order to walk, the incident left Jamerson with a slight limp and a gnawing self-consciousness that would haunt him for his entire life. He died on August 2, 1983, at the age of only 47.
A great source of vocabulary, too. James Jamerson Jr. (born James L. Jamerson III; August 24, 1957 – March 23, 2016) was an American bass player and noted studio musician. Though Motown wasn't too keen about Jamerson and the rest of Another gold hit that featured Jamerson was "Then Came You" by James and his cohorts practically lived in Studio A, the space they called the Snakepit. When first learning this I recommend using an open string for the D note… but once you’re more comfortable try fretting it at the 5th fret on the A string. James Lee Jamerson, Jr. was born on January 29, 1936, in Charleston, NC, to the union of James Lee Jamerson, Sr. and his wife Elisabeth. He paved the way for some much of what developed from that point forward.
Jamerson was becoming a neighborhood hero, driving around Detroit with his upright bass sticking out of his car window. After a bicycle accident, he spent a year in a wheelchair.
James Jamerson was basically the first electric bass virtuoso, and these transcriptions of his lines provide a great reading workout; tons of rhythmic activity, lots of 16th-note syncopation and plenty of chromaticism. In 1958,
James Jamerson, Soundtrack: Blackjack. James Jamerson didn’t really live long enough to enjoy the full limelight that has latterly shone on the Funk Brothers, the musicians who were the very essence of the Motown sound.
He bestowed the funkiest, grooviest basslines in the Motown catalogue.James Jamerson played the bass with an intuition like no one else.
A year later, she sent for her son.
You can learn the core fundamental skills bass players need inside my program The Bass Lab PLUS.The Bass Lab PLUS is a complete program for the beginner to intermediate bass player - All Bass Lab PLUS courses are easy to understand and simplify complex ideas so bass players in the early phases of learning can make rapid progress and achieve results that impress their friends and family fast.Click Here To Get The FREE5 Legendary Motown Bass Riffs (origially by James Jamerson)5 Legendary Motown Bass Riffs (origially by James Jamerson) There are only 3 notes in the riff but the rhythm is trickier. 6.