James Blanton (October 5, 1918 – July 30, 1942) was an American jazz double bassist. Blanton is credited with being the originator of more complex pizzicato and arco bass solos in a jazz context than previous bassists. Nicknamed "Jimmie," Blanton's nickname is usually misspelled as "Jimmy," including by Duke Ellington.
Blanton was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee.[1] He originally learned to play the violin, but took up the bass while at Tennessee State University, performing with the Tennessee State Collegians from 1936 to 1937, and during the vacations with Fate Marable.[2]: 121
Later life and career
Blanton left university in 1938 to play full-time in St Louis with the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra.[2]: 121 Blanton joined Duke Ellington's band in 1939.[2]: 121 On November 22 of that year, Blanton and Ellington recorded two tracks – "Blues" and "Plucked Again" – which were the first commercially recorded piano–bass duets.[2]: 122 Further duet recordings were made in 1940, and Blanton was also featured in orchestra tracks.[2]: 122 "Blanton also took part in a few of the informal jam sessions at Minton's Playhouse in New York that contributed to the genesis of the bop style."[3] He had to leave Ellington's band near the end of 1941, because of poor health.[4]
Ellington put Blanton front-and-center on the bandstand nightly, unheard of for a bassist at the time. Such was his importance to Ellington's band at the time, together with tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, that it became known as the Blanton–Webster band.[2]: 121 Blanton also played in the "small group" sessions led by Barney Bigard, Rex Stewart, Johnny Hodges, and Cootie Williams in 1940-41.
When with the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra, Blanton added classical music pizzicato and arco techniques to jazz bass, making it into more of a solo instrument.[2]: 121 While with Ellington, Blanton revolutionized the way the double bass was used in jazz.[4] His virtuosity placed him in a different class from his predecessors, making him the first master of the jazz bass and demonstrating its potential as a solo instrument.[4] "He possessed great dexterity and range, roundness of tone, accurate intonation, and above all an unprecedented sense of swing."[3] He added "many non-harmonic passing notes in his accompaniment lines, giving them a contrapuntal flavour and stimulating soloists to their own harmonic explorations."[3] His originality was developed by others into the foundations of the bebop rhythm section.[3] His importance was such that, "until the advent of the styles of Scott LaFaro and Charlie Haden in the 1960s all modern bass players drew on his innovations."[3]
Things Ain't What They Used To Be (Jazz: RCA Victor, 1966)
References
^Carr, Ian; Fairweather, Digby; Priestley, Brian (1995) Jazz: The Rough Guide. London: Rough Guides. ISBN1-85828-137-7
^ abcdefgCelenza, Anna Harwell "The 1940s: the Blanton-Webster band, Carnegie Hall, and the challenge of the postwar era". In: Green, Edward (ed.) (2014) The Cambridge Companion to Duke Ellington. Cambridge University Press.
^ abcdeRobinson, J. Bradford "Blanton, Jimmy". Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved August 14, 2017. (Subscription required.)
^ abcGioia, Ted (2011) The History of Jazz (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 173.
^Ginell, Richard S. "Jimmy Blanton". AllMusic. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
^Spencer, Frederick J. (2002) Jazz and Death. University Press of Mississippi.
Sources
"Jimmy Blanton". African American Almanac. 9th ed. Gale, 2003. Student Resource Center. Thomson Gale. 11 April 2006
January 26, 2023
jimmy, blanton, james, blanton, october, 1918, july, 1942, american, jazz, double, bassist, blanton, credited, with, being, originator, more, complex, pizzicato, arco, bass, solos, jazz, context, than, previous, bassists, nicknamed, jimmie, blanton, nickname, . James Blanton October 5 1918 July 30 1942 was an American jazz double bassist Blanton is credited with being the originator of more complex pizzicato and arco bass solos in a jazz context than previous bassists Nicknamed Jimmie Blanton s nickname is usually misspelled as Jimmy including by Duke Ellington Jimmie BlantonBackground informationBirth nameJames BlantonBornOctober 5 1918 1918 10 05 Chattanooga Tennessee United StatesDiedJuly 30 1942 1942 07 31 aged 23 Duarte California United StatesGenresJazz big bandOccupation s MusicianInstrument s Double bassYears active1936 41 Contents 1 Early life 2 Later life and career 3 Playing style and influence 4 Discography 5 References 6 SourcesEarly life EditBlanton was born in Chattanooga Tennessee 1 He originally learned to play the violin but took up the bass while at Tennessee State University performing with the Tennessee State Collegians from 1936 to 1937 and during the vacations with Fate Marable 2 121 Later life and career EditBlanton left university in 1938 to play full time in St Louis with the Jeter Pillars Orchestra 2 121 Blanton joined Duke Ellington s band in 1939 2 121 On November 22 of that year Blanton and Ellington recorded two tracks Blues and Plucked Again which were the first commercially recorded piano bass duets 2 122 Further duet recordings were made in 1940 and Blanton was also featured in orchestra tracks 2 122 Blanton also took part in a few of the informal jam sessions at Minton s Playhouse in New York that contributed to the genesis of the bop style 3 He had to leave Ellington s band near the end of 1941 because of poor health 4 Ellington put Blanton front and center on the bandstand nightly unheard of for a bassist at the time Such was his importance to Ellington s band at the time together with tenor saxophonist Ben Webster that it became known as the Blanton Webster band 2 121 Blanton also played in the small group sessions led by Barney Bigard Rex Stewart Johnny Hodges and Cootie Williams in 1940 41 In 1941 Blanton was diagnosed with tuberculosis 5 Blanton died on July 30 1942 at a sanatorium in Duarte California aged 23 6 Playing style and influence EditWhen with the Jeter Pillars Orchestra Blanton added classical music pizzicato and arco techniques to jazz bass making it into more of a solo instrument 2 121 While with Ellington Blanton revolutionized the way the double bass was used in jazz 4 His virtuosity placed him in a different class from his predecessors making him the first master of the jazz bass and demonstrating its potential as a solo instrument 4 He possessed great dexterity and range roundness of tone accurate intonation and above all an unprecedented sense of swing 3 He added many non harmonic passing notes in his accompaniment lines giving them a contrapuntal flavour and stimulating soloists to their own harmonic explorations 3 His originality was developed by others into the foundations of the bebop rhythm section 3 His importance was such that until the advent of the styles of Scott LaFaro and Charlie Haden in the 1960s all modern bass players drew on his innovations 3 Discography EditNever No Lament Jazz Bluebird 2003 Things Ain t What They Used To Be Jazz RCA Victor 1966 References Edit Carr Ian Fairweather Digby Priestley Brian 1995 Jazz The Rough Guide London Rough Guides ISBN 1 85828 137 7 a b c d e f g Celenza Anna Harwell The 1940s the Blanton Webster band Carnegie Hall and the challenge of the postwar era In Green Edward ed 2014 The Cambridge Companion to Duke Ellington Cambridge University Press a b c d e Robinson J Bradford Blanton Jimmy Grove Music Online Oxford Music Online Oxford University Press Retrieved August 14 2017 Subscription required a b c Gioia Ted 2011 The History of Jazz 2nd ed Oxford University Press p 173 Ginell Richard S Jimmy Blanton AllMusic Retrieved August 14 2017 Spencer Frederick J 2002 Jazz and Death University Press of Mississippi Sources Edit Jimmy Blanton African American Almanac 9th ed Gale 2003 Student Resource Center Thomson Gale 11 April 2006 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jimmy Blanton amp oldid 1080677876, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
