Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, Featuring Ray Brown: One Bass Hit
There are so many players I get inspired by, but whenever someone asks me who my favorite bass player is, I always say “Ray Brown”. His groove, technique, melodicism, and swagger always captivates me, so I was pumped to find this clip of him featured with Dizzy Gillespie’s Orchestra in 1947.
At a mere 21 years of age, you can really hear his early influences, namely the great Jimmy Blanton.
The video, taken from the movie Jivin’ In Be-Bop, has some pretty obvious editing mistakes, but Brown’s solid bass work is undeniable.
Poor Ray, trying his best to mimic the recording he made. Still fantastic to watch!
Excellent!