Bass Players to Know: Bob Cranshaw

Bob Cranshaw

One of my favorite pastimes is reading album credits. Who played on that song? This guy did the whole record! They were also the backing band for those guys! It’s music trivia galore and these discoveries are sweet little surprises that build the timeline of music history. It’s often fun to play guessing games, to hone your ear to particular players’ styles and attempt to pinpoint exactly who did what—before cheating and looking at the album notes. If you’re looking for a great catalogue of music to play the “who recorded that?” game, I highly recommend Paul Simon. An incredible array of bass players have played on his records, from Joe Osborn to Bakithi Kumalo, Pino Palladino to Abraham Laboriel, Ron Carter, David Hood, and, the latest bass player to know, Bob Cranshaw.

Known for both his upright and electric chops, Cranshaw was well established in the New York session scene. He recorded most of the music for Sesame Street, held down the bass chair with the Saturday Night Live Band and various Broadway shows, and has played with an astounding number of jazz legends. Sonny Rollins, Lee Morgan, Horace Silver, Buddy Rich, you name it; I can hardly think of a better bass player to know.

So Who Is Bob Cranshaw?

Born in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, Cranshaw grew up in a particularly musical family. His father a jazz drummer, Cranshaw and his siblings all took to music at a young age. With experience playing piano, drums, and percussion, he made his way to the bass chair in high school orchestra. Following his studies at Bradley University and military service in Korea, he returned to Chicago to play with various groups, including the quintet MJT + 3 alongside drummer and friend, Walter Perkins. By the early 1960s, Cranshaw finally made his way to New York City to play with Cannonball Adderley, Carmen McRae, and Sonny Rollins, among others. Quickly establishing himself in the jazz community during the glory days of Blue Note Records, he played alongside Lee Morgan, Jimmy Smith, Joe Zawinul, Horace Silver, Shirley Scott, Freddie Hubbard, George Benson, Duke Pearson, Buddy Rich, Dexter Gordon, and countless others.

In addition to his work in the jazz community, Cranshaw often found himself on other session dates, lending his bass lines to records by Paul Simon, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, Quincy Jones, the music of Sesame Street, the Dick Cavett show, Broadway shows, and the early years of Saturday Night Live. As a member of the musical community, Cranshaw continues to be an active participant of the musicians union, the New York chapter of the AFM. A true advocate for musicians, he has worked with various committees, served on the Executive Board, and continues to help players and their loved ones receive the pensions they deserve.

Let’s Talk Style

The greatest instrumentalists have one thing in common: their ability to communicate through the language of music. Jazz is a particularly emotive and discussion based genre, where the recordings tend to capture the essence of a conversation as much as they do the interpretation of a song. As a bass player, Cranshaw has a keen understanding of when to speak up, when to listen, and when to insert a humorous anecdote. He helps guide the conversation by keeping the band on task, whether he’s elegantly moving through walking changes or keeping a steady groove. He voices his opinion when asked, either in the form of a solo, an exhibition of chops, or with a perfectly timed fill. His execution sounds natural as can be, whether he’s jumping from the higher strings to the lower register with a descending string rake or adding a complex, syncopated fill to a funkier tune.

His extensive recording career spans from roughly 1960 to 1990, where the eclecticism of his credits reflect his diverse musical palette and sophistication as a player. Thanks to his stylistic versatility, ability to mimic and respond to other instruments, and fluency on upright and electric, he can cater his playing to whatever the producer desires. Cranshaw sports the theory knowledge of a jazz master, the groove and soul of a meat-and-potatoes player, and the personality of someone you’d simply want to be around.

Where Can I Hear Him?

“The Bridge” (Sonny Rollins: The Bridge)

Sonny Rollins: The BridgeThe title track of this record features Cranshaw switching back and forth between a brisk walking line and a syncopated Latin influenced groove to match the drummers’ accents. Cranshaw’s bass line provides harmonic context and form for the band, complimenting the swing of the ride and outlining the chords throughout the solo sections. His timing is spot on and as the rest of the band drops out for a bass solo, he maintains a strong and complex walking line that shines all on its on. I urge you to continue listening to this record, as the ballad “God Bless The Child” acts as a wonderful change of pace with a sparse and beautiful upright bass introduction.

Listen: iTunes | Amazon MP3

“Idle Moments” (Grant Green: Idle Moments)

Grant Green: Idle MomentsA fantastic primer for playing a melancholy ballad, Cranshaw’s tone is phenomenal, serving as the table for the other players to converse around. His note duration and execution is impeccable; it clearly defines the rhythm while highlighting the roots and color tones of the chords. A master of chromatic motion, he often creates tension by landing a half step above the next chord and then resolving to the new root. With triplet fills in the higher register and descending string rakes, he injects just enough variation to make his presence known but not overwhelming.

Listen: iTunes | Amazon MP3

“American Tune” (Paul Simon: There Goes Rhymin’ Simon)

Paul Simon: There Goes Rhymin' SimonA delightful study in counterpoint, Cranshaw’s bass line acts like the shadow walking alongside Simon’s chord changes. While he often provides the root, he finds just the right moment to favor the inversion of the chord or jump registers. His tone is comforting and sonorous, a soft blanket offering warmth to the lyrics and foundation for the rest of the strings.

Listen: iTunes | Amazon MP3

How about you? What’s your favorite tune or album with Bob Cranshaw? Please share with us in the comments.

Ryan Madora is a professional bass player, author, and educator living in Nashville, TN. In addition to touring and session work, she teaches private lessons and masterclasses to students of all levels. Visit her website to learn more!

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Leave a Reply to Bob Cotter Cancel reply

  1. Lee Morgan: “The Sidewinder”

  2. Bob Cotter

    Wow, finally! Bob Cranshaw is one of my all-time favorites and a big influence on me in the early years of my bass playing. I would see and hear him down at among other clubs, Boomer’s and Bradley’s. I started out playing jazz on electric bass and he was one of the few “big guys” who did. I later found out that he focused on the electric after an accident which hindered his upright playing. He was always open and ready to talk between sets. Bob Cranshaw is a great bassist and a beautiful person. The 70’s and 80’s were a fantastic time for jazz in NYC. We were up close and personal with the Giants of Jazz in the small club environment. Thank you Bob.

  3. https://www.gofundme.com/bobcranshaw

    Bob Cranshaw has touched the hearts and souls of thousands of people across the globe with his music, his generosity and his kindness. The marks he has made during his decorated lifetime are engraved for eternity in the journals of Jazz and in the hearts and minds of so many people around the world.

    Bob is bravely battling stage 4 cancer that is aggressive and relentless. While his family is eternally grateful to The Jazz Foundation of America for their generosity and support, he and his family now need 24/7 care.

    Many of you have offered help, so now is the time and here is the way you can give back to this wonderful man who has given us all so much.

    Time is of the essence. If you wish to make a donation please do so today. Funds will be used immediately for the 24/7 home care that will provide comfort and support to both Bob and Bobbie.

    Thank you and god bless!

  4. Dana G Scott

    Lee Morgan’s The Sidewinder created a whole subgenre and Bob C’s bass hook is essential to its success, the biggest record on Blue Note while it was an independent run by its founders.