Instant Funk and the Bass Line That Survived Disco
First, I’m fixing a mistake from my last video and diving into the actual bassist from “Life On Mars” – Raymond Earl.
This episode dives into this incredible band from New Jersey (Instant Funk) and their prolific run in the 1970s backing up the greatest singers of the disco era.
I’ll break down Earl’s most famous bass line, what makes it so good, and how a disco hit (Evelyn “Champagne” King’s “Shame”) lived long past the genre in which it was born.
Paul Thompson has been playing bass professionally for over 30 years, including recording and touring stints with trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. Recent playing credits include Bob Reynolds, John Pizzarelli, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, and Bob James, among others. Currently, he can be seen playing in and around the Pittsburgh, PA area with the THOTH Trio, the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, and many other musicians in the city's rich Jazz community. An educator of over 25 years, Paul currently teaches Jazz Bass at Duquesne University, West Virginia University, and his alma mater, Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 Performing Arts School.
Connect with Paul on Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, and his website.
