James Jamerson

January 29, 1936 – August 2, 1983

Born: Edisto Island, South Carolina

You may not have ever heard the name James Jamerson before, but trust me, you have heard James Jamerson more times than you can count.  Jamerson was a member of the legendary Funk Brothers, the group of session players who played on all of Motown’s songs from the early 1960’s to the early 1970’s.  Through that time Jamerson was the bassist on the majority of Motown’s hits.  If his name is not immediately recognizable to you it may be due to the fact that until the release of Marvin Gaye’s album “What’s Going On” in 1971, Motown did not list musicians in their album credits. 

Jamerson originally played the upright bass but eventually became known for his playing and sound on the Fender Precision Bass.  His bass was strung with flatwounds that were rarely if ever changed and he used a unique single finger technique on both instruments that he called “The Hook.”  Jamerson’s Precision Bass had the pickup cover installed and he would play all of his notes in front of the pickguard with his index finger.  He also placed a piece of foam under the strings at the bridge of his bass to act as a mute.  Pino Palladino has cited Jamerson as one of his biggest influences and consequently, Jamerson’s name became more familiar after the release of D’Angelo’s album “Voodoo” in 2000, which featured Palladino playing a number of Fender Precision Basses with flatwounds and an extremely laid back groove. 

Jamerson is often referred to as the originator of modern bass and one listen through any Motown playlist will tell you why.  His sense of groove and ability to play around the melody, complimenting it but never stepping on it is rarely matched to this day.  Over the course of his career as a session musician, Jamerson played on over 50 R&B number 1 hits and 100 Billboard Hot 100 Hits.  To this day he is considered to be one of the greatest bass players of all time and by many, many people, the Greatest of All Time.

Interesting Facts:

• During the recording of “What’s Going On”, Marvin Gaye wanted to get the song tracked late at night.  He ended up tracking James down at a nightclub, completely drunk and bringing him back to the studio.  Jamerson was too drunk to sit on his usual high stool to play so he ended up playing the entire song while lying on his back with another musician holding the sheet music up for him to read.  While lying flat on his back drunk, Jamerson managed to record one of the greatest basslines of all time, a list on which he has many.
• Jamerson, like many other Motown session musicians also played on many other tracks outside of Motown.  Jamerson’s off Motown work includes tracks with: Jackie Wilson, Eloise Laws, Joan Baez, The Pointer Sisters and many more.  For a fairly complete and ever-increasing discography: https://ricksuchow.com/james-jamerson-complete-discography
• Jamerson dubbed his 1962 Fender Precision Bass “The Funk Machine” and carved the word “Funk” on the heel of the bass.

Our Top 5 Jamerson Basslines:

• What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye – from the album “What’s Going On”
• For Once In My Life – Stevie Wonder – from the album “For Once In My Life”
• Standing in the Shadows of Love – The Jackson 5 – from the album “Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5”
• Mutiny – Jr. Walker and the All Stars – from the album “Road Runner”
• Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell – from the album “You’re All I Need”

Must Watch:

• Standing In The Shadows of Motown – Documentary by Allan Slutsky – 2002

Essential Reading:

• Standing In the Shadows of Motown – The Life and Music of Legendary Motown Bassist James Jamerson – Allan Slutsky – 1989

Quotes:

• “If you don’t feel it, don’t play it.”
• “The dirt keeps the funk.”