By Thomas Semioli

A master supportive and countermelodic player with an earthy tone, Jimmy Garrison is most noted for his 1961-66 association with John Coltrane – especially A Love Supreme (1965) wherein his repetitive opening motif is among the most recognized bass passages in recorded music.

Garrison came to prominence on the Philadelphia jazz scene in the 1960s, where such bassists as Reggie Workman and Henry Grimes were his peers.  Garrison would eventually go on to replace Workman in Coltrane’s ensembles.  Jimmy also waxed sides with Ornette Coleman: Ornette on Tenor (1962), New York Is Now (1968), Love Call (1968) and The Art of Improvisors (recorded 1959 and released in 1970).

A composer and collaborative recording artist with Elvin Jones, Garrison provided the solid anchor for his soloist’s harmonic and rhythmic explorations. Aside from Trane and Ornette, Jimmy waxed exceptional sides with Archie Shepp, Sonny Rollins, Bill Evans, Larry Coryell, and Alice Coltrane, to cite a few.      

Jimmy Garrison Sound & Vision…

John Coltrane “A Love Supreme” Pt. 1 “Acknowledgement” https://youtu.be/TMvbUKqWYEs

Ornette Coleman “Cross Breeding” https://youtu.be/7Z70ajQNMJg

Alice Coltrane “Lovely Sky Boat” https://youtu.be/rhmwChxResw

Sonny Rollins “East Broadway Rundown” https://youtu.be/-hHXhnKEmpM

The Elvin Jones Trio live with Jimmy Garrison and Joe Farrell https://youtu.be/p1FlNbFc3EM

Elvin Jones and Jimmy Garrison “Half and Half” https://youtu.be/5iT53h0iHww

Courtesy of Richard Davis Com

As one of the world’s premier bass players, Davis’s music has touched the lives of countless fans, and his teaching has inspired generations of students in the classroom as well as with the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists, Inc., which provides musical instruction for financially challenged youth. While the jazz master and professor could’ve ended his renowned biography there, his passion for social justice, for the healing of racism, has changed the lives of those who have accepted his invitation to open their hearts, minds and spirits to the history and pathology of racism within.” Neil Heinen,  Madison Magazine

A master jazz and classical bassist (Leonard Bernstein), solo recording artist, composer, collaborator, and educator at the University of Wisconsin in Madison; Richard Davis’ body of work as sideman span important, watershed recordings by Eric Dolphy, Ahmad Jamal, Kenny Burrell, Tony Williams, Andrew Hill, Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra, George Benson, Stan Getz, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and Billy Cobham to cite a select few.

Davis began his career as a bassist in high school. A member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, Richard migrated to New York City in the 1950s, and anchored Sarah Vaughan’s ensembles. 

Richard served as the rhythmic and melodic foil for Van Morrison on one pop music’s greatest recordings, Astral Weeks (1968).  He also worked with pop artists Bruce Springsteen, Laura Nyro, and Frank Sinatra. In 1977 Davis commenced his career as a jazz instructor at University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Richard Davis Sound & Vision….

Van Morrison “Madame George” https://youtu.be/FjSzsu9y9gY

Bruce Springsteen “Meeting Across the River” https://youtu.be/c6OAtvjSf1Y

Richard Davis / Elvin Jones “Shiny Stockings” https://youtu.be/FTnrNqCoFeQ

Richard Davis “What’d Ya Say” https://youtu.be/s_d1GIsXmDM

Richard Davis “Now’s The Time” https://youtu.be/0JdvW-1g3-4

Eric Dolphy “Something Sweet Something Tender” https://youtu.be/rUNDPUIac4E