Paul Chambers

Intrigued by low instruments from an early age, Paul Chambers learned music on the baritone saxophone and tuba before turning to the double bass. After training with Donald Byrd, it was guitarist Kenny Burrell who offered him his first major contract in the late '40s, when he was just 14. He was then hired by Paul Quinichette in the mid-50s. Before playing with Miles Davis, when he became the bassist in his historic first quintet, he had the opportunity to play with other leaders including trombonist J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding, Benny Green and Geoge Wallington, with whom he performed on the very night Miles Davis heard him for the first time. Davis immediately recruited him, and this experience with the trumpeter enabled him to join the most prestigious rhythm section of the time. He met pianists Red Garland and Wynton Kelly, as well as drummers Art Taylor and Philly Joe Jones. Other leaders naturally crossed his path, with whom he recorded memorable sessions: Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Julian "cannonball" Adderley and Bill Evans were, of course, among them. He stayed with Miles Davis for almost ten years, during which time he contributed to the leader's impressive recording output and international tours. Shortly before leaving Miles Davis, he formed his own trio with two of the trumpeter's other musicians, Wynton Kelly and Jimmy Cobb. At the same time, he played in other bands, but sadly died of tuberculosis at the age of 34. Inspired by this emblematic bassist of the '50s and '60s, often presented as Oscar Pettiford's rival, John Coltrane wrote a theme in his honor, named after his initials: Mr P.C.

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