The B Flat Blues That Swung ALL OF JAZZ

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The B Flat Blues That Swung ALL OF JAZZ

Рет қаралды 39,885

6 ай бұрын

#bass #jazz #walking #history #analysis #paulthompson
Celebrating the genius of the late, great bassist PERCY HEATH. His nearly 70-year career playing Jazz spanned hundreds of records that included Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Wes Montgomery, the Heath Brothers, the Modern Jazz Quartet, and many, many more.
I'll break down his ICONIC 2-chorus walking bass intro to Miles Davis' "Blue Haze" (1954) and the 6 reasons I love it so much. Join me in celebrating one of the great bassists of Jazz--and one we don't talk about enough!
Check out the original version here: • Blue Haze
Website: www.paulthompso...
Instagram @pdbass74
Twitter @pdbass74

Пікірлер: 189

@Below-Average_Joe 6 ай бұрын

I got meet Mr. Heath when I was in college. The Heath Brothers played a concert at my school and did a clinic earlier in the day. I told Mr. Heath that I played electric and he let me play his bass to try show me how to get a fat tone on acoustic. I failed miserably, but he was very kind to me.

@mikebassy 6 ай бұрын

But you tried and we can always try again . Percy was a gentleman

@brianhamm5220 6 ай бұрын

This is so refreshing after watching the latest chops-filled videos from the recent NAMM show. Percy was a bad-ass. Thank you Paul!

@haysfordays 6 ай бұрын

We are losing the ability to enjoy space in music. At least some of us. There is an exploding fetish with speed.

@pectenmaximus231 6 ай бұрын

The truth. And then one day players will rediscover taste and think they invented it.

@haysfordays 6 ай бұрын

@@pectenmaximus231 100%! And smugness will rue the day!! Lol

@Nikosi9 6 ай бұрын

@@haysfordays The electric fretless boys are always talking about the "Mwah" sound. However, they never let it ring into the next note the way Percy and all those great players of that time did.

@georgesember9069 5 ай бұрын

As a 81 year old failed bass player, I always admired Percy Heath. I only was able to see him once, during a Heath Brothers tour. I did read an article about him once. Thanks for posting your quality essay!!

@TheMisterGriswold 6 ай бұрын

This channel is making my left-hand bass lines on the piano much better. 🎹🎶🤟

@0e0 6 ай бұрын

same!!!

@teuilagracetualaulelei1609 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for bringing our attention to this legend - Percy Heath🥰

@taukhouse44 6 ай бұрын

I used to see him all the time when I lived in Montauk He was an avid fisherman just loved it.A real gentleman

@jfxpals108 6 ай бұрын

Perfect intonation and the deepest groove. I love Percy Heath.

@jonathanj-g-yyelle6144 6 ай бұрын

Classically trained guitarist here! I have been subscribed to your channel for some time. And _everything_ you show us applies, not only to bass, but any instrument one plays. I make the "changes" better than I did before and keep getting better. I bought a bass a little over a year ago to delve into the concepts, grooves I like. And to follow along to your videos. Just did this one tonight. Felt _real good_ ! 😄 Thank you, man! 👍

@LearnJazzBasswithMattRybicki 6 ай бұрын

Paul! Haha my Percy video for "Walkin'" is going public this afternoon. How fortuitous and funny

@dtfoel1230 6 ай бұрын

I watched it after this

@LearnJazzBasswithMattRybicki 6 ай бұрын

Thank you! @@dtfoel1230

@iksajotien 6 ай бұрын

Oh man! You've got additional points for the Miles-impression, fabulous! Percy was a reall cat, a must known for every bass player. Great content as always!

@PedroBellora 6 ай бұрын

Percy Heath is my favourite double-bass player. Thank you so much for this amazing video!!

@georgesember9069 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for posting. As a failed bass player myself, Percy Heath was my favorite. I ended up playing in wedding bands though I did audition with a small combo for Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour back in 1960.

@tommyd9186 6 ай бұрын

Fantastic video! It was well over ten years ago I paid someone £15 for a random box of records. Most of it was trash but it contained a Japanese 70's pressing of Blue Haze. Definitely one of the best records in my collection, that I still own to this day.

@fbaesh 6 ай бұрын

We appreciate any geekness that highlights what's important; thank you for demonstrating what's important for all Bassists 👏👏👏

@eliotmccann2589 6 ай бұрын

The hallmark of genius is how easy it sounds. And as you ably demonstrate here, easy it ain't! Yet again, excellent essay!

@nylesfrench3568 3 ай бұрын

I'm always fascinated and appreciative of the fact that these Titans, came up together. From young Lions to Legends. I love the "Four" album and "Blue Haze" is out there super cool, what a Groove Man. I saw him several times here in New York with MJQ. That was always Special. Later he and his equally Great Bros "The Heath Brothers " played at tge Legendary Grants Tomb, Jazzmobile. Tge Crowd was always Huge, appreciative and the love was reciprocated. That was a Terrific Breakdown on his Blue Haze Masterpiece. He was Playing The Bass.

@Jjfabbonbass 6 ай бұрын

So glad you paid tribute to Percy. I recently transcribed “Solar” and his line is a brilliant composition in itself.

@bebopbonsai 6 ай бұрын

Paul Thompson! Wow!!!! I love your channel, brother! I quit playing drums back in 2019, but you were always one of my favorite cats to play with, and you were always so gracious and happy to play music! You’re the real deal, Paul! Much love ❤️

@pdbass 6 ай бұрын

IAN!! Thanks, my brother! 🙏🏽

@Mr07079Barboy 6 ай бұрын

Saw the MJQ in NY with Tootie. They came out into the crowd to say hello to their friends before playing, and Percy had no guests so he sat at our table and just chatted with us. And he came back between sets. I have a ton of stories from that night, but bottom line was you couldn’t imagine a nicer guy.

@bartlomiejciolkowski4716 6 ай бұрын

Thank You, Sir for constantly expanding my knowledge on thing I was sure I knew almost everything about and for doing this in extremely elegant style. This is next video about a chap I either did not knew or knew very little about. You have no idea how much cats I discovered because you put quality videos out there, I respect your effort especially in times where short form seems to take almost every part of the web. Hats off!

@Don2Rich 6 ай бұрын

I'm a trumpeter so I was hip to it. One of my favorite blues of all time. Thanks for hipping the uninitiated.

@LeeGee 6 ай бұрын

Percy Heath - a genius of groove and subtly

@jean-marcphelippeau5858 6 ай бұрын

I learn so much by listening to your channel. And your enthousiasm is contagious. Thank you so much!

@edge3220 6 ай бұрын

Your passion always opens me up to knew experiences I'd otherwise never of understood. I appreciate that.

@Mike-rw2nh 6 ай бұрын

As a result of this upload, I’m halfway through a 43 minute PH nterview. Thank you for the introduction to this thoroughly charming man. 👍👍👍

@jazzcommando 6 ай бұрын

Sound production and feel are paramount and you've definitely nailed it in this ode to the great Percy Heath. The essence of the jazz bass sound is right here!

@insidejazzguitar8112 6 ай бұрын

Love Percy Heath, thank you!

@ajadrew 6 ай бұрын

I've learnt more about playing in this video than all the others put together, thank you Percy & you Paul for your excellent videos 😊

@Hank-ip8rl 6 ай бұрын

This got me thinking about Willie Dixon's bassline in Going Down Slow. So much space. Everyone gets to stretch their legs.

@darrylperry706 6 ай бұрын

Excellent, Excellent and Bravo! Your content is always impeccable. Percy Heath (that, Baptist Beat) such a solid Bassist!! Great job as always pd.

@JohnHancotte 6 ай бұрын

That is some great early Miles, the Blue Haze album. I have listened to that version of Four many times, being the first and most relaxed recording of it. No saxophone player in the band. Percy deserves more of our attention, so thank you for this episode.

@cisraels 2 ай бұрын

Percy was a prime influence for me. Elegance personified.

@RocknRollkat 6 ай бұрын

Excellent presentation, thank you ! Bill P.

@walteradmiraal7642 6 ай бұрын

love to see you so deeply intrigued when you play .joy

@thaddeuslanders4177 6 ай бұрын

Percy Heath was a legend.....I love these history music lessons,awesome, keep up the good work!!!

@lyndunagan4868 6 ай бұрын

I so appreciate your enthusiasm for the bass and your respect for the musicians. You inspire me!

@evanlucas3 6 ай бұрын

Thank you Paul. You hit the nail on the head with everything, with me especially appreciating your demonstration of the supportive function of the bass, the beauty of simplicity and focus on the instrument’s sweetest range.

@wasteyelo1 6 ай бұрын

Never spotted the engravings on your bass. They look beautiful man.

@mycroft174 6 ай бұрын

i was JUST reading the part in miles autobiography where he talked about then turning the lights off in the studio last night

@dtfoel1230 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the History and the Lessons

@matthw633 6 ай бұрын

……….I love hearing a bass player actually play bass. As the 6 Stringer of this marvelous group I get to learn so much. Today is no different. Thanks Paul !

@terrymiller111 6 ай бұрын

Played with his brother and played the song he dedicated to him: "Big P". Awesome work again, P.

@MilestonesArchive 6 ай бұрын

I was listening to this just two nights ago, marvelling at Heath's relaxed but grooving feel on this piece. You must have read my mind. Excellent post.

@peterg.bassist 6 ай бұрын

Awesome video ❤! I've been playing both electric and upright bass for 52 (fifty-two) years and am especially impressed by your brilliant showcasing of Percy Heath😊 Thank you for sharing this, Sir!

@SO-ym3zs 6 ай бұрын

Love your channel: the knowledge, enthusiasm, and presentation! As a novice rock/pop bassist, I've found the same thing you explain: slow tempi can be as hard as fast ones because there's nowhere to hide. I love playing ballads for that reason. Every little nuance is right up front for all to hear, and you better bring your A game. There's no fudging stuff or hiding behind a wall of loud, fast rock. It makes me really focus on technique fundamentals and feel.

@heirling25 6 ай бұрын

Bravo for covering a tune from one of my all-time favorite albums.

@mdp303 6 ай бұрын

Knew nothing about this before this. This is a great Chanel 😁😁👍

@createlovehappy 6 ай бұрын

Grown folks tempo… love that. I couldn’t help but hear the similarity in the feel of bass line with the song Hazel’s Hips by Oscar Brown Jr. Can you look at that song sometime?

@JazzDuets 6 ай бұрын

superb! thanks

@locolunch 6 ай бұрын

Awesome. I could, and I'm gonna, watch this so many times.

@stephencarter4037 6 ай бұрын

One of my favorite bass players he was at Leftbank alot

@tiebass3734 6 ай бұрын

man i cant get enought of your playing such ruge sound and an incredible timming and swing!

@rillloudmother 6 ай бұрын

w/e i think of percy heath, i wish there were a recording of percy, jimmy and tootie, playing with hank, thad and elvin.

@sirjer73 6 ай бұрын

Wow the Heath Brothers with the Jones Boys, quite a lineup!!!

@Reapwhatsown 6 ай бұрын

Yes sir. I'm realizing too late how I should have exhausted triads to death in my early years. Going back these days and rebuilding this foundation.

@johnreilly9748 6 ай бұрын

YES! Got to see Percy many times when I lived in So. Ca. in the 70s with the Heath Bros and MJQ!

@jlr022159 6 ай бұрын

Absolutely bad ass! Such a great groove and you can hear it “playing the changes”. Loved watching and listening to you play that too!

@theCheesemonger 6 ай бұрын

Love Percy's lines, great to study. Awesome video.

@mikepolioudakis775 6 ай бұрын

Absolutely agree with the whole video. Problem is when you said Percy Heath is often overlooked and now not well known. Argh. Really? Has it really gotten that bad? How can any jazz fan overlook Heath? I do like many players after 1970 but we cannot forget those who came before or who played in a clear non flashy but thoughtful style. You explained it well. They are not only important historically but for their quality, a quality that still holds up against anything. Thanks. Mike

@nickspizza3197 6 ай бұрын

I'm glad you played that that's been my staple for years

@405Lenny 6 ай бұрын

Great video, and nice explanation of what is really important. 👍👍

@jazzbrew68 6 ай бұрын

I'm all over this. Thank you Paul!

@KlemensCathcartBass 6 ай бұрын

One of my favorite episodes so far on this channel. Nice one @pdbass!

@willmonson7730 6 ай бұрын

Thanks.I’m a jazz drummer and I always listen to the bass and get aligned with the player.

@alanhirayama4592 6 ай бұрын

Your time is SO solid! I can feel you subdividing the beat, are you actually doing that in your head? Thanks for sharing!

@jazzbassix2814 6 ай бұрын

When I started playing jazz, I spent a lot of time transcribing. I found Percy Heath among the easist to transcribe becuase of his sound and simplicity.. I owe much to Big "P!"

@patrickmilano7262 6 ай бұрын

You're the best. I love your lessons. Thank you.

@DaddyBooneDon 6 ай бұрын

Those few chords thrown in really spice it up. Great video

@leosmithonbass 6 ай бұрын

i'm here for the miles davis impression

@elenadecortes6394 Ай бұрын

😂❤

@uncertainzee 6 ай бұрын

Thanks! Another exemplary video, I appreciate your clarity and the way you honor all of the musicians you share with us! I am enjoying the bass journey.

@pdbass 6 ай бұрын

Many thanks, Rod!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

@OlandoMcCall 6 ай бұрын

Always good to learn something new. Thank you.

@oobie3049 5 ай бұрын

One song with a mean walking bass line that comes to mind is North by Northeast on Paul Desmond's album Summertime. It's Ron Carter playing the bass and it's one of the smoothest walking bass lines I know.

@wdj935 6 ай бұрын

Can you do a video on Feliciano Arango? His bass playing totally changed modern Cuban music.

@eugenebrandon3914 6 ай бұрын

Percy was a good friend of my father's, we used to visit him at his modest home near Montauk Point back in the sixties and seventies. Was at the Light House with my family some years back when I noticed a plaque dedicated to this long time Montauk resident and jazz legend. Most of these cats were the most down to earth brothers you could ever have imagined. There was no cult of personality or celebrity in this circle.

@Me-zt8gy 6 ай бұрын

I got a chance to play bass with his brother Jimmy in college. Also got to attend a masterclass with brother Tootie. Two awesome, swinging cats.

@jazzfan7491 6 ай бұрын

Such a great player

@SeattleSpursFan1882 6 ай бұрын

This is fantastic. Thank you, Sir!

@allpass91 6 ай бұрын

Thank you Paul! I really enjoy this video a lot. Like and shared.

@bluecrueful 6 ай бұрын

A great one! Thanks!!

@whatsgoingon71 6 ай бұрын

That Miles voice killed me. 🤣

@bandicoot5412 5 ай бұрын

The Percy Heath solid foundation. Great informative prestation, thank you!

@JaredPlane 6 ай бұрын

Great video! Percy Heath has always been one of my favorite bass players. :)

@boybass1811 6 ай бұрын

From Japan 私は、高校生の頃、Wes MontgomeryのD-Natural bluesを聴きMr.HeathのBluesコードの解釈とサポートの上手さに驚嘆しました。あれ以来、Mr.Heathは、私は最初期のJAZZ studio musicianの憧れでした。数々の大物とセッションし音源を残し晩年は若手をサポートしたりと柔軟なbassistだったと思います。Mr.Ron Carterを聴きますと時々Mr.Heathのフレーズが出ているようで微笑んでしまうのは私だけでしょうか。Mr.Heathを取り上げて解説していただき厚く御礼申し上げます。

@dougchapman-ew7jc 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for turning me on to this!

@MrBassflute 6 ай бұрын

Great video as always. Again, thank you, and stay well!

@MG-vo7is 6 ай бұрын

This is great. Thank you.

@Andrew_M_Ward 6 ай бұрын

Agreed: Slowing down is much more difficult because 1) Note choice 2) timing and phrasing 3) and Space / those are all where the magic happens

@mikebassy 6 ай бұрын

Nice video again . Percy was always one of favourite bass players. Peter Washington recently told me Percy used the set of strings ADGC tuned to EADG in the 1990s which is something I always wondered about . Met Percy at Ronnie Scott’s in 1999 and he let me play on his cello . Great nights hearing the Heath Brothers , my mum loved the MJQ . Me too ! Saw them in concert in 1985 ? I owe my mum a lot and should play my upright because it would make her happy . Percy Heath is a class act , a top level man . Just uploaded a take of me playing Body and Soul , found a cassette from 20 years ago . Thank you Paul

@zmix 6 ай бұрын

No doubt about it.

@badscrew4023 6 ай бұрын

Back in college, transcribing Percy Heat’s lines was required homework after walking bass introduction :)

@badscrew4023 6 ай бұрын

His sound is THE definition of walking bass for me ever since. This is that.

@aaronteague8050 6 ай бұрын

Big thanks Paul

@haeuptlingaberja4927 6 ай бұрын

Yes, the challenge of the slow tempo. This is actually what I loved most about Stanley's insane first solo album. The high octane, power-funk of Power juxtaposed with the Bill Withers-chill of Vulcan Princess (also played on Percy"s instrument.) Thanks again, my friend. I look forward to everything you do.

@xRisingForcex 6 ай бұрын

what a genuinely refreshing and earnest exposition of this oft-overlooked man's brilliance. top-shelf content, seasoned presentation!

@richardsrensen4219 6 ай бұрын

love this no big ego just be a serve for the Music

@MamaRii73 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!!❤❤

@JohnHighSax 6 ай бұрын

I still have the book I purchased from Brother Jimmy Heath with all the Heath Brothers autographs and Stanley Cowell's. Yes, they did a workshop at the Wisconsin Conservatory Of Music when I was a student there. I asked lots of questions. Percy Heath told me at that time his bass was valued at four hundred thousand.