Paul Laurence Dunbar Chambers Jr. (April 22, 1935 – January 4, 1969) was an American jazz double bassist. He was a common member of rhythm sections during the 1950s and 1960s and became one of the most well-known jazz bassists of the hard bop era. He was also recognized for his bowed solos. Chambers recorded about a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, and more than 100 as a sideman. He was especially important as the key member of trumpeter Miles Davis’s "first great quintet" (1955–63) and worked with pianist Wynton Kelly (1963–68).

Biography

He was born on April 22, 1935, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Paul Lawrence Chambers and Margaret Echos. After his mother passed away, he was raised in Detroit, Michigan. He began playing music with classmates using the baritone horn. Later, he played the tuba. "I did okay, but it is hard to carry the instrument during long parades, and I did not enjoy it much," he said.

Bass playing

Chambers began playing the double bass around 1949. He started his serious training in 1952 when he took private lessons with Gaston Brohan, the main bass player of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Chambers also played classical music with a group called the Detroit String Band. He attended Cass Technical High School sometimes between 1952 and 1955. During this time, he played in the school's symphony and other student groups, including one where he played the baritone saxophone.

When he moved to New York City at the invitation of saxophonist Paul Quinichette, Chambers already knew how to play many instruments. In jazz music, bass players often only kept time with drums until the 1930s, when Duke Ellington’s bassist Jimmy Blanton changed how the instrument was used. Chambers was about 15 years old when he began listening to Charlie Parker and Bud Powell, who were his first jazz influences. He admired Oscar Pettiford and Ray Brown first, then later respected Percy Heath, Milt Hinton, and Wendell Marshall for their work in rhythm sections. He also admired Charles Mingus and George Duvivier for their technical skill and efforts to expand jazz bass. Jimmy Blanton was Chambers’ favorite bassist of all time.

First performance on bass

From 1954 to 1955, he became well-known by touring with musicians like Bennie Green, Quinichette, George Wallington, J. J. Johnson, and Kai Winding. In 1955, he joined the Miles Davis quintet. The next year, he won the DownBeat "New Star Award." Chambers remained with the group until 1963 and appeared on many classic albums, including Kind of Blue. One of his most famous performances was on the album's first track, "So What," which begins with a short duet between Chambers and pianist Bill Evans. From 1963 to 1966, Chambers played with Wynton Kelly's trio. Throughout his career, he often worked as a supporting musician for other artists.

Personal life

Chambers became addicted to alcohol and heroin. In late 1968, he was taken to the hospital because doctors thought he had a serious flu. However, tests showed he actually had tuberculosis. As his organs became weaker, he fell into a coma for 18 days. Experts think his drug use may have made his health problems worse. He died from tuberculosis on January 4, 1969, when he was 33 years old.

Influence

Paul Chambers played the bass in two rhythm sections during his time in the Davis band. The first group included Red Garland on piano and Philly Joe Jones on drums. This group became known as "the rhythm section," a name used on a famous album by saxophonist Art Pepper titled Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section. The second group worked with Wynton Kelly on piano and Jimmy Cobb on drums. This team recorded many albums together, including projects with John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery, and albums released under Wynton Kelly's name, such as Kelly Blue.

Paul Chambers was highly respected as a session musician, playing on many important recordings. These included albums like Brilliant Corners by Thelonious Monk, Giant Steps by John Coltrane, and The Blues and the Abstract Truth by Oliver Nelson. Several musicians wrote songs in his honor. Red Garland composed "The P.C. Blues," and John Coltrane wrote a song titled "Mr. P.C." Tommy Flanagan created "Big Paul," which was performed on a 1958 Prestige Records album featuring Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane. Max Roach wrote a drum solo called "Five For Paul" for a 1977 drum solo album recorded in Japan. Sonny Rollins also wrote a song titled "Paul's Pal" for him. In the world of alternative rock, Jim Creeggan, the bassist for Barenaked Ladies, wrote a song titled "Paul Chambers" for the band's 2021 album Detour de Force.

In an interview, fellow bassist Charlie Haden shared his admiration for Chambers.

Discography

• Chambers' Music (Jazz: West, 1956)
• Whims of Chambers (Blue Note, 1957)
• Bass on Top (Blue Note, 1957)
• Paul Chambers Group of Five Musicians (Blue Note, 1958)
• We Three (New Jazz, 1959) featuring Roy Haynes and Phineas Newborn Jr.
• Go (Vee-Jay, 1959)
• 1st Bass Player (Vee-Jay, 1960)