This is my first time adding a transcription product with more than one bass player. Normally I try to avoid those albums but this one is too good to pass up. Curley Russell famously played with Miles, Bird, Dizzy, and almost all the great beboppers of the 1940’s and 50’s. It’s hard to find as much of his recorded work as one would like. His career essentially ended by 1960 as he quit music all together.

Percy Heath was another stalwart of the bebop scene. We’re lucky to have much of his recorded work available as he performed regularly throughout his nearly 5 decade career. For this album, Russell/Blakey are on tracks 1-4 and Heath/Jones are on 5-7. ( I didn’t transcribe #7 as it is an alt take of track #6 “Think of One”)

There are no bass solos on this album but students of jazz bass would do well to lock into the groove with Art Blakey and Willie Jones. Understanding Monk is a lifelong process and this album is a great place to hone said craft. I hope you enjoy.