WKCR Tribute To John Coltrane
March, 2004
"The Bassists"
RealAudio > CDR

Disc One:
Earl May WKCR interview 19march04 48:57 min 

Disc Two:
Art Davis WKCR interview 24march04 58:12 min 

Disc Three:
Reggie Workman WKCR interview 20march04 

Earl May began his career in 1949 in New York City and honed his craft in places like Minton’s Playhouse with musicians such as Lester Young and Mercer Ellington. He was also a protégé of the legendary Charles Mingus. In 1951, Earl joined the Billy Taylor Trio, appearing regularly in such clubs as the Hickory House, Birdland and the Downbeat Club. During this period, Earl also worked with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and recorded the classics “Lush Life” and "'Trane's Slow Blues" with John Coltrane. 

Art Davis was also the lead bassist of choice for John Coltrane and Dizzy Gillespie in the 1960s, featured on such ambitious works as Coltrane's "Africa," "Ascension," and "Ole" as well as on the "Gillespiana Suite" (written for Dizzy by Lalo Schifrin). Dr. Art Davis's innovative arco (bowed) technique in these contexts has influenced countless Jazz bassists since the early 1960s. 

Reggie Workman has long been one of the most technically gifted of all bassists, a brilliant player whose versatile style fits into both hard bop and very avant-garde settings. He played piano, tuba, and euphonium early on but settled on bass in the mid-'50s. After working regularly with Gigi Gryce (1958), Red Garland, and Roy Haynes, he was a member of the John Coltrane Quartet for much of 1961, participating in several important recordings and even appearing with Coltrane and Eric Dolphy on a half-hour West German television show that is currently available on video (The Coltrane Legacy). After Jimmy Garrison took his place with Coltrane, Workman became a member of Art Blakey's Jazz .........