Paul Chambers - Revision history

imported>Derek R Bullamore: Added reference and minor clean-up

2025-10-14T10:15:33Z

Added reference and minor clean-up

← Previous revision		Revision as of 10:15, 14 October 2025
Line 25:		Line 25:

	==Biography==		==Biography==
	Born in [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania, on April 22, 1935, to Paul Lawrence Chambers and Margaret Echos, he was brought up in Detroit, Michigan, following the death of his mother.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.jazz.com/encyclopedia/chambers-paul-laurence-dunbar-jr\|title=Chambers, Paul (Laurence Dunbar, Jr.)\|publisher=jazz.com\|access-date=November 9, 2013\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110194115/http://www.jazz.com/encyclopedia/chambers-paul-laurence-dunbar-jr\|archive-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref> He began playing music with several of his schoolmates on the [[baritone horn]].<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /> Later he took up the tuba.		Born in [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania, on April 22, 1935,<ref name="LarkinJazz"/> to Paul Lawrence Chambers and Margaret Echos, he was brought up in Detroit, Michigan, following the death of his mother.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.jazz.com/encyclopedia/chambers-paul-laurence-dunbar-jr\|title=Chambers, Paul (Laurence Dunbar, Jr.)\|publisher=jazz.com\|access-date=November 9, 2013\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110194115/http://www.jazz.com/encyclopedia/chambers-paul-laurence-dunbar-jr\|archive-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref> He began playing music with several of his schoolmates on the [[baritone horn]].<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /> Later he took up the tuba.<ref name="LarkinJazz"/> "I got along pretty well, but it's quite a job to carry it around in those long parades, and I didn't like the instrument that much".{{citation needed\|date=October 2025}}
	"I got along pretty well, but it's quite a job to carry it around in those long parades, and I didn't like the instrument that much".

	==Bass playing==		==Bass playing==
Line 35:		Line 34:

	==First performance on bass==		==First performance on bass==
	From 1954 on through 1955, he gained significance touring with such musicians as [[Bennie Green]], Quinichette, [[George Wallington]], [[J. J. Johnson]] and [[Kai Winding]]. In 1955, he joined the [[Miles Davis]] quintet, and he was awarded the ''[[DownBeat]]'' "New Star Award" the following year.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.wncu.org/artist-of-the-month/paul-chambers \|title=Artist of the Month: Paul Chambers \|website=WNCU 90.7 Jazz \|access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref> Chambers stayed with the group until 1963, and he appeared on many classic albums, including ''[[Kind of Blue]]''.<ref name="JohnDavis-2012" /> One of Chambers' most noted performances was on that album's first track, "[[So What (composition)\|So What]]", which opens with a brief [[duet]] featuring Chambers and pianist [[Bill Evans]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/01/04/10862796/miles-davis-kind-of-blue\|title=Miles Davis: 'Kind of Blue'\|date=August 1, 2001 \|publisher=[[NPR]] \|access-date=November 9, 2013}}</ref> From 1963 until ~~1968~~, Chambers played with [[Wynton Kelly]]'s trio. He freelanced frequently as a sideman for many others throughout his career.		From 1954 on through 1955, he gained significance touring with such musicians as [[Bennie Green]], Quinichette, [[George Wallington]], [[J. J. Johnson]] and [[Kai Winding]].<ref name="LarkinJazz"/> In 1955, he joined the [[Miles Davis]] quintet, and he was awarded the ''[[DownBeat]]'' "New Star Award" the following year.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.wncu.org/artist-of-the-month/paul-chambers \|title=Artist of the Month: Paul Chambers \|website=WNCU 90.7 Jazz \|access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref> Chambers stayed with the group until 1963,<ref name="LarkinJazz"/> and he appeared on many classic albums, including ''[[Kind of Blue]]''.<ref name="JohnDavis-2012" /> One of Chambers' most noted performances was on that album's first track, "[[So What (composition)\|So What]]", which opens with a brief [[duet]] featuring Chambers and pianist [[Bill Evans]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/01/04/10862796/miles-davis-kind-of-blue\|title=Miles Davis: 'Kind of Blue'\|date=August 1, 2001 \|publisher=[[NPR]] \|access-date=November 9, 2013}}</ref> From 1963 until 1966, Chambers played with [[Wynton Kelly]]'s trio.<ref name="LarkinJazz"/> He freelanced frequently as a sideman for many others throughout his career.

	==Personal life==		==Personal life==
	Chambers developed addictions to both [[alcohol (drug)\|alcohol]] and heroin. He was hospitalized at the end of 1968 with what was thought to be a severe case of influenza, but tests revealed that he had [[tuberculosis]]. As his organ functions deteriorated, Chambers lapsed into a coma for 18 days. It is believed his addictions to heroin and alcohol contributed to his health problems.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/jazz/modern-era/paul-chambers\|title=Paul Chambers - Pittsburgh Music History\|via=Google Sites\|access-date=January 25, 2020\|archive-date=October 31, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031151435/https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/jazz/modern-era/paul-chambers\|url-status=dead}}</ref> On January 4, 1969, he died of tuberculosis ~~aged~~ 33.<ref name="JohnDavis-2012" />		Chambers developed addictions to both [[alcohol (drug)\|alcohol]] and heroin.<ref name="LarkinJazz"/> He was hospitalized at the end of 1968 with what was thought to be a severe case of influenza, but tests revealed that he had [[tuberculosis]]. As his organ functions deteriorated, Chambers lapsed into a coma for 18 days. It is believed his addictions to heroin and alcohol contributed to his health problems.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/jazz/modern-era/paul-chambers\|title=Paul Chambers - Pittsburgh Music History\|via=Google Sites\|access-date=January 25, 2020\|archive-date=October 31, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031151435/https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/jazz/modern-era/paul-chambers\|url-status=dead}}</ref> On January 4, 1969, he died of tuberculosis at the age of 33.<ref name="JohnDavis-2012" />

	==Influence==		==Influence==
	From his role in the Davis band, Chambers was the bassist in two rhythm sections. The first, with [[Red Garland]] on piano and [[Philly Joe Jones]] on drums, came to be known as "the rhythm section", that name featured on a celebrated album by saxophonist [[Art Pepper]], ''[[Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section]]''. The second, with Wynton Kelly and [[Jimmy Cobb]], made many sessions as a unit, recording albums with [[John Coltrane]], [[Wes Montgomery]], and by themselves under Kelly's name on albums such as ''[[Kelly Blue]]''.		From his role in the Davis band, Chambers was the bassist in two rhythm sections. The first, with [[Red Garland]] on piano and [[Philly Joe Jones]] on drums, came to be known as "the rhythm section", that name featured on a celebrated album by saxophonist [[Art Pepper]], ''[[Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section]]''. The second, with Wynton Kelly and [[Jimmy Cobb]], made many sessions as a unit, recording albums with [[John Coltrane]], [[Wes Montgomery]], and by themselves under Kelly's name on albums such as ''[[Kelly Blue]]''.

	Paul Chambers was in great demand as a [[session musician]],<ref name="JohnDavis-2012" /> and played on numerous albums including such landmarks as [[Thelonious Monk]]'s ''[[Brilliant Corners]]'', Coltrane's ''[[Giant Steps (album)\|Giant Steps]]'', and [[Oliver Nelson]]'s ''[[The Blues and the Abstract Truth]]''. Many musicians wrote songs dedicated to Chambers. Red Garland wrote the tune "The P.C. Blues", and Coltrane's song "[[Mr. P.C.]]" is named after Chambers. [[Tommy Flanagan (musician)\|Tommy Flanagan]] wrote "Big Paul", which was performed on the [[Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane]] Prestige 1958 [[LP album\|LP]]. [[Max Roach]] wrote a drum solo called "Five For Paul", on a 1977 drum solo LP recorded in Japan, and [[Sonny Rollins]] wrote "Paul's Pal" for him as well. In the world of alternative rock, [[Barenaked Ladies]] bass player [[Jim Creeggan]] wrote the song "Paul Chambers" for their 2021 album ''[[Detour de Force]]''.		Paul Chambers was in great demand as a [[session musician]],<ref name="JohnDavis-2012" /> and played on numerous albums including such landmarks as [[Thelonious Monk]]'s ''[[Brilliant Corners]]'', Coltrane's ''[[Giant Steps (album)\|Giant Steps]]'', and [[Oliver Nelson]]'s ''[[The Blues and the Abstract Truth]]''. Many musicians wrote songs dedicated to Chambers. Red Garland wrote the tune "The P.C. Blues", and Coltrane's song "[[Mr. P.C.]]" is named after Chambers.<ref name="LarkinJazz"/> [[Tommy Flanagan (musician)\|Tommy Flanagan]] wrote "Big Paul", which was performed on the [[Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane]] Prestige 1958 [[LP album\|LP]]. [[Max Roach]] wrote a drum solo called "Five For Paul", on a 1977 drum solo LP recorded in Japan, and [[Sonny Rollins]] wrote "Paul's Pal" for him as well. In the world of alternative rock, [[Barenaked Ladies]] bass player [[Jim Creeggan]] wrote the song "Paul Chambers" for their 2021 album ''[[Detour de Force]]''.

	In an interview, fellow bassist [[Charlie Haden]] recalled his admiration for Chambers:		In an interview, fellow bassist [[Charlie Haden]] recalled his admiration for Chambers:

2600:1700:E530:FCF0:31D9:E9F2:11F8:2FD2: /* Discography */

2025-06-10T16:21:01Z

Discography

← Previous revision		Revision as of 16:21, 10 June 2025
Line 22:		Line 22:
	}}		}}

	'''Paul Laurence Dunbar Chambers Jr.''' (April 22, 1935 – January 4, 1969)<ref name="LarkinJazz">{{cite book\|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music\|The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz]]\|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)\|Colin Larkin]]\|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]\|date=1992\|edition=First\|isbn=0-85112-580-8\|page=82/3}}</ref> was an American [[jazz]] [[double bassist]]. A fixture of [[rhythm section]]s during the 1950s and 1960s, he has become one of the most widely-known jazz bassists of the [[hard bop]] era.<ref name=ALLMUSIC>{{cite web \|url={{AllMusic\|class=artist\|id=paul-chambers-mn0000747984 \|tab=biography \|pure_url=yes}} \|title=Paul Chambers Biography \|first=Scott \|last=Yanow \|author-link=Scott Yanow \|work=[[AllMusic]]\|publisher=[[All Media Network]] \|access-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref> He was also known for his bowed solos.<ref name="JohnDavis-2012">{{cite book \|last=Davis \|first=John S. \|year=2012 \|title=Historical Dictionary of Jazz \|url={{Google books\|c-_1LifRPJkC\|page=64\|plainurl=yes}} \|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] \|page=64 \|isbn=978-0810867574 \|access-date=November 9, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \|last=Coryat \|first=Karl \|year=1999 \|title=The Bass Player Book \|url={{Google books\|m0Bwm9QCU3gC\|page=210\|plainurl=yes}} \|publisher=[[Hal Leonard Corporation]] \|page=210 \|isbn=0879305738 \|access-date=November 9, 2013 }}</ref> Chambers recorded about a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, and ~~over~~ 100 ~~more~~ as a sideman, especially as the anchor of trumpeter [[Miles Davis]]'s "[[Miles Davis Quintet#First Great Quintet.2FSextet\|first great quintet]]" (1955–63) and with pianist [[Wynton Kelly]] (1963–68).		'''Paul Laurence Dunbar Chambers Jr.''' (April 22, 1935 – January 4, 1969)<ref name="LarkinJazz">{{cite book\|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music\|The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz]]\|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)\|Colin Larkin]]\|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]\|date=1992\|edition=First\|isbn=0-85112-580-8\|page=82/3}}</ref> was an American [[jazz]] [[double bassist]]. A fixture of [[rhythm section]]s during the 1950s and 1960s, he has become one of the most widely-known jazz bassists of the [[hard bop]] era.<ref name=ALLMUSIC>{{cite web \|url={{AllMusic\|class=artist\|id=paul-chambers-mn0000747984 \|tab=biography \|pure_url=yes}} \|title=Paul Chambers Biography \|first=Scott \|last=Yanow \|author-link=Scott Yanow \|work=[[AllMusic]]\|publisher=[[All Media Network]] \|access-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref> He was also known for his bowed solos.<ref name="JohnDavis-2012">{{cite book \|last=Davis \|first=John S. \|year=2012 \|title=Historical Dictionary of Jazz \|url={{Google books\|c-_1LifRPJkC\|page=64\|plainurl=yes}} \|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] \|page=64 \|isbn=978-0810867574 \|access-date=November 9, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \|last=Coryat \|first=Karl \|year=1999 \|title=The Bass Player Book \|url={{Google books\|m0Bwm9QCU3gC\|page=210\|plainurl=yes}} \|publisher=[[Hal Leonard Corporation]] \|page=210 \|isbn=0879305738 \|access-date=November 9, 2013 }}</ref> Chambers recorded about a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, and more than 100 as a sideman, especially as the anchor of trumpeter [[Miles Davis]]'s "[[Miles Davis Quintet#First Great Quintet.2FSextet\|first great quintet]]" (1955–63) and with pianist [[Wynton Kelly]] (1963–68).

	==Biography==		==Biography==
Line 38:		Line 38:

	==Personal life==		==Personal life==
	Chambers developed addictions to both [[alcohol (drug)\|alcohol]] and heroin. He was hospitalized at the end of 1968 with what was thought to be a severe case of influenza, but tests revealed that he had tuberculosis. As his organ functions deteriorated, Chambers lapsed into a coma for 18 days. It is believed his addictions to heroin and alcohol contributed to his health problems.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/jazz/modern-era/paul-chambers\|title=Paul Chambers - Pittsburgh Music History\|via=Google Sites\|access-date=January 25, 2020\|archive-date=October 31, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031151435/https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/jazz/modern-era/paul-chambers\|url-status=dead}}</ref> On January 4, 1969, he died of [[tuberculosis]] aged 33.<ref name="JohnDavis-2012" />		Chambers developed addictions to both [[alcohol (drug)\|alcohol]] and heroin. He was hospitalized at the end of 1968 with what was thought to be a severe case of influenza, but tests revealed that he had [[tuberculosis]]. As his organ functions deteriorated, Chambers lapsed into a coma for 18 days. It is believed his addictions to heroin and alcohol contributed to his health problems.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/jazz/modern-era/paul-chambers\|title=Paul Chambers - Pittsburgh Music History\|via=Google Sites\|access-date=January 25, 2020\|archive-date=October 31, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031151435/https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/jazz/modern-era/paul-chambers\|url-status=dead}}</ref> On January 4, 1969, he died of tuberculosis aged 33.<ref name="JohnDavis-2012" />

	==Influence==		==Influence==
Line 51:		Line 51:
	{{Main\|Paul Chambers discography}}		{{Main\|Paul Chambers discography}}
	* ''[[Chambers' Music]]'' (Jazz: West, 1956)		* ''[[Chambers' Music]]'' (Jazz: West, 1956)
	* ''[[Whims Of Chambers]]'' (Blue Note, 1957)		* ''[[Whims of Chambers]]'' (Blue Note, 1957)
	* ''[[Bass on Top]]'' (Blue Note, 1957)		* ''[[Bass on Top]]'' (Blue Note, 1957)
	* ''[[Paul Chambers Quintet]]'' (Blue Note, 1958)		* ''[[Paul Chambers Quintet]]'' (Blue Note, 1958)

2001:1C00:C02:2800:D582:3230:9C88:5F02: removed unnecessary bit (of course he was active when he recorded)

2025-05-20T21:27:31Z

removed unnecessary bit (of course he was active when he recorded)

New page

{{short description|American jazz double bassist}}
{{other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Paul Chambers
| image = Paul Laurence Dunbar Chambers, Jr..jpg
| caption =
| image_size = 
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name = Paul Laurence Dunbar Chambers Jr.
| birth_date = {{birth date|1935|4|22}}
| birth_place = [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania, U.S.
| origin = [[Detroit]], Michigan, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1969|1|4|1935|4|22}}
| death_place = New York City, U.S.
| instrument = Double bass
| genre = {{hlist|[[Jazz]]|[[modal jazz]]|[[bebop]]|[[hard bop]]}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|composer}}
| years_active = 1954–1969
| label = {{hlist|[[Blue Note Records|Blue Note]]|[[Prestige Records|Prestige]]|[[Verve Records|Verve]]|[[Riverside Records|Riverside]]}}
}}

'''Paul Laurence Dunbar Chambers Jr.''' (April 22, 1935 – January 4, 1969)<ref name="LarkinJazz">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-580-8|page=82/3}}</ref> was an American [[jazz]] [[double bassist]]. A fixture of [[rhythm section]]s during the 1950s and 1960s, he has become one of the most widely-known jazz bassists of the [[hard bop]] era.<ref name=ALLMUSIC>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=paul-chambers-mn0000747984 |tab=biography |pure_url=yes}} |title=Paul Chambers Biography |first=Scott |last=Yanow |author-link=Scott Yanow |work=[[AllMusic]]|publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref> He was also known for his bowed solos.<ref name="JohnDavis-2012">{{cite book |last=Davis |first=John S. |year=2012 |title=Historical Dictionary of Jazz |url={{Google books|c-_1LifRPJkC|page=64|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] |page=64 |isbn=978-0810867574 |access-date=November 9, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Coryat |first=Karl |year=1999 |title=The Bass Player Book |url={{Google books|m0Bwm9QCU3gC|page=210|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Hal Leonard Corporation]] |page=210 |isbn=0879305738 |access-date=November 9, 2013 }}</ref> Chambers recorded about a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, and over 100 more as a sideman, especially as the anchor of trumpeter [[Miles Davis]]'s "[[Miles Davis Quintet#First Great Quintet.2FSextet|first great quintet]]" (1955–63) and with pianist [[Wynton Kelly]] (1963–68).

==Biography==
Born in [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania, on April 22, 1935, to Paul Lawrence Chambers and Margaret Echos, he was brought up in Detroit, Michigan, following the death of his mother.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jazz.com/encyclopedia/chambers-paul-laurence-dunbar-jr|title=Chambers, Paul (Laurence Dunbar, Jr.)|publisher=jazz.com|access-date=November 9, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110194115/http://www.jazz.com/encyclopedia/chambers-paul-laurence-dunbar-jr|archive-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref> He began playing music with several of his schoolmates on the [[baritone horn]].<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /> Later he took up the tuba.
"I got along pretty well, but it's quite a job to carry it around in those long parades, and I didn't like the instrument that much".

==Bass playing==
Chambers switched to the double bass around 1949.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /> His formal bass training began in earnest in 1952, when he began taking private lessons with Gaston Brohan, principal bassist of the [[Detroit Symphony Orchestra]]. Chambers did some classical playing himself, with a rehearsal group called the Detroit String Band. He studied at [[Cass Technical High School]] intermittently from 1952 to 1955, and played in Cass' symphony, and in various other student groups, in one of which he played [[baritone saxophone]].

When he left for New York City at the invitation of tenor saxophonist [[Paul Quinichette]], he had a working knowledge of many instruments.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" />
Jazz bass players were largely limited to timekeeping with drums, until [[Duke Ellington]]'s bassist [[Jimmy Blanton]] began a transformation in the instrument's role at the end of the 1930s. Chambers was about 15 years old when he started to listen to [[Charlie Parker]] and [[Bud Powell]], his first jazz influences. [[Oscar Pettiford]] and [[Ray Brown (musician)|Ray Brown]] were the first bassists he admired, and these were followed by [[Percy Heath]], [[Milt Hinton]] and [[Wendell Marshall]] for their [[rhythm section]] work, and [[Charles Mingus]] and [[George Duvivier]] for their technical prowess and for their efforts in broadening the scope of jazz bass. Blanton was his all-time favorite.

==First performance on bass==
From 1954 on through 1955, he gained significance touring with such musicians as [[Bennie Green]], Quinichette, [[George Wallington]], [[J. J. Johnson]] and [[Kai Winding]]. In 1955, he joined the [[Miles Davis]] quintet, and he was awarded the ''[[DownBeat]]'' "New Star Award" the following year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wncu.org/artist-of-the-month/paul-chambers |title=Artist of the Month: Paul Chambers |website=WNCU 90.7 Jazz |access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref> Chambers stayed with the group until 1963, and he appeared on many classic albums, including ''[[Kind of Blue]]''.<ref name="JohnDavis-2012" /> One of Chambers' most noted performances was on that album's first track, "[[So What (composition)|So What]]", which opens with a brief [[duet]] featuring Chambers and pianist [[Bill Evans]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/01/04/10862796/miles-davis-kind-of-blue|title=Miles Davis: 'Kind of Blue'|date=August 1, 2001 |publisher=[[NPR]] |access-date=November 9, 2013}}</ref> From 1963 until 1968, Chambers played with [[Wynton Kelly]]'s trio. He freelanced frequently as a sideman for many others throughout his career.

==Personal life==
Chambers developed addictions to both [[alcohol (drug)|alcohol]] and heroin. He was hospitalized at the end of 1968 with what was thought to be a severe case of influenza, but tests revealed that he had tuberculosis. As his organ functions deteriorated, Chambers lapsed into a coma for 18 days. It is believed his addictions to heroin and alcohol contributed to his health problems.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/jazz/modern-era/paul-chambers|title=Paul Chambers - Pittsburgh Music History|via=Google Sites|access-date=January 25, 2020|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031151435/https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/jazz/modern-era/paul-chambers|url-status=dead}}</ref> On January 4, 1969, he died of [[tuberculosis]] aged 33.<ref name="JohnDavis-2012" />

==Influence==
From his role in the Davis band, Chambers was the bassist in two rhythm sections. The first, with [[Red Garland]] on piano and [[Philly Joe Jones]] on drums, came to be known as "the rhythm section", that name featured on a celebrated album by saxophonist [[Art Pepper]], ''[[Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section]]''. The second, with Wynton Kelly and [[Jimmy Cobb]], made many sessions as a unit, recording albums with [[John Coltrane]], [[Wes Montgomery]], and by themselves under Kelly's name on albums such as ''[[Kelly Blue]]''.

Paul Chambers was in great demand as a [[session musician]],<ref name="JohnDavis-2012" /> and played on numerous albums including such landmarks as [[Thelonious Monk]]'s ''[[Brilliant Corners]]'', Coltrane's ''[[Giant Steps (album)|Giant Steps]]'', and [[Oliver Nelson]]'s ''[[The Blues and the Abstract Truth]]''. Many musicians wrote songs dedicated to Chambers. Red Garland wrote the tune "The P.C. Blues", and Coltrane's song "[[Mr. P.C.]]" is named after Chambers. [[Tommy Flanagan (musician)|Tommy Flanagan]] wrote "Big Paul", which was performed on the [[Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane]] Prestige 1958 [[LP album|LP]]. [[Max Roach]] wrote a drum solo called "Five For Paul", on a 1977 drum solo LP recorded in Japan, and [[Sonny Rollins]] wrote "Paul's Pal" for him as well. In the world of alternative rock, [[Barenaked Ladies]] bass player [[Jim Creeggan]] wrote the song "Paul Chambers" for their 2021 album ''[[Detour de Force]]''.

In an interview, fellow bassist [[Charlie Haden]] recalled his admiration for Chambers:
{{Blockquote|text="[T]he first guy who was really distinctive to me — when I was 19 or so — was Paul Chambers, who I heard on all those Prestige and Riverside records. There’s an underrated player! He had a way of playing chromatic notes in his bass lines that was just unreal. He would go up into the high register, and then skip down, tying it together… He had this great sound, and this great time."<ref name="DoTheMath">{{cite news|title=Interview with Charlie Haden|url=https://ethaniverson.com/interviews/interview-with-charlie-haden|access-date=18 November 2016|work= Do The Math|date=March 2008|author=Ethan Iverson}}</ref>}}

== Discography ==
{{Main|Paul Chambers discography}}
* ''[[Chambers' Music]]'' (Jazz: West, 1956)
* ''[[Whims Of Chambers]]'' (Blue Note, 1957)
* ''[[Bass on Top]]'' (Blue Note, 1957)
* ''[[Paul Chambers Quintet]]'' (Blue Note, 1958)
* ''[[We Three (Roy Haynes album)|We Three]]'' (New Jazz, 1959) with [[Roy Haynes]] and [[Phineas Newborn Jr.]]
* ''[[Go (Paul Chambers album)|Go]]'' (Vee-Jay, 1959)
* ''[[1st Bassman]]'' (Vee-Jay, 1960)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
*{{Discogs artist|259778-Paul-Chambers-3}}
*{{IMDb name|2424848}}

{{Paul Chambers}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chambers, Paul}}
[[Category:1935 births]]
[[Category:1969 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century deaths from tuberculosis]]
[[Category:African-American jazz musicians]]
[[Category:American jazz double-bassists]]
[[Category:American male double-bassists]]
[[Category:Blue Note Records artists]]
[[Category:Cass Technical High School alumni]]
[[Category:Miles Davis Quintet members]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Vee-Jay Records artists]]
[[Category:Tuberculosis deaths in New York (state)]]
[[Category:20th-century American double-bassists]]
[[Category:American male jazz musicians]]
[[Category:Alcohol-related deaths in New York City]]
[[Category:Deaths by heroin overdose in New York (state)]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Detroit]]
[[Category:DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame members]]