Stanley Clarke equals Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius & Charles Mingus

‘Listen to the bass

Stanley on the bass

Stanley Clarke to the bass

1, 2, to the bass.’

(Q-tip)

‘I look at Stanley Clarke as a sort of predecessor and I wouldn’t exist if I didn’t know about him.’ (Thundercat on Stanley Clarke)

Stanley Clarke is unquestionably legendary. To call him one of the most influential bass players in the world would be somewhat of an understatement. To place him in the ranks of the greats – think: Marcus Miller, Larry Graham, Jaco Pastorius, Les Claypool, Charles Mingus… – is a no brainer.

When Clarke moved to New York in the early ‘70s, he was already playing with the jazz greats. From Pharoah Sanders to Art Blakey, Dexter Gordon via Horace Silver and Stan Getz. As a member of the fusion jazz band Return to Forever – along with Chick Corea – he claimed a prominent place for his electric bass. ‘He proved the bass slap could be a lead weapon, as dynamic as the electric guitar wail.’ (Vice)

Bill Evans, Miles Davis, and Ray Manzarek (The Doors) invited him to play with their respective bands. He declined every request. His songs were sampled by 2Pac, Jay-Z, Mos Def, and DJ Shadow. And he served as a mentor to Kamasi Washington and Thundercat.

We already have a red carpet ready for this true legend.

Fun fact

‘Miles used to come see Return to Forever at the Village Vanguard. I’ll never forget it. Miles came to the Vanguard in this weird, red leather outfit. It almost looked pre-Michael Jackson. He said in his Miles voice “You don’t want to play with Chick. Forget Chick. Come and play with me.” But I was very loyal to Chick and the movement we were trying to create. I looked at Miles and I looked at Chick and the bigger picture. I felt I could do more with Chick than Miles. So instead, I’d hang out with Miles and go see him a lot because we used to live near one another.’ (Stanley Clarke in Jazz Times)