Jerry Jemmott
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Gerald Joseph Stenhouse "Jerry" Jemmott (born March 22, 1946 in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City) is an American bass guitarist. Also known as Gerald "Fingers" Jemmott, Rasan Mfalme or "the Groovemaster," Jemmott was one of the chief session bassists of the late 1960s and early 1970s, working with a veritable who's who of the periods most well known soul, blues, and jazz artists.
[edit] Biography
Jemmott began playing the acoustic bass when he discovered Paul Chambers at age 10. Jemmott began his professional career by age 12, and after switching to the electric bass, was discovered by saxophonist King Curtis in 1967. With his connection through Curtis to Atlantic Records, Jemmott was soon recording with other Atlantic recording artists, including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, The Rascals and Roberta Flack. Jemmott also recorded with noted blues artists B.B. King, Freddie King, Chuck Berry, Duane Allman, Otis Rush, Champion Jack Dupree, and backed jazz artists Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Erroll Garner, Les McCann, Eddie Harris, Houston Person, George Benson, Archie Shepp, Lionel Hampton, Herbie Mann, Eddie Palmieri, and Charles Earland. He played the bass line for the original recording of Mr. Bojangles, and his classic riffs on B.B. King's "The Thrill Is Gone" are unforgettable.
After Jemmott's recording sessions started to decline in 1975, he continued to work in film and theater as an arranger and conductor, working with John Williams, The Boston Pops, and Bette Midler. Jemmott was cited as a major influence by jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius, who incorporated Jemmott's stuttering funk basslines into his own syncopated style. Jemmott was also the host and had a hand in the production of the instructional video Modern Electric Bass which featured lessons and guidance by Pastorius and was released in 1985.
Most recently, Jemmott recorded solo recordings for the Japanese P-Vine Records, Caught in the Low Beam and The New York View, as well as Make It Happen! for Whatcha Gonna Do Records. Jemmott continues to work as an educator teaching workshops and clinics, has written articles, four books, and released audio and video bass instruction material. He is the recipient of the 2001 Bass Player Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award and Chairman of the Electric Bass Department at the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists Inc. Over the years Jerry has performed all over the world. In addition to arranging and composing, he also teaches and participates in workshops, and clinics.
The “The Groovemaster’s” work can also be found on CD’s that feature his music, educational books, articles, cassettes, and videos.**
As “Jerry Jemmott & Souler Energy” he performs a mix of his original “Cool Groove” songs and music along with his classic hits in addition to presenting his “Soul Kitchen”, improvisation workshops & clinics.
He currently tours with Gregg Allman & Friends in addition to Cornell Dupree’s Soul Survivors.
Committed to speaking truth , he has authored "Human Livestock!", www.jemmott.com/humanlivestock.
[edit] Discography
http://www.jemmott.com/disco.html
