Paul Chambers: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Cecil McBee
• Reggie Workman
• Jimmy Garrison
• Robert Hurst
• Al McKibbon

• Oscar Pettiford
• Jimmy Blanton

• Stafford James
• Scott Colley
• Jimmy Woode
• Rick Laird
• Kyle Eastwood
• Ron McClure
• Rodney Whitaker

• John Coltrane
• Wynton Kelly
• Miles Davis/Charlie Parker

• Benny Golson

• Miles Davis Quintet

• Philly Joe Jones
• Wynton Kelly
• John Coltrane
• Miles Davis/Charlie Parker
• Art Taylor
• Rudy Van Gelder
• Red Garland

Birth Name:

Paul Laurence Dunbar Chambers Jnr

Born:

Apr 22, 1935 in Pittsburgh, PA

Died:

Jan 4, 1969 in New York, NY

Genres:

Classical Music, Bop Jazz Music

Decades Active:

1950's

Artistic Quality

High

Cultural Impact

High

Popularity

Medium

Ratings Guide

One of the top bassists of 19551965, Paul Chambers was among the first in jazz to take creative bowed solos (other than Slam Stewart, who hummed along with his bowing). He grew up in Detroit, where he was part of the fertile local jazz scene. After touring with Paul Quinichette, Chambers went to New York, where he played with the J.J. JohnsonKai Winding quintet and George Wallington. He spent the bulk of his prime years (19551963) as a member of the Miles Davis Quintet, participating in virtually all of Davis' classic recordings of the era. When he left, "Mr. P.C." (as John Coltrane called him in one of his originals) worked with the Wynton Kelly Trio (19631966) and freelanced until his death. Chambers, a consistently inspired accompanist who was an excellent soloist, made many recordings during his brief period, including some with Sonny Rollins, Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Donald Byrd, Bud Powell, and Freddie Hubbard, in addition to a few as a leader.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide