17 Best Jazz Songs With Bass: Jazz Journeys

Hey music aficionados and turntable maestros!

Get ready to dive into the world of groovy rhythms and dynamic solos with our handpicked collection of 17 best Jazz songs with bass”.

Ideal for both DJ inspiration and leisurely listening, these gems embody the soul and power of jazz.

Let’s swing into the beats!

Here are the best Jazz songs with bass that you can check out:

List Of Best Jazz Songs With Bass

Best Jazz songs with bass in a list format:

1. “So What” – Miles Davis

From the iconic 1959 album “Kind of Blue” under Columbia Records, Davis’ masterpiece “So What” beautifully blends a double bass line with his spellbinding trumpet solos. The song’s base-heavy intro set the standard for many jazz pieces to follow.

2. “The Chicken” – Jaco Pastorius

Released in 1981 under Warner Bros. Records, “The Chicken” is from the album “The Birthday Concert.” The song showcases Pastorius’ skillful bass playing and his unique ability to make the bass sing.

3. “My Foolish Heart” – Bill Evans

Featured in the album “Sunday at the Village Vanguard,” released under Riverside Records in 1961, “My Foolish Heart” lets Scott LaFaro’s bass line resonate with Bill Evans’ piano in a harmonious conversation that still echoes in jazz history.

4. “Chameleon” – Herbie Hancock

“Chameleon,” from the 1973 album “Head Hunters” under Columbia Records, marries jazz with funk. Paul Jackson’s iconic bass line is the beating heart of this experimental masterpiece.

5. “Portrait of Tracy” – Jaco Pastorius

A lyrical bass solo from the 1976 album “Jaco Pastorius” under Epic Records. “Portrait of Tracy” is a poetic demonstration of harmonics, showing the depth and expressiveness of the bass.

6. “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” – Charles Mingus

From Mingus’s 1959 album “Mingus Ah Um,” released by Columbia Records, “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” is a bass-driven tribute to saxophonist Lester Young, showcasing Mingus’ virtuosity on the double bass.

7. “Haitian Fight Song” – Charles Mingus

Also from Mingus, “Haitian Fight Song” is a deeply emotive piece. Released in 1957 under Atlantic Records in the album “The Clown,” it features an unforgettable bass line that tells a story all on its own.

8. “Continuum” – Jaco Pastorius

Released under Epic Records in the 1976 album “Jaco Pastorius,” “Continuum” is an alluring bass solo that shows Pastorius’ mastery of the fretless bass guitar, combining melody and rhythm in a distinctive way.

9. “Mr. P.C.” – John Coltrane

This song, from the 1960 album “Giant Steps” under Atlantic Records, features an intense and driving bass line by Paul Chambers – the titular “Mr. P.C.” It’s a hard bop classic that remains influential in modern jazz.

10. “Red Clay” – Freddie Hubbard

From the 1970 album “Red Clay,” released under CTI Records. The title track features a memorable bass line by Ron Carter, forming a compelling underpinning for Hubbard’s fiery trumpet solos.

11. “A Remark You Made” – Weather Report

Off the 1977 album “Heavy Weather” under Columbia Records, Jaco Pastorius’s melodic bass line in “A Remark You Made” sings a sorrowful and beautiful song within a song.

12. “Ornithology” – Charlie Parker

In this classic track from the 1946 album “The Genius of Charlie Parker,” released by Savoy Records, the bass provides a rhythmic backbone for Parker’s speedy bebop lines.

13. “Autumn Leaves” – Cannonball Adderley

From the 1958 album “Somethin’ Else” under Blue Note Records, “Autumn Leaves” features a simple but effective bass line by Sam Jones, which perfectly complements Adderley’s and Davis’s solos.

14. “Footprints” – Wayne Shorter

Appearing on the 1966 album “Adam’s Apple,” released by Blue Note Records, “Footprints” is driven by a distinct and entrancing bass line, forming a mysterious foundation for Shorter’s adventurous solos.

15. “Naima” – John Coltrane

Off the 1960 album “Giant Steps” under Atlantic Records, “Naima” showcases a soft, yet captivating bass line that elegantly supports the saxophone’s ethereal melody.

16. “Blue in Green” – Miles Davis

From the 1959 album “Kind of Blue,” released by Columbia Records, “Blue in Green” is a mournful tune with Paul Chambers’ bass playing a sensitive and subtle role.

17. “Round Midnight” – Thelonious Monk

Off the 1957 album “Mulligan Meets Monk” under Riverside Records, “Round Midnight” features a foundational bass line that truly highlights the song’s intricate harmonic structure.

Fun Facts: Top Jazz Tunes With Bass

“So What” – Miles Davis

Did you know “So What” popularized the use of modes in jazz music? This was a significant departure from the chord progression-focused style of Bebop that was popular at the time.

“The Chicken” – Jaco Pastorius

“The Chicken” actually wasn’t written by Pastorius but by Pee Wee Ellis. Pastorius made the song his own, though, with his distinctive, funky bass performance.

“Chameleon” – Herbie Hancock

Did you know that “Chameleon” is one of the earliest synthesizer-driven jazz hits? Herbie Hancock’s explorations with synthesizers and electric pianos had a significant impact on the development of jazz-funk.

“Portrait of Tracy” – Jaco Pastorius

“Portrait of Tracy” is a tribute to Pastorius’ first wife, Tracy. This bass solo is renowned for its extensive use of harmonics and chordal playing, which were innovative techniques at the time.

“Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” – Charles Mingus

This song was Mingus’ tribute to the legendary saxophonist Lester Young, who was known for wearing pork pie hats. Young had passed away just two months before the recording of the album.

“Mr. P.C.” – John Coltrane

“Mr. P.C.” is named after bassist Paul Chambers, a long-time collaborator with Coltrane. Chambers’ energetic bass line plays a crucial role in the tune.

“Red Clay” – Freddie Hubbard

The album “Red Clay” marked a shift in Hubbard’s musical style from hard bop to soulful jazz-funk, making it a landmark recording in his career.

“A Remark You Made” – Weather Report

“A Remark You Made” is considered one of Pastorius’ most melodically beautiful compositions. The title is said to refer to a conversation he once had with his then-wife.

“Autumn Leaves” – Cannonball Adderley

“Autumn Leaves” is actually a French song, originally titled “Les feuilles mortes.” It has become one of the most recorded tunes in the jazz repertoire.

“Naima” – John Coltrane

Coltrane wrote “Naima” in honor of his first wife, Juanita Naima Grubbs. The song is noted for its calm and serene tone, quite distinct from much of Coltrane’s other work.

“Round Midnight” – Thelonious Monk

Did you know “Round Midnight” is the most recorded jazz standard composed by a jazz musician? It has been performed and recorded by a wide array of artists, from Miles Davis to Ella Fitzgerald.

That’s our bass-loaded journey through jazz’s finest! From Mingus to Pastorius, we’ve reveled in dynamic grooves and heart-stirring solos.

Keep those rhythms alive, dear music lovers and DJ friends!

Thanks for reading.

TBone