17 Best Songs With Upright Bass: 17 Tunes You Need

Hey fellow music aficionados and rhythm weavers!

Ever marveled at the resonating charm of the upright bass?

Delve into our curated list of “17 Best Songs with Upright Bass”.

It’s a sonic journey guaranteed to dazzle your ears and inspire your DJ sets.

Let’s explore these bass-ridden masterpieces together!

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

List Of Best Songs With Upright Bass

Best songs with upright bass in a list format:

1. “So What” – Miles Davis

This iconic jazz tune from Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” (1959, Columbia Records) is defined by Paul Chambers’ illustrious upright bass introduction. Chambers’ use of modal jazz structures on the bass gives this song an enchanting, timeless feel.

2. “Jelly Roll Blues” – Jelly Roll Morton

An essential early jazz classic, “Jelly Roll Blues” from the album “Library of Congress Recordings” (1938, Rounder Records), features an infectious upright bass line that’s as sweet and savory as the song title suggests.

3. “Mingus Fingers” – Lionel Hampton & Charles Mingus

From the album “Lionel Hampton Presents Charles Mingus” (1977, Who’s Who in Jazz), this song showcases Mingus’ prolific skills on the upright bass. Mingus’ innovative approach changed the perception of the bass as a purely rhythm section instrument.

4. “Night in Tunisia” – Dizzy Gillespie

The upright bass on “Night in Tunisia” from “The Complete RCA Victor Recordings” (1995, RCA Victor), gives the song its unforgettable rhythm and harmony. This bass line, driving yet delicate, sets the tone for Gillespie’s trumpet genius.

5. “Ramblin'” – Ornette Coleman

“Ramblin'” from “Change of the Century” (1960, Atlantic Records) features a bouncing, melodic upright bass line, demonstrating the Free Jazz style of the early 60s.

6. “Haitian Fight Song” – Charles Mingus

Mingus’ virtuosic bass introduction in “Haitian Fight Song” from “The Clown” (1957, Atlantic Records) sets a rebellious, emotive tone, guiding the listener through the narrative of struggle and resilience.

7. “Israel” – John Carisi

From the album “Birth of the Cool” (1957, Capitol Records), the upright bass line in “Israel” provides the melodic heartbeat of this song, highlighting the instrument’s versatility in a jazz ensemble.

8. “The Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers” – Steve Kuhn

From the album “Ecstasy” (1975, ECM Records), this song features a poetic, evocative upright bass part that interweaves beautifully with Kuhn’s piano.

9. “Footprints” – Wayne Shorter

From “Adam’s Apple” (1966, Blue Note Records), “Footprints” features an addictive bass line that’s rich in groove and melody, inspiring countless jazz musicians and enthusiasts.

10. “Red Clay” – Freddie Hubbard

“Red Clay” from the album of the same name (1970, CTI Records) exhibits a funky bass line that adds a cool flavor to this jazz fusion masterpiece.

11. “Pithecanthropus Erectus” – Charles Mingus

From the album of the same name (1956, Atlantic Records), this song delivers an innovative upright bass line, demonstrating Mingus’ visionary approach to composition and orchestration.

12. “Better Git It in Your Soul” – Charles Mingus

Another Mingus classic from “Mingus Ah Um” (1959, Columbia Records). This song is driven by an infectious, gospel-inspired bass line that captures the essence of Mingus’ soulful style.

13. “My Favorite Things” – John Coltrane

From the album of the same name (1961, Atlantic Records), “My Favorite Things” features an upright bass part that sets the stage for Coltrane’s transformative soprano saxophone exploration.

14. “Autumn Leaves” – Cannonball Adderley

From “Somethin’ Else” (1958, Blue Note Records), “Autumn Leaves” features a warm, inviting bass line that is integral to the song’s melancholic beauty.

15. “Mr. P.C.” – John Coltrane

Paul Chambers’ fast and syncopated bass line on “Mr. P.C.” from “Giant Steps” (1960, Atlantic Records), is an amazing display of his technical prowess and rhythmic mastery.

16. “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” – Charles Mingus

From “Mingus Ah Um” (1959, Columbia Records), this song’s haunting and poignant bass line makes it a jazz standard and an all-time Mingus favorite.

17. “Moanin'” – Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers

This track from “Moanin'” (1958, Blue Note Records) delivers a legendary bass riff that sets the soulful mood for this classic hard-bop masterpiece.

Fun Facts: Top Tunes With Upright Bass

“So What” – Miles Davis

Fascinatingly, “So What” employs a minimalist chord structure known as “modal jazz”. This was a departure from traditional jazz’s complex chord progressions and marked a significant turning point in jazz music.

“Jelly Roll Blues” – Jelly Roll Morton

“Jelly Roll Blues” is considered the first jazz composition ever published, marking a significant moment in jazz history.

“Mingus Fingers” – Lionel Hampton & Charles Mingus

Mingus was not only an outstanding bassist, but also a prolific composer. “Mingus Fingers” was one of his earliest compositions, showcasing his signature blend of gospel, hard bop, free jazz, and classical music.

“Night in Tunisia” – Dizzy Gillespie

This song is a fusion of bebop and Afro-Cuban rhythms, reflecting Gillespie’s fascination with Latin American music. The bass line in this song is inspired by traditional African rhythmic patterns.

“Haitian Fight Song” – Charles Mingus

“Haitian Fight Song” is said to be influenced by the struggles of the Haitian revolution. Mingus often wrote music inspired by social and political issues.

“Israel” – John Carisi

Interesting fact – “Israel” is not written by John Carisi, but Miles Davis and his nonet. It is one of the tracks from “Birth of the Cool”, which launched the “cool jazz” movement.

“The Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers” – Steve Kuhn

This song is also known as “Poem for No. 15” and has been covered by various artists in different styles. It’s a testament to the universal appeal of Kuhn’s compositions.

“Footprints” – Wayne Shorter

“Footprints” is often mistaken for a 12-bar blues because of its similar form, but it is actually a 16-bar piece. The bass line of this song is characterized by its use of quartal harmony.

“Red Clay” – Freddie Hubbard

The bass line in “Red Clay” reflects the influences of soul and funk on jazz in the late 60s and early 70s, showcasing how jazz artists adapted to the evolving musical landscape.

“Pithecanthropus Erectus” – Charles Mingus

The title “Pithecanthropus Erectus” is Latin for “Upright Man-Ape”, a reference to an early hominid species. The song is said to depict the rise and fall of mankind, echoing Mingus’ interest in human evolution and social dynamics.

“My Favorite Things” – John Coltrane

Interestingly, “My Favorite Things” is a cover of a song from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “The Sound of Music”. Coltrane’s version completely reimagines the song, turning it into a hypnotic, Indian-influenced modal jazz masterpiece.

“Mr. P.C.” – John Coltrane

“Mr. P.C.” is a tribute to the great bassist Paul Chambers (hence “P.C.”), who played on numerous iconic jazz recordings alongside artists like John Coltrane and Miles Davis.

“Moanin'” – Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers

“Moanin'” got its name from the soulful, “moaning” quality of the opening bass line. The song was originally written by pianist Bobby Timmons and became a hit almost instantly.

And there you have it, fellow bass lovers and DJ magicians!

We’ve journeyed through the resonant, pulsing world of the upright bass.

Stay tuned for more musical adventures!

Thanks for reading.

TBone