Jerry Jemmott facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jerry Jemmott
Jemmott at the Beacon Theatre with the Allman Brothers Band, 2009
Background information
Birth name	Gerald Stenhouse Jemmott
Born	(1946-03-22) March 22, 1946 (age 79) The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Genres	Soul, funk, jazz, blues, blues rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer
Instruments	Bass guitar
Years active	1958–present
Labels	Atlantic, P-Vine, Whachagonnado?
Associated acts	King Curtis and the Kingpins, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, The Jazz Messiahs.

Gerald Stenhouse Jemmott (born on March 22, 1946) is a famous American bass guitarist. He was one of the most important "session" bass players in the late 1960s and early 1970s. A session musician is someone who plays instruments on recordings for many different artists. Jerry Jemmott played with many well-known soul, blues, and jazz musicians. He has won two special music awards called Grammy Awards.

Jerry Jemmott's Early Life and Career

Jerry Jemmott was born in Morrisania, Bronx, New York City, in 1946. He started playing the upright (acoustic) bass when he was eleven years old. He was inspired by another great bass player named Paul Chambers. Later, he switched to the electric bass guitar.

In 1967, a famous saxophonist named King Curtis discovered Jerry's talent. This connection helped Jerry start recording music with Atlantic Records. Soon, he was playing with many popular artists from Atlantic Records. These included Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, the Rascals, Roberta Flack, and Margie Joseph.

Playing with Music Legends

Jerry also recorded with blues legends like B.B. King, Freddie King, and Chuck Berry. He played with jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, and George Benson. He even played the famous bass line on the song "Mr. Bojangles". He also helped create the bass part for B.B. King's hit song "The Thrill Is Gone".

In 1971, Jerry Jemmott played with King Curtis and other musicians on the popular album "Live at Filmore West".

Taking a Break and Coming Back Strong

In 1972, Jerry was in a car accident in Manhattan. He was hurt and stopped playing bass for a while. But he returned to music in 1975. Around this time, many big recording studios were closing. People started using smaller home recording studios more often.

Jerry also worked in movies and theater. He helped arrange and conduct music with famous people like John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra. Another famous bass player, Jaco Pastorius, said Jerry Jemmott was a big influence on his own style. Jerry even hosted a video called Modern Electric Bass (1985) where Jaco Pastorius shared advice.

Jerry Jemmott's Solo Career and Bands

Jerry Jemmott began his own music career in 1978. He played jazz, blues, R&B, reggae, and soul music with his group called Jerry Jemmott & Souler Energy. Many talented musicians played in this group over the years.

Later, he formed another band called Jerry Jemmott's The Right Reverend Jakie Neckbone Jubilee Special. They played his original songs and his classic hits. Jerry also led workshops called "Soul Kitchen" to teach others about improvisation in music.

Traveling the World with Music

During this time, Jerry was also part of the Jimmy Owens Quartet. They traveled to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for the U.S. State Department. They performed with other jazz stars like Dizzy Gillespie and the Heath Brothers.

Jerry has recorded several solo albums. These include Caught in the Low Beam, The New York View, and Make It Happen!. He has also written articles and books about playing bass. He has released audio and video lessons for bass players.

Awards and Teaching

In 2001, Jerry Jemmott received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Bass Player magazine. This award honors musicians who have had a huge impact on bass playing. He is also the Chairman of the Electric Bass Department at the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists. This foundation helps young bass players learn and grow.

In 2006, he joined Gregg Allman's band, "Gregg Allman & Friends." He also played with Cornell Dupree's Soul Survivors. That same year, he was a special guest at The Allman Brothers Band's 40th anniversary concert. This big event took place at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. In 2014, he played with Aretha Franklin again on the David Letterman Show.

Jerry developed a special way of teaching music called the ColorSoundMusic Learning System. He teaches this system at his clinics and workshops.

In 2023, Jerry Jemmott published his life story in a book called MAKE IT HAPPEN!: The Life and Times of "The Groovemaster", Bassist Jerry Jemmott.

Discography

Solo Albums

• New York View (P-Vine, 1995)
• Make It Happen! (Whatchagonnado?, 2005)
• Home Cookin' (Whatchagonnado?, 2006)
• Bass on the Case (Whachagonnado?, 2009)
• Addiction (Whachagonnado?, 2014)

Albums Jerry Jemmott Played On (As a Sideman)

With Nina Simone

• Nina Simone Sings The Blues (RCA Records SP-3789, 1967)
• Ain't Got No, I Got Life (RCA Records – single, 1968)

With Erma Franklin

• Piece of My Heart (Shout Records S-221, 1967)

With Lorraine Ellison

• Stay With Me Baby (Warner Bros. Records, 1966)
• You Don't Know Nothing About Love (Warner Bros. Records, 1966)

With King Curtis

• Instant Groove (Atco,33-293, 1969)
• Live at Fillmore West (Atco 33-359, 1971)
• Everybody's Talkin' (Atco 33-385, 1971)

With King Curtis and Champion Jack Dupree

• Blues at Montreux (Atlantic SD1637, 1973)

With Carly Simon

• Carly Simon (Elektra Records, 1971)

With Al Kooper

• You Never Know Who Your Friends Are (Columbia Records, 1969)

With Aretha Franklin

• Aretha Now (Atlantic Records, 1968)
• Soul '69 (Atlantic Records, 1969)
• This Girl's In Love With You (Atlantic Records, 1970)
• Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) (Atlantic Records, 1973)

With Janis Ian

• Who Really Cares (Verve, 1969)

With Freddie Hubbard

• A Soul Experiment (Atlantic Records SD-1526, 1968)

With George Benson

• Tell it Like it Is (A&M Records, 1968)
• The Other Side of Abbey Road (A&M Records, 1970)

With Wilson Pickett

• The Midnight Mover (Atlantic Records, 1968)
• Hey Jude (Atlantic Records, 1969)

With Gil Scott Heron

• The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (Flying Dutchman, 1971)

With Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper

• Fillmore East: The Lost Concert Tapes 12–13–68 (Columbia Records, 2003)

With Candido Camero

• Beautiful (Blue Note Records, 1970)

With Hank Crawford

• Mr. Blues Plays Lady Soul (Atlantic Records, 1969)

With Ben E. King

• Supernatural (Atlantic Records, 1975)

With Archie Shepp

• Attica Blues (ABC Records AS-9222, 1972)

With Eddie Harris

• Second Movement (Atlantic Records, 1971) with Les McCann

With Richard Groove Holmes

• Comin' on Home (Blue Note Records, 1971)
• American Pie (Groove Merchant, 1972)

With B.B. King

• Live and Well (ABC Records, 1968)
• Completely Well (ABC Records, 1969)
• Indianola Mississippi Seeds (ABC Records, 1970)
• Guess Who (ABC Records, 1972)

With Herbie Mann

• Turtle Bay (Atlantic Records, 1973)

With Laura Nyro

• Walk the Dog and Light the Light (Columbia Records, 1993)

With Houston Person

• Houston Express (Prestige, 1970)

With Shirley Scott

• Shirley Scott & the Soul Saxes (Atlantic Records, 1969)

With The Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Orchestra

• New Life (Horizon, SP-707, 1976)

See also

In Spanish: Jerry Jemmott para niños