Mickey Bass facts for kids

Lee Odiss Bass III (born May 2, 1943 – died February 3, 2022), known as Mickey Bass, was an American musician. He was a talented bassist, a person who writes music (composer), someone who arranges music, and a music teacher. He played his bass with many famous jazz musicians.

Mickey Bass was from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He started playing jazz music in the 1960s. He often played with groups that played a style of jazz called hard bop. His grandmother taught him and his cousins about Barbershop music. She used to perform in shows, and she shared her love for music with him.

Mickey Bass played and recorded music with jazz legends like Sonny Rollins and Charles Mingus. A famous newspaper, The New York Times, once said that when Mickey Bass and his band played, they had an amazing energy. They said it was hard to find another jazz group that could swing as well as them!

Teaching Music to Young Musicians

Mickey Bass loved to teach music. From 1975 to 1985, he taught at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Hartt College of Music. These are special schools where students learn about music and art.

Some of his students became famous musicians themselves. These included Wallace Roney, Gregory Charles Royal, Clarence Seay, and Eric Allen. In 1980, he received a special award called a National Endowment for the Arts Composers' Grant. This award helped him create new music.

Mickey Bass passed away in New York City on February 3, 2022. He was 78 years old. He left behind a legacy of great music and many students he inspired.

Mickey Bass's Music Albums

A discography is a list of all the music recordings an artist has made. Mickey Bass recorded several albums throughout his career.

Albums as the Main Artist

These are albums where Mickey Bass was the leader of the band.

• Sentimental Mood (Chiaroscuro, 1982)
• The Co-operation (Early Bird, 1991)
• Another Way Out (Early Bird, 1991)

Albums as a Supporting Musician

Mickey Bass also played bass on many albums for other famous musicians. With Art Blakey

• Child's Dance (Prestige, 1972)
• Buhaina (Prestige, 1973)
• Anthenagin (Prestige, 1973)

With Curtis Fuller

• Smokin' (Mainstream, 1972)

With Philly Joe Jones

• Mean What You Say (Sonet, 1977)

With Jimmy McGriff

• Concert: Friday the 13th - Cook County Jail (Groove Merchant. 1972 [1973])

With Hank Mobley

• Thinking of Home (Blue Note, 1973)

With Ramon Morris

• Sweet Sister Funk (Groove Merchant, 1973)

With Lee Morgan

• The Sixth Sense (Blue Note, 1968 [1999])

With Bobby Timmons

• Chicken & Dumplin's (Prestige, 1965)
• Soul Food (Prestige, 1966)

With Reuben Wilson

• The Sweet Life (Groove Merchant, 1973)