HARRY BABASIN

Nicknamed "the Bear" because of his imposing presence and the way he clawed at his instrument, Harry Babasin was a heavy presence as a creative and innovative bassist. He was also the first to record jazz solos on the cello in 1947. He has also been credited with being among the first jazz players to work in the Brazilian bossa nova style, and being one of the only bassists of his generation to become a bandleader. Some of the others who did, however, left even bigger footprints than the Bear may have, especially Charles Mingus. Like Mingus, Babasin was also a highly regarded record producer of his own short-lived jazz label. He was a Texan by birth and the son of an Armenian dentist and a Texas school music teacher. He studied many different instruments before focusing on the bass. He went to North Texas State University, contributing to this read more...