A bassist/composer, he is recognized as one of the most technically gifted bassists in modern music. A member of the John Coltrane Quartet, his fifty-year career includes performances and recordings with almost every notable figure in the jazz world, including Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, and Miles Davis. He has received numerous awards for both jazz and jazz education. Current projects include Trio 3, the African-American Legacy Project, and the Sculptured Sounds Music Festival.