James Jamerson Jr
James Jamerson Jr, 1958- March 24th 2016 (Motor City, Detroit, Michigan, USA) . James Jamerson Jr. is the son of the most influential bassist in the history of rock ‘n’ roll the late great James Jamerson. James Jr. recalls his father got his bass style from watching the back-end motion of an over weight lady. James Jr. has bravely followed in his fathers foot steps … awesome footsteps to follow. James’s father would be extremely proud for James Jr. himself is a great bassist and a very sort after bass sessionist.
Chanson, a duo comprising guitarist David Williams, and bassist James Jamerson Jr, the son of the legendary Motown bass player James Jamerson. The two built a reputation via their extensive session work before cutting their own LP Chanson, on Ariola Records. Jamerson, a native of Detroit, distinguished himself playing behind Aretha Franklin, Johnny Bristol, Margie Joseph, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, and others. As a kid he hung around Motown taking in all the magnificent sounds that bounced around the little house at 2648 W. Grand Blvd. He met Williams while on the road with Temptations, Williams, at the time, was playing behind the Dells. Williams was born in Newport News, VA and played his first professional gig with the Dells in 1969, the association ended when he joined the Army, but the two reunited in 1973, and stayed together until 1975. After a stint with Tyrone Davis, he took a job playing with the Temptations’ road band, where he and Jamerson brain stormed the Chanson idea, and began laying tracks. Their only album featured Earth, Wind & Fire’s horn section, and Boz Scaggs’ rhythm section. It spawned one hit “Don’t Hold Back,” witch entered the R&B top ten at #8, and soared to #21 Pop in 1978. None of the other cuts did anything, so they returned to studio work and playing behind major artists on the road.
Expand and click on the album for more information: