James Jamerson Jr. (born James L. Jamerson III; August 24, 1957 – March 23, 2016)[1] was an American bass player and noted studio musician. During his over three-decades long career he recorded with Bob Dylan, Tavares, The Temptations, and many more.

Life and career

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Jamerson Jr. was born in Detroit to legendary session bass player James Jamerson, a cornerstone member of Motown's famed house band, The Funk Brothers.[2]

In the early 1970s, Jamerson, Jr. became an in-demand session bassist. In the next three decades he played on the studio albums by Janet Jackson, Smokey Robinson, and Aretha Franklin, to name a few.[3]

In the late 1970s, he formed a studio disco group, Chanson, along with guitarist David Williams. Their only charted single, "Don't Hold Back" reached No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979 and No. 18 in Canada.[4]

Jamerson died in Detroit on March 23, 2016, at age 58. He had suffered for years with ankylosing spondylitis.[2][5]

Selected discography

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With Tavares

With Sylvester

With High Inergy

With The Crusaders with B.B. King and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

With Janet Jackson

With DeBarge

With Smokey Robinson

With Teena Marie

With The Temptations

With Philip Bailey

With Bob Dylan

With Aretha Franklin

With Wayne Kramer

References

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  1. ^ "In Memory of James L. Jamerson III". frontrunnerpro.com. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "James Jamerson Jr. Passes". Vintage Guitar. 30 March 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  3. ^ "R.I.P. Funk Brother James Jamerson Jr 1958-2016". noise11.com. March 25, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  4. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - February 17, 1979" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Bassist James Jamerson Jr. made a name of his own". Detroit Free Press. March 25, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
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