Paul Chambers
Acoustic Bass Solo on
Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise

About

Paul Chambers opens with a single chorus on acoustic bass, the first of two solos, followed by Tommy Flanagan on piano. Taken at a medium-up swing tempo of 170 BPM over the 32-bar AABA in C, the improvisation flows with assured, relaxed momentum. With Elvin Jones providing sensitive drum support, this version of Softly demonstrates that Chambers could hold the spotlight with the same authority he typically provided from the rhythm section. Recorded for the album Paul Chambers Quintet in 1957, the performance captures Paul Chambers at 21 to 22 years old. Chambers's treatment features a bass-led arrangement that puts his virtuosic abilities front and center.

Paul Chambers was 21 to 22 years old at the time.