James Jamerson Jr.


James Jamerson Jr. 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

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

Selected discography

With TavaresCheck It Out
With SylvesterStep II
With High InergyShoulda Gone Dancin'
With The Crusaders with B.B. King and the Royal Philharmonic OrchestraRoyal Jam
With Janet JacksonJanet Jackson
With DeBargeIn a Special Way
With Smokey RobinsonTouch the Sky
With Teena MarieStarchild
With The TemptationsTruly for You
With Philip BaileyThe Wonders of His Love
With Bob DylanKnocked Out Loaded
With Aretha FranklinAretha
With Wayne Kramer