UNKNOWN BASSIST -BB KING, LIVE IN CANNES

[Humbucker3]

On every day I have the blues, (and I’ve heard many bassists play this, like Dave Bronze on a 5-String Stingray with Clapton) I’d like to know the incredible, unlisted bassist that BB picked up for this show. The full range octave, walking lines and the spit, this guy throws in, affected me so much-I tracked down and bought the CD in 2022. It builds, then he lays back, and during the quiet part, just beautiful in-time, walking bass.
I first heard the clip on YouTube. It is not an easy search or discovery but I put the challenge out.

 

[jerry]

Tagging on for the answer...........badass playing but I'm not sure it fits with the King. IMHO

 

[5StringBlues]

If it was his regular bassist from that time period, it's Russell Jackson.

I will try to text him later and see if it's him.

 

[Humbucker3]

If it was his regular bassist from that time period, it's Russell Jackson.

View attachment 4617355


I will try to text him later and see if it's him.

I read that BB picked up a French backing band in Cannes but not sure where I read it. On Neil Slaven’s CD liner notes, he only mentions band leader, Calvin Owens broadening his palette with BB’S THEME. The concert date was 1983. See photo.

 

[Humbucker3]

Tagging on for the answer...........badass playing but I'm not sure it fits with the King. IMHO

Yes, band leader, Calvin Owens broadening his palette with BB’S THEME. This French bassist (if this is true) is not by any means, a bassist I’ve heard BB play with, or take that much -of an out front voice throughout the whole song.

 

[Humbucker3]

Was hard to buy this anywhere. It is on Apple Music, but I wanted the actual CD with notes.

 

[5StringBlues]

I read that BB picked up a French backing band in Cannes but not sure where I read it. On Neil Slaven’s CD liner notes, he only mentions band leader, Calvin Owens broadening his palette with BB’S THEME. The concert date was 1983. See photo.

What is the clip in your first post? It says "video unavailable".


The BB's Theme clip bassist doesn't sound like Russell.

 

[5StringBlues]

Just got a text back, Russell says he was there.


@Humbucker3 Russell lives in Canada now.


Here's his website home and I'm pretty sure he has a FB page if you want to contact.

 

[jerry]

Just got a text back, Russell says he was there.


@Humbucker3 Russell lives in Canada now.


Here's his website home and I'm pretty sure he has a FB page if you want to contact.

It doesn't sound like Russell to me.

 

[jerry]

What is the clip in your first post? It says "video unavailable".


The BB's Theme clip bassist doesn't sound like Russell.

 

[5StringBlues]

It doesn't sound like Russell to me.

Me neither, but I didn't hear him live until 2017 or so. Who knows what he sounded like in 1983.

But I can't imagine they would credit "the BB King Orchestra" if they hired pickups.


I'll see what James Bolden has to say next time I run into him.

 

[5StringBlues]

It's Russell, they say his name right after the song.

 

[Durham52]

It's Russell, they say his name right after the song.

They sure do. That puts this debate to bed I guess. (Saw Mr. King and his band down here in Australia, either 83 or 84, just brilliant.)

 

[Humbucker3]

When I first saw this on PBS in 1994, Dave Bronze played such dynamic walking lines, propelling the entire band on his 5 String Stingray. I taped it on VHS as that is all we had really, in ‘94. Clapton and band have other versions -but this is the one. A few months later, I had VIP seats at the LA forum to see Eric and he had Bronze with him. Very disappointing. I was expecting a hot performance as on the Martin Scorsese blues production. How great to hear BB and his band, really do a fantastic version. This is the only clip on YouTube of the 1994 Fillmore show: (with Dave Bronze)

 

[Humbucker3]

If it was his regular bassist from that time period, it's Russell Jackson.

View attachment 4617355


I will try to text him later and see if it's him.

Thank you for the info. Found him on Facebook. Has his location in Houston but he does like the Toronto Blue Jays so Canada would be correct. A very unique walking bass on this particular tune.