James Lee Jamerson, born on January 29, 1936, was a pioneering bass genius whose melodic fills, string-raked walking lines, chromatic passing tones, and dizzying syncopations forged the template for modern electric bass playing. His innovations had a profound impact on the music industry, influencing countless bassists and shaping the sound of countless iconic recordings. Despite his immense talent, recognition for Jamerson only came after his untimely death in 1983 at the age of 47.