This was an era when some of the greatest music was ever made. On any given record or jingle session you could find members and alumni of New York's symphonic orchestras sitting side by side with those of the NBC, CBS, and Duke Ellington orchestras, as well as the bands of Ray Charles, King Curtis, Lionel Hampton, , Woodie Herman, Stan Kenton and Count Basie.
He was the backbone of a consortium of the world's greatest rhythm sections Rhythm Sections that included Eric Gale, Billy Butler, Vinnie Bell, Cornell Dupree, Carl Lynch, Wally Richardson, Hugh McCraken, Herb Lovelle, Paul Griffin, Frank Owens, James Booker, Herbie Hancock, Bob James, Jimmy Johnson, Gary Chester, Bernard Pretty Purdie, Ray Barretto, Montego Joe, & Johnny Pacheco in New York and Roger Hawkins, Jimmy Johnson, Barry Beckett, Duane Allman & Bobby Womack In Muscle Shoals.
Raised in a musical household Jemmott caught the bass bug at an early age, and is living proof of the undeniably awesome and imperceptible power of music.
I was shy, withdrawn, and lost during my early childhood. Fortunately I was found at the age of 10 by the great bassist, Mr. Paul Chambers (April 22nd,1935 - January 4th,1969) when my sister Janet played the Miles Davis Quintet recording of If I Were a Bell. And I declared Thats what I want to do! The persistently passionate, articulate and funky bass lines that Paul laid down lit a fire in me, as they still do today. I was subsequently captured and spellbound by the artistry and music of Charles Mingus, Horace Silver, Carmen Macrae, John Coltrane, Betty Carter, Thelonious Monk, Ray Charles, Ben Webster, Cannonball Adderly, Count Basis, and their contemporaries".
Jemmott's encounter with the genius of Paul Chambers was followed by his mothers response to begin classical string bass lessons at the age of 11. He began his career as a professional musician at the age of 12 when he was "drafted" into the Smilin' Henry and The Rhythm Makers band after they heard him playing in a band at the Freeman Street Boys Club. By the time he turned 16 Jerry was playing in Mercer Ellington's big band and other Jazz, Latin, and Society bands in the bars, nightclubs, ballrooms, and other institutions in, and around, New York City. In 1967 Jemmott was discovered, baptized, and launched by one of the most innovative and prolific musicians of all time, saxophone great, King Curtis.
In 1984 one of Jerry's illustrious bass disciples told Guitar Player magazine, "He was my idol. Making sounds I wanted to make. That stuttering kind of bass line, bouncing all around the beat, but keeping right in the groove well they dont call Jerry the Groovemaster for nothing. Hes the best". That same year he told Guitar World, "I am just a poor imitation of Gerald Jemmott". The disciples name? Jaco Pastorius.
A recipient of the 2001 Bass Player Magazines Lifetime Achievement Award Jerry's career now spans 6 decades in which he has arranged and conducted music for films, Broadway musicals and Off-Broadway shows. But most of all he cherishes the honor and continuing good fortune to perform and/or record with the most innovative Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, Blues, and Contemporary artists of our time. Some of his most memorable and historic "encounters with greatness" involved; King Curtis, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Freddie King, Nina Simone, John Williams, Charles Earland, The Boston Pops, Roberta Flack, Lionel Hampton, Bette Midler, Tucker Smallwood, Irene Reid, Erroll Garner, Freddie Hubbard, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, George Benson, Archie Shepp, Gil Scott Heron, Chuck Berry, Arlen Roth, Wilson Pickett, The Rascals, his fellow side-men, protgs, disciples, and of course, the members of Jerry Jemmott & Souler Energy. His work and life have been chronicled in several International Music Magazines. Among the highlights of the Groovemaster's extensive catalog of compositions and songs are "So Excited" and "You're Mean", recorded by B.B. King. His solo recordings consist of two CDs for P-Vine Records. The first, "Caught in the Low Beam". The second, "The New York View", with Bill "Junior Linton. His latest recording is a 69 minute tour de force of Cool Groove Jazz, Blues & Rhythm and Blues, "Make It Happen!" for Whatcha Gonna Do Records. He makes a rare cameo appearance in the film, Mitchellville.
In his continuing efforts to pass the torch and make a difference, he has written two International Magazine Articles and four books, as well as "Modern Electric Bass" with Jaco Pastorius. He is also the author of "There's Music In Everyone!", "Jerry Jemmott's Blues and Rhythm & Blues Bass Techniques". In pre production are JAMBOREE an interactive entertaining & educational video game version of "There's Music In Everyone! On audio and videocassette you can find "The Complete Bassist", and "Jerry Jemmott's Bass Master Class" (transcribed and engraved by his multi-talented friend and disciple, Fred Paterno).
Frequently in tandem with performances of Jerry Jemmott & Souler Energy there are the Personal Expression Through Musicianship Workshops/Clinics based upon Synchronization of the Five Elements and the Five Components, of Souler Energy that make up P.E.T.M. as outlined in his book There's Music In Everyone!"
As I look at the world today I realize that ever since man deviated from the fact that all life is equal and declared that his species was superior to all other life on this planet the quality of life on and for Mother Earth has been on a downward spiral. There is a need to foster the understanding and the practice of the law of causality to change this fundamental misconception. There is no coincidence that I was selected to participate in recording hit songs that have illuminated the times during my on going career. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, People Gotta Be Free, The Universal Prisoner Think; Eleanor Rigby, Attica Blues, Why I Sing The Blues and The Thrill Is Gone tell the truth, take a stand, refute the lies, undo the brainwashing and tell the story of whats goin on. They have helped to foster an awakened awareness of all those around the world to put an end to the poisonous injustices that arise from the conflicts of man vs. man vs. Mother Earth, and a need, to stand together in this cause or continue being HUMAN LIVESTOCK.
If we focus on the law of cause and effect to use as a tool to enlighten and illuminate the issue of our egocentric values and harmonize them in accordance with our interdependence with all living existence and spirits that reside in the universe we will all live a better life. I have learned that inherent within my practice of Nichiren Shoshu True Buddhism http://www.nstny.org/ that is based upon this law of causality, is a self sustaining delivery system that produces an environment to attain freedom from fear, enlightenment and excellence, in everyday life for all that exists. In addition these benefits are extended to our ancestors and our unborn relatives who thirst for our help.
In light of all of my success I am most fortunate to have the love and support of my family, friends and associates, and proud to be the son of Jessie & Joseph Jemmott social activist during their time, the father of Jeanine, Tishiro, and Isis and the brother of Drs. Janet & Bob Moses, founders of the Algebra Project, http://www.algebra.org an integral part of their continuing efforts to attain civil and human rights for African Americans, that grew out of their voter registration work in Mississippi during the 1960's.