Best known for his work with the Bill Evans trio, bassist Scott LaFaro was born on April, 3, 1936 in Newark, New Jersey. Despite the brevity of his career, LaFaro has had a lasting impact on jazz bassists for his innovative approach to the instrument. He developed countermelodic lines as opposed to the traditional “walking” basslines used up until that time.

Scott LaFaro played piano as a child, bass clarinet in middle school and tenor saxophone in high school. When he went to college to major in music education, it was required that he learn a string instrument, and it was at that time that he took up the double bass. He attended Ithaca College in New York state where he concentrated on bass as his primary instrument, playing gigs around the area.

In 1955 LaFaro joined trombonist Buddy Morrow’s big band before relocating to Los Angeles where he played with pianist and vibraphonist Victor Feldman. While on the west coast he also played with Chet baker, Cal Tjader and Stan Kenton before returning to the east coast to join pianist Bill Evans’ group after Evans left Miles Davis’ employ. In the Evans group, LaFaro, Evans and drummer Paul Motian worked to create three equal voices with no specific player having the job of keeping the beat. It was during this time that LaFaro developed his countermelodic style.

By 1961 Scott LaFaro was in demand as a bassist and replaced Charlie Haden as the bassist in the Ornette Coleman group. He also played with Stan Getz and reportedly received an offer from Miles Davis. Unfortunately, on July 6, 1961 LaFaro was killed in an automobile accident in Seneca, New York, just four days after playing with Getz at the Newport Jazz Festival.

Here is a link to the only known footage of Scott LaFaro playing live. It’s a 1958 performance from the Los Angeles based television program “Stars of Jazz” hosted by Bobby Troup and featuring LaFaro playing with Richie Kamuca’s group:

"STARS OF JAZZ"