Jacob Benjamin Fite

Whether they're sweetening an album track, dubbing in the instrumental parts of a rock anthem, or producing sonic genius on demand, studio musicians are an integral part of music history. Despite their vast contributions, many session players remain unsung heroes and rarely get credited for their work on classic albums. One of the most famous examples is the bassist Carol Kaye. During the rock and roll boom of the 1960s, there was an unprecedented need for session musicians to flesh out popular recordings. Unlike earlier eras, where producers often relied on local bands to fill out sessions, most rock and pop artists of the time were solo acts. Record companies preferred hiring skilled professional musicians with various abilities to bring their songs to life in the studio quickly. Hal Blaine was one of history's most accomplished and respected session drummers. He backed up Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Barbra Streisand and many others. He played on dozens of hit...

Motown was one of the most successful Black-owned record companies in history, founded by Berry Gordy in Detroit in 1959. He specialized in producing soul music, referred to as "The Motown Sound." Its recordings featured a four-beat drum pattern, prominent electric bass lines, distinctive melodic and chord structures, and a call-and-response singing style. These defining traits were cultivated in the studio and shaped a sound that remained popular throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, James Jamerson grew up immersed in music. By age ten, he was a piano player, studied trombone in elementary school, and soaked up jazz, gospel, and blues music from local radio stations. In 1954, he relocated to Detroit with his mother and began playing in clubs in the area. He quickly made a name for himself as one of the city's finest upright bass players. He was part of a core of studio musicians known as the Funk Brothers (later credited as The Funks) and p...