Donald Neff Bagley (July 18, 1927 – July 26, 2012) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

bassist.

Career

Bagley was born on July 18, 1927, in

Salt Lake City Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, the most populous county in the state. The city is the core of the Salt Lake Ci ...

Utah Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northea ...

. He received formal training on the

double bass The double bass (), also known as the upright bass, the acoustic bass, the bull fiddle, or simply the bass, is the largest and lowest-pitched string instrument, chordophone in the modern orchestra, symphony orchestra (excluding rare additions ...

. He studied in Los Angeles and played in 1945 with

Shorty Sherock Clarence Francis Cherock known professionally as Shorty Sherock (November 17, 1915 – February 19, 1980) was an American Swing music, swing jazz trumpeter. Career He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Sherock attended the Morgan ...

and

Wingy Manone Joseph Matthews "Wingy" Manone (February 13, 1900 – July 9, 1982) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, singer, and bandleader. His recordings included " Tar Paper Stomp", "Nickel in the Slot", "Downright Disgusted Blues", "There'll Come a ...

, and in 1948 with Dick Pierce. From 1950 to 1953, and sporadically thereafter, Bagley played with

Stan Kenton Stanley Newcomb Kenton (December 15, 1911 – August 25, 1979) was an American popular music and jazz artist. As a pianist, composer, arranger and band leader, he led an innovative and influential jazz orchestra for almost four decades. Though ...

; during Bagley's time with Kenton, "A Study for Bass" by

Bill Russo William Joseph Russo (June 25, 1928 – January 11, 2003) was an American composer, arranger, and musician from Chicago, Illinois, United States. History A student of jazz pianist Lennie Tristano, Russo wrote orchestral scores for the Stan Ke ...

and "Bags" by Bill Holman were written to feature Bagley's playing. Beginning in 1954, he fronted his own ensembles. Between 1950 and 1952, he worked extensively as a

session musician A session musician (also known as studio musician or backing musician) is a musician hired to perform in a recording session or a live performance. The term sideman is also used in the case of live performances, such as accompanying a reco ...

with

Nat King Cole Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, alternatively billed as Nat "King" Cole, was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. Cole's career as a jazz and Traditional pop, pop ...

Maynard Ferguson Walter Maynard Ferguson CM (May 4, 1928 – August 23, 2006) was a Canadian jazz trumpeter and bandleader. He came to prominence in Stan Kenton's orchestra before forming his own big band in 1957. He was noted for his bands, which often served ...

, and

Dexter Gordon Dexter Gordon (February 27, 1923 – April 25, 1990) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. He was among the most influential early bebop musicians. Gordon's height was , so he was also known as "Long Tall Dexter" an ...

. In the middle of the 1950s, he played in Europe with

Zoot Sims John Haley "Zoot" Sims (October 29, 1925 – March 23, 1985) was an American jazz saxophonist, playing mainly tenor but also alto (and, later, soprano) saxophone. He first gained attention in the "Four Brothers" sax section of Woody Herman's big ...

Lars Gullin Lars Gunnar Victor Gullin (4 May 1928 – 17 May 1976) was a Swedish jazz saxophonist. Career Lars Gullin was born in Visby, Sweden. He was a child prodigy on the accordion. At age thirteen, he played clarinet in a military band and later l ...

Frank Rosolino Frank Rosolino (August 20, 1926 – November 26, 1978) was an American jazz trombonist. Biography Rosolino was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States, He performed with the big bands of Bob Chester, Glen Gray, Tony Pastor, Herbie Fields, G ...

, and

Åke Persson Åke Persson (February 25, 1932 – February 5, 1975) was a Swedish bebop jazz trombonist. Biography Persson was born in Hässleholm, southern Sweden and started his music career by playing valve trumpet in school. Persson, known as "the Comet" ...

. Between 1956 and 1967, he again worked with Kenton and with Les Brown; toward the end of the 1950s, he also played with Jimmie Rowles,

Shelly Manne Sheldon "Shelly" Manne (June 11, 1920 – September 26, 1984) was an American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West Coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, ...

, and

Phil Woods Philip Wells Woods (November 2, 1931 – September 29, 2015) was an American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader, and composer. Biography Woods was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. After inheriting a saxophone at age 12, he began t ...

. In 1957 and 1958, he recorded three albums under his own name. In 1959 he played with

Pete Fountain Pierre Dewey LaFontaine Jr. (July 3, 1930 – August 6, 2016), known professionally as Pete Fountain, was an American jazz clarinetist. Early life and education LaFontaine was born to Pierre, Sr. and Madeline, in a small Creole cottage-style fr ...

; in 1961, he did a session with

Ben Webster Benjamin Francis Webster (March 27, 1909 – September 20, 1973) was an American jazz tenor Saxophone, saxophonist. He performed in the United States and Europe and made many recordings with Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Johnny Hodges, a ...

. In 1964, he performed in Japan with

Julie London Julie London (born Julie Peck; September 26, 1926 – October 18, 2000) was an American singer and actress whose career spanned more than 40 years. A torch song, torch singer noted for her contralto voice, London recorded over thirty album ...

. In the 1970s and 1980s, Bagley composed and arranged for film and television, including the scores to ''

Mama's Dirty Girls ''Mama's Dirty Girls'' is a 1974 exploitation film starring Gloria Grahame and Candice Rialson about a woman and her three daughters who murder men for money. Producer Ed Carlin later commented, "If you haven’t seen it, you didn’t miss much. ...

'' (1974), ''The Manhandlers'' (1974), ''

The Swinging Barmaids ''The Swinging Barmaids'' is a 1975 American exploitation film about a serial killer who targets cocktail waitresses. The film was directed by Gus Trikonis, and stars Bruce Watson, Laura Hippe, William Smith, and Dyanne Thorne. It was re-released i ...

'' (1975), ''

The Student Body ''The Student Body'' is a 1976 American exploitation film directed by Gus Trikonis. It was also known as ''The Classroom Teasers''. Premise A psychiatrist arranges to test a drug on three girls who are fresh out of reformatory. The girls are unawar ...

'' (1976), ''

Young Lady Chatterley ''Young Lady Chatterley'' is an American 1977 softcore pornographic film directed by Alan Roberts and starring Harlee McBride, Peter Ratray, and Lawrence Montaigne. The film was followed by a sequel in 1985, ''Young Lady Chatterley II''. Prem ...

'' (1977) and '' Sacred Ground'' (1983). Between 1976 and 1984, he worked with

Burt Bacharach Burt Freeman Bacharach ( ; May 12, 1928 – February 8, 2023) was an American composer, songwriter, record producer, and pianist who is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential figures of 20th-century popular music. Start ...

. Bagley died on July 26, 2012, at the age of 85.

Discography

* ''Basically Bagley'' (Dot, 1957) with

Jimmy Rowles James George Hunter (August 19, 1918 – May 28, 1996), known professionally as Jimmy Rowles (sometimes spelled Jimmie Rowles), was an American jazz pianist, vocalist, and composer. As a bandleader and accompanist, he explored multiple styles in ...

* ''Jazz On The Rocks'' (Regent, 1958; CD reissue on Blue Moon, 1999) with

Eddie Costa Edwin James Costa (August 14, 1930 – July 28, 1962) was an American jazz pianist, vibraphonist, composer and arranger. In 1957, he was chosen as ''DownBeat'' jazz critics' new star on piano and vibes – the first time that one artist won two ...

Sal Salvador Sal Salvador (November 21, 1925 – September 22, 1999), whose name was originally Silvio Smiraglia, was an American bebop jazz guitarist and a prominent music educator. He was born in Monson, Massachusetts, United States, and began his profession ...

Charlie Persip Charles Lawrence Persip (July 26, 1929 – August 23, 2020), known as Charli Persip and formerly as Charlie Persip (he changed the spelling of his name to Charli in the late 1960s), was an American jazz drummer. Biography Born in Morristown, N ...

* ''The Soft Sell'' (Dot, 1958; CD reissue on Blue Moon, 1999) with Paul Horn, Jimmy Rowles, Shelly Manne

As sideman

With

The Everly Brothers The Everly Brothers were an American rock duo, known for steel-string acoustic guitar playing and close-harmony singing. Consisting of Isaac Donald "Don" Everly and Phillip "Phil" Everly, the duo combined elements of rock and roll, country, ...

* '' In Our Image'' (Warner Bros., 1966) * '' The Everly Brothers Sing'' (Warner Bros., 1967) With

*''

Innovations in Modern Music ''Innovations in Modern Music'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton with his "Innovations" Orchestra featuring performances recorded in 1950 and originally released on the Capitol label.Vosbein, PStan Kenton Discographyaccessed Apr ...

'' (Capitol, 1950) *''

Stan Kenton Presents ''Stan Kenton Presents'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton with his "Innovations" Orchestra featuring performances recorded in 1950 and originally released as 78 RPM records and a 10-inch LP on Capitol before being reissued in 12- ...

'' (Capitol, 1950) *''

Popular Favorites by Stan Kenton Popularity or social status is the quality of being well liked, admired or well known to a particular group. Popular may also refer to: In sociology * Popular culture * Popular fiction * Popular music * Popular science * Populace, the tota ...

'' (Capitol, 1953) *''

Sketches on Standards ''Sketches on Standards'' (subtitled ''Request selections from the Kenton Dance Library'') is an album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton featuring performances of jazz standards recorded in 1953 and originally released on the Capitol label a ...

'' (Capitol, 1953) *''

This Modern World ''This Modern World'' is a weekly satirical comic strip by cartoonist and political commentator Tom Tomorrow (real name Dan Perkins) that covers current events from a left-wing point of view. Published continuously for more than 30 years, ''This ...

'' (Capitol, 1953) *''

Portraits on Standards ''Portraits on Standards'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton with featuring performances of jazz standards recorded in 1953 and originally released on the Capitol label as a 10-inch LP.Vosbein, PStan Kenton Discographyaccessed Ap ...

'' (Capitol, 1953) *''

Kenton Showcase ''Kenton Showcase'' refers to two 10-inch LPs by bandleader Stan Kenton recorded in early 1954 on Capitol, one each featuring compositions by Bill Holman and Bill Russo. These albums were combined as a 12-inch LP in 1955.Vosbein, PStan Kenton Di ...

'' (Capitol, 1954) *''

The Kenton Era ''The Kenton Era'' is a compilation album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton featuring recordings from 1940 to 1954 which was originally released in two limited edition box sets, as fifteen 7 inch 45 rpm discs and four 12 inch LPs, on Capitol ...

'' (Capitol, 1955) *'' Kenton with Voices'' (Capitol, 1957) *'' Lush Interlude'' (Capitol, 1958) *''

Two Much! ''Two Much!'' is an album by vocalist Ann Richards (singer), Ann Richards and the Stan Kenton Orchestra recorded in 1960 and released by Capitol Records, and later on Kenton's own Creative World label.Vosbein, PStan Kenton Discographyaccessed A ...

'' (Capitol, 1960) with

Ann Richards Dorothy Ann Richards (née Willis; September 1, 1933 – September 13, 2006) was an American politician who served as the 45th governor of Texas from 1991 to 1995. A Democrat, she first came to national attention as the Texas State Treasurer, ...

*''

Stan Kenton! Tex Ritter! ''Stan Kenton! Tex Ritter!'' is an album by the Stan Kenton Orchestra with country music vocalist Tex Ritter performing country music compositions arranged in a big band style recorded and released by Capitol Records in 1962.Vosbein, PStan Kenton ...

'' (Capitol, 1962) with

Tex Ritter Woodward Maurice "Tex" Ritter (January 12, 1905 – January 2, 1974) was a pioneer of American country music, a singer, and an actor from the mid-1930s into the 1960s. He was the patriarch of the Ritter acting family (son John Ritter, grandso ...

*''

Artistry in Bossa Nova ''Artistry in Bossa Nova'' is an album by the Stan Kenton Orchestra performing old and new compositions arranged in a bossa nova style recorded and released by Capitol Records in 1963.Vosbein, PStan Kenton Discographyaccessed June 9, 2016 Recep ...

'' (Capitol, 1963) *''

Artistry in Voices and Brass ''Artistry in Voices and Brass'' is an album by the Stan Kenton Orchestra revisiting their popular compositions with new lyrics composed by Milt Raskin and arranged by Pete Rugolo for an 18-member vocal chorus and trombone section recorded in 196 ...

'' (Capitol, 1963) *''

Kenton / Wagner ''Kenton / Wagner'' is an album by the Stan Kenton Orchestra performing jazz arrangements of Richard Wagner's compositions recorded in 1964 and released by Capitol Records.Vosbein, PStan Kenton Discographyaccessed June 9, 2016 Reception The All ...

'' (Capitol, 1964) *'' The World We Know'' (Capitol, 1967) *'' The Jazz Compositions of Dee Barton'' (Capitol, 1967) *'' The Innovations Orchestra'' (Capitol, 1997) With

Lee Konitz Leon "Lee" Konitz (October 13, 1927 – April 15, 2020) was an American jazz Alto saxophone, alto saxophonist and composer. He performed successfully in a wide range of jazz styles, including bebop, cool jazz, and avant-garde jazz. Konitz's ass ...

*'' Lee Konitz Plays'' (Disques Vogue, 1953) With

Randy Newman Randall Stuart Newman (born November 28, 1943) is an American singer, songwriter, arranger, pianist, composer, conductor and orchestrator. He is known for his non-rhotic Southern American English, Southern-accented singing style, early America ...

* ''

'' (Reprise, 1968) With

Shorty Rogers Milton "Shorty" Rogers (born Milton Rajonsky; April 14, 1924 – November 7, 1994) was an American jazz musician, one of the principal creators of West Coast jazz. He played trumpet and flugelhorn and was in demand for his skills as an arra ...

*''

Modern Sounds ''Modern Sounds'' is the debut album by trumpeter and bandleader Shorty Rogers, featuring performances recorded in late 1951 and originally released in 1952 as a 10-inch LP on the Capitol label.Edwards, D., Eyries, P. and Callahan, MCapitol Alb ...

'' (Capitol, 1951) With

Pete Rugolo Pietro Rugolo (December 25, 1915 – October 16, 2011), known professionally as Pete Rugolo, was an American jazz composer, arranger, and record producer. Life and career Rugolo was born in San Piero Patti, Sicily. His family emigrated to the ...

*'' Rugolo Plays Kenton'' (EmArcy, 1958) With

Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Honorific nicknames in popular music, Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes", he is regarded as one of the Time 100: The Most I ...

* '' That's Life'' (Reprise, 1966) With

Nancy Sinatra Nancy Sandra Sinatra (born June 8, 1940) is an American singer, actress, film producer and author. She is the elder daughter of Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra ( Barbato) and is known for her 1965 signature hit " These Boots Are Made for Walki ...

* ''

Boots A boot is a type of footwear. Most boots mainly cover the foot and the ankle, while some also cover some part of the lower calf. Some boots extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Most boots have a heel that is clearl ...

'' (Reprise Records, 1966) With The Sugar Shoppe * ''The Sugar Shoppe'' (Now Sounds, 1968) With

*'' The Warm Moods'' (Reprise, 1961)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bagley, Don 1927 births 2012 deaths American jazz double-bassists American male double-bassists West Coast jazz double-bassists Musicians from Salt Lake City Savoy Records artists American session musicians American male jazz musicians