Carol Kaye is a pioneering bassist who shaped the sound of modern music. With her inventive lines and impeccable timing, Kaye was a key architect behind countless rock, pop, R&B, and film recordings. Though rarely in the spotlight, her playing powered the work of legends, from the Beach Boys and Simon and Garfunkel to the Supremes and Frank Zappa. A first-call member of the elite stable of Los Angeles session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew, Kaye played on an estimated 10,000 recordings, making her one of the most recorded bassists in history. Her musical intuition, sense of rhythm, and deep understanding of harmony redefined what the electric bass could do in popular music – serving not just as a supporting instrument but also as a melodic voice central to composition, arrangement, and groove.

Kaye began her career in the 1950s as a guitar teacher and jazz guitarist performing in clubs around Southern California. She started doing session work in 1957 and transitioned to electric bass in 1963 – a move that would make her a cornerstone of the booming Los Angeles studio scene. From that point forward, Kaye became indispensable. Her propulsive, melodic bass lines can be heard on everything from the Beach Boys’ “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” to Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” to the theme from Mission: Impossible. Whether she was laying down grooves for Motown’s West Coast sessions or contributing to film soundtracks under composers like Quincy Jones and Lalo Schifrin, Kaye brought unparalleled versatility and precision to every recording.

Beyond her session work, Kaye was also a respected educator, authoring bass instruction books and videos and teaching generations of musicians how to approach the instrument with feel and finesse. As one of the most prolific and influential musicians of all time, she shattered gender barriers and inspired generations of female musicians to pick up the bass. In a career spanning over 65 years, Carol Kaye is a foundational figure in American music – a groundbreaking artist whose playing still resonates through every note of the immortal songs she helped create.

Selected discography: “La Bamba,” Ritchie Valens (1958) • “Then He Kissed Me,” the Crystals (1963) • “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” the Righteous Brothers (1964) • “Homeward Bound,” Simon and Garfunkel (1966) • “Theme from Mission: Impossible,” Lalo Schifrin (1966) • “River Deep, Mountain High,” Ike and Tina Turner (1966) • Pet Sounds, the Beach Boys (1966) • “The Beat Goes On,” Sonny and Cher (1967) • “Wichita Lineman,” Glen Campbell (1968) • “Feelin’ Alright,” Joe Cocker (1969) • “Suicide Is Painless (Theme from M*A*S*H)”, Johnny Mandel (1970)