Pino Palladino is the bass players bass player because he is 1) extremely versatile, 2) innovative and inspiring in many genres and 3) he has got a sense of groove and timing that is unheard of.

The 52 year old Cardif, Wales native is best known for his session work, but Palladino has also joined several bands and ensembles through which he is most visible. He joined jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove in forming The RH Factor, a band that mixes elements of soul, jazz, and R&B. He is a member of the John Mayer Trio, and was the first choice by Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey to fill the position left by John Entwistle as the current bassist for The Who.

He has become one of the most sought-after session players on the bass in the music industry. He has played on a large number of recordings by some of the world’s most successful entertainers. Four videos with some of his best work:

1985: Paul Young – Wherever I Lay My Hat

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Pino’s claim to fame. Everyone knows that fretless bas intro. Most probably most people thought it was some kind of synthesizer. Not. This is Pino’s melodic side.

1999: D’Angelo – Chicken Grease

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Almost 15 years later. Out of the blue comes Pino again with mind blowing funk lines on D’Angelo’s Voodoo album. His timing is unparalleled, it is on the one, the two and in between. This is Pino’s funky timing side.

2007: The Who – My Generation

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After D’Angelo Pino could pretty much land any gig that he wanted. The fact that he accepted an offer by The Who (after the sudden death of John Entwistle) shows just how many sides this man has got. This is the rocking Pino.

2009: John Mayer – Who Did You Think I Was

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Kick ass live performance by Dutch progressive rock band Focus from my year of birth. The 1973 lineup is Jan Akkerman on guitar (spanking his Gibson Les Paul), Pierre van der Linden on drums, Thijs van Leer on Hammond, flute and vocals and Bert Ruiter on bass.