Reggie Workman

Reginald "Reggie" Workman (born June 26, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American avant-garde jazz and hard bop double bassist, recognized for his work with both John Coltrane and Art Blakey.

Early in his career, Workman worked in jazz groups led by Gigi Gryce, Donald Byrd, Duke Jordan and Booker Little.

In 1961, Workman joined the John Coltrane Quartet, replacing Steve Davis.

He was present for the saxophonist's Live at the Village Vanguard sessions, and also recorded with a second bassist (Art Davis) on the 1961 album, Olé Coltrane.

Workman left Coltrane's group at the end of the year, following a European tour.

In 1962, Workman joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (replacing long-time Blakey bassist Jymie Merritt), and worked alongside Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, and Cedar Walton for most of his time in the Jazz Messengers.

Workman left Blakey's group in 1964.

Workman also played with James Moody, Yusef Lateef, Pharoah Sanders, Herbie Mann and Thelonious Monk.

He has recorded with Archie Shepp, Lee Morgan and David Murray.

Workman, with pianist Tommy Flanagan and drummer Joe Chambers, formed The Super Jazz Trio in 1978.

In 1997, Workman was named as the recipient of a Life Achievement Award by the Jazz Foundation of America and was awarded a citation of excellence by the International Association of Jazz Educators.

In 1999, the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation presented him with its Living Legacy Award.

As of 2016, he was a professor at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, and was a member of the group, Trio 3, with Oliver Lake and Andrew Cyrille.

Workman has been a resident of Montclair, New Jersey.

In 2020, he received a Guggenheim Fellowship in music composition and was named an NEA Jazz Master.

With Trio Transition

With Trio 3

With Juhani Aaltonen

With Roy Ayers

With Gary Bartz

With Art Blakey

With Hamiet Bluiett

With The Bridgewater Brothers

With Roy Brooks

With Marion Brown

With Donald Byrd

With Don Byron

With Steve Cohn

With Earl Coleman

With Johnny Coles

With Adegoke Steve Colson

With Alice Coltrane

With John Coltrane

With Stanley Cowell

With Marilyn Crispell

With Andrew Cyrille

With Sussan Deyhim

With Bill Dixon

With Eric Dolphy

With Booker Ervin