About
Originator for the pizzicato and arco bass solos and who played with Duke Ellington's band.
Before Fame
He attended Tennessee State University and started playing with college bands before leaving to work with the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra.
Trivia
He died in a sanatorium when he was twenty-three years old.
Family Life
He was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Associated With
Both Blanton and Cootie Williams played in Duke Ellington's band.
