The Motown sound Best known as the primary bassist for Motown Records' in-house session band, the Funk Brothers, American bassist James Jamerson played on dozens of hits during the 1960s and early '70s, among them “My Girl” (1964) and “Ain't No Mountain High Enough” (1967). (more) James Jamerson American musician Also known as: James Lee Jamerson Written by Kara Rogers Kara Rogers is the senior editor of biomedical sciences at Encyclopædia Britannica, where she oversees a range of content from medicine and genetics to microorganisms. She joined Britannica in 2006 and... Kara Rogers Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Apr. 22, 2026 •History James Jamerson (born January 29, 1936, Edisto Island, South Carolina, U.S.—died August 2, 1983, Los Angeles, California) was an American bass player best known as the primary bassist for Motown Records’ in-house session band, the Funk Brothers. Jamerson played on dozens of hits during the 1960s and early ’70s, among them “My Girl” (1964) by the Temptations and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (1967) by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. His inventive, melodic approach to...

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