Jack Fallon

The premier British jazz bassist of the postwar era, Jack Fallon had a thick, rich tone that redefined the instrument for successive generations to follow. Born in London, Ontario, on October 13, 1915, Fallon first adopted the violin before switching to bass at age 20 -- while serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, he played as a member of the RCAF Streamliners dance band, and remained in Britain when his tour of duty ended. In April 1946 Fallon joined Ted Heath's famed big band, moonlighting in support of London's fledgling bebop community -- in stark co...