JazzMF

Jazz research on the Internet: a continuing saga

Betts, Keter

By Leave a Comment

Bassist and educator. Born William Thomas Betts on July 22, 1928 in Port Chester, New York; died August 6, 2005 in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Betts studied music, initially drums, in New York City. He received early encouragement from bassist Milt Hinton. After high school, he spent time in Washington D.C. in 1947 and 1948, working with Carmen Leggio and Rick Henderson. A significant early milestone was touring with Earl Bostic from 1949 to September 1951.

From 1951 to 1956 he toured with Dinah Washington, initially with pianist Wynton Kelly and drummer Jimmy Cobb. Along with drummer Buddy Deppenschmitt, Betts was a member of Charlie Byrd’s trio from 1957 to 1964 and was integral to the introduction of bossa nova to the United States. He participated in the 1962 recording session for the Jazz Samba album.

His longstanding association with Ella Fitzgerald began in October 1964. From 1965 to 1967 he was a member of the house band at Blues Alley, backing all visiting artists. He toured with Fitzgerald again in 1968 and was her primary bassist from 1971 to her death in 1993, reportedly averaging thirty-six weeks on tour annually. He also made numerous local appearances during these years.

Betts taught at Howard University and in Wolf Trap programs for children.

Bibliography

Bernstein, Adam. “Keter Betts, Sideman in The Spotlight.” Washington Post. February 14, 2003.
Bernstein, Adam. “Jazz Bassist Keter Betts Dies at 77.” Washington Post. August 8, 2005.
Betts, Keter. “The First Lady’s Sideman: For Keter Betts, Playing Ella Fitzgerald Was the Gig of a Lifetime.” Washington Post. June 23, 1996.
Betts, Keter. Interview. Interview by W. Royal Stokes, March 26, 1986. W. Royal Stokes Collection. Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Betts, Keter. Interview. Interview by W. Royal Stokes, October 19, 1988. W. Royal Stokes Collection. Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Betts, Keter. Interview. Interview by W. Royal Stokes, November 14, 1988. W. Royal Stokes Collection. Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Betts, Keter. Interview. Interview by W. Royal Stokes, March 27, 1986. W. Royal Stokes Collection. Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Feather, Leonard. “Jazz Samba: The Other Side of the Record.” Down Beat, August 29, 1963.
Harrington, Richard. “The Gospel According To Betts Was All About Joy.” Washington Post. August 9, 2005.
Joyce, Mike. “Keter Betts Trio.” Washington Post. January 30, 1989.
Joyce, Mike. “Keter Betts.” Washington Post. October 8, 1996.
Joyce, Mike. “Keter Betts: "Bass, Buddies, Blues & Beauty Too".” Washington Post. March 10, 2000.
Joyce, Mike. “Keter Betts.” Washington Post. December 20, 2002.
Joyce, Mike. “Keter Betts Birthday Celebration.” Washington Post. July 21, 2003.
Joyce, Mike. “Ronnie Wells and Ron Elliston: "Here I Am" Keter Betts: ‘Bass Buddies and Blues.’” Washington Post, February 12, 1999.
Keepnews, Peter. “Keter Betts, 77, Jazz Bassist Who Spread the Bossa Nova, Is Dead.” New York Times, August 22, 2005.
Pagones, John. “Jazz in Decline Is a Sad Story.” Washington Post. January 24, 1965.
Porter, Christopher. “Keter Betts: Swinging Through Life and Nine.” Jazz Times, 2002.
Robinson, Eugene. “Jazz Master’s Final Chord.” Washington Post. August 9, 2005.
Stokes, W. Royal. “Jazzing It Up: Sugarland Students Learn About Music From the Pros.” Washington Post, November 17, 1983, sec. Virginia Weekly.
West, Hollie I. “Keter Betts: Bassist.” Washington Post. May 21, 1972.
Washington Post. “Keter Betts Quartet.” March 20, 1995.
Washington Post. “Keter Betts ‘Pinky’s Waltz.’” December 20, 2002.
Washington Post. “Lives Touched by the Bassman.” August 15, 2005.
Washington Post. “Tributes in Memory Of Keter Betts:” August 26, 2005.
Down Beat. “Byrd Lets Fly at Tour,” August 3, 1961.

Wiki Tags: 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.