Roy Babbington
b. 8 July 1940, Kempston, Bedfordshire, England. Self-taught, Babbington began playing bass professionally in the late '50s. For several years he played in dance bands and jazz groups before moving to London. This was at the end of the '60s and he quickly became sought after for studio work. His jazz playing continued apace, and during the '70s he worked with many leading jazz musicians including Harry Beckett, Graham Collier, Barbara Thompson, Keith Tippett and Mike Westbrook. He also worked with the jazz-rock fusion group, Soft Machine. In the '80s Babbington often played with Stan Tracey and was regularly called upon to accompany visiting American jazz artists. He has also continued to work in the studios with many broadcasting and recording bands. An accomplished technician, Babbington is also a sensitive accompanist and is comfortable backing song stylists and forward-thinking jazz players.