Charles Edward Haden was born August 6, 1937. He is one of the most respected jazz bassists and jazz composers today. As a jazz double bassist he is probably best known for his long association with saxophonist Ornette Coleman.
Haden was born in Shenandoah, Iowa. He was raised in a musical family, which often performed together. He sang with the family until until the age of fifteen when he contracted a mild form of polio that led to damage of the throat muscles and vocal cords, subsequently, Haden was unable to control his pitch while singing. Hadens interest in jazz and the double bass preceded the disease that led to his loss of vocal control.
He began playing professionally after moving to Los Angeles, including stints with pianist Hampton Hawes and saxophonist Art Pepper. He began playing with Ornette Coleman in the late 1950s, culminating with The Shape of Jazz to Come.
