James David Hughart (born July 28, 1936) is a jazz and pop bass player.
Hughart was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, and is the son of Frederick (Fritz) Hughart, bassist with Minneapolis Symphony and San Diego Symphony, and Annette Hughart (née Bastien). Hughart began working as a musician in 1953.
In 1957 he received a BA (Music Composition & Theory, Bass) from the University of Minnesota. Following graduation, Hughart was drafted and for two years, traveled throughout Europe performing with the 7th Army Symphony Orchestra. After his discharge from the Army, he joined Ella Fitzgerald's touring band following a recommendation from Ray Brown. During his three years with Ella Fitzgerald, Hughart started his extensive recording career.
In 1964 he moved to Los Angeles and became a very active session musician. He studied electric bass under prolific session musician Carol Kaye. On her website, she declares Hughart to be a "great talent and jazz legend".
Hughhart performed as a regular sideman for guitarist Joe Pass and singer Tom Waits.
He has participated in over 200 record albums, 300 motion picture scores, and many television shows. Hughart has recorded with many artists including Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Diana Ross, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Barry Manilow, Oscar Peterson and Zoot Sims.
He works locally and resides in Los Angeles, California.
For Django – Joe Pass (1964)Ella and Duke at the Cote D'Azur – Duke Ellington (1967)Head – The Monkees (1968)Albert's House – Chet Baker (Beverley Hills, 1969)Jim Sullivan – Jim Sullivan (Playboy, 1972)Live at the Greek Theatre – Vikki Carr (1973)Hell Up in Harlem [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] – Edwin Starr (1974)Gracias a la Vida – Joan Baez (1974)Court and Spark – Joni Mitchell (1974)Look at the Fool – Tim Buckley (1974)The Heart of Saturday Night – Tom Waits (1974)Live at Donte's – Joe Pass (1974)Seriously Deep – David Axelrod (1975)Help Me, Rhonda – Johnny Rivers (1975)Nighthawks at the Diner – Tom Waits (1975)Just You and Me – Herb Alpert (1976)Porgy & Bess – Ray Charles (1976)Small Change – Tom Waits (1976)Warne Out – Warne Marsh (1977)Broken Blossom – Bette Midler (1977)Beauty on a Back Street – Daryl Hall & John Oates (1977)Foreign Affairs – Tom Waits (1977)Strange Ladies – David Axelrod (1978)Blue Valentine – Tom Waits (1978)Apogee – Pete Christlieb and Warne Marsh (1978)Something's Gotta Give – Bill Henderson (1979)Marchin' – David Axelrod (1980)Heartattack and Vine – Tom Waits (1980)Ira, George and Joe – Joe Pass (1981)The Best Is Yet to Come – Ella Fitzgerald (1983)What's New – Linda Ronstadt (1983)Two Days in the Life of... – Warne Marsh (1987)Summer Nights – Joe Pass (1989)Unforgettable... with Love – Natalie Cole (1991)For the Duration – Rosemary Clooney (1991)Bernadette – Bernadette Peters (1992)Celine Dion – Celine Dion (1992)Six-String Santa – Joe Pass (1992)The Christmas Album – The Manhattan Transfer (1992)My Song – Joe Pass (1993)Reverence and Compassion – Milt Jackson (1993)Take a Look – Natalie Cole (1993)A Single Woman – Nina Simone (1993)Miracle on 34th Street [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] – Bruce Broughton (1994)Wave: The Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook – Antonio Carlos Jobim (1996)Duets: Live at the Great American Music Hall – Betty Carter (1996)I'm Hip – Blossom Dearie (1998)Resonance – Joe Pass (2000)Snowflakes – Toni Braxton (2001)Still Unforgettable – Natalie Cole (2008)