1st Bassman is an album by jazz bassist Paul Chambers, recorded at Bell Sound Studios on May 12, 1960 and released by the Vee-Jay label.

Chambers is supported by trumpeter Tommy Turrentine, trombonist Curtis Fuller, tenor saxophonist Yusef Lateef, pianist Wynton Kelly and drummer Lex Humphries.

AllMusic reviewer Michael G. Nastos stated "Chambers was allowed to put his bass on top, become a leader in his own right, and play lead melodies with a clear, ringing, well enunciated tone.

The emphasis on the compositions of Lateef all display a spare construct, rearing the horns to a marginal level except for solos, allowing Chambers to take care of business and control the shaping of the melodies, with little unison play involved.

This CD and its companion piece Go complement the preceding Blue Note sessions, comprising a small but potent body of work that few bassists have produced in modern jazz".