Blanton is credited with being the originator of more complex pizzicato and arco bass solos in a jazz context than previous bassists.

[2]: 121  Blanton also played in the "small group" sessions led by Barney Bigard, Rex Stewart, Johnny Hodges, and Cootie Williams in 1940-41.

"Blanton also took part in a few of the informal jam sessions at Minton's Playhouse in New York that contributed to the genesis of the bop style.

During the Summer of 1941, while the Ellington band was performing the landmark musical "Jump for Joy," Blanton began to show symptoms of tuberculosis.

[4][5] When with the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra, Blanton added classical music pizzicato and arco techniques to jazz bass, making it into more of a solo instrument.

"[3] He added "many non-harmonic passing notes in his accompaniment lines, giving them a contrapuntal flavour and stimulating soloists to their own harmonic explorations.