Bass was a Pittsburgh bassist who worked with hard bop bandleaders and combos from the 1960s; he did not record often as a leader.
His maternal grandmother, who performed in minstrel shows, taught him and his cousins Barbershop music.
The New York Times declared: "When Mickey Bass and the Co-operation get in the right groove...it is doubtful if there is another jazz group in town that swings as hard as this one.
His students at Ellington included Wallace Roney, Gregory Charles Royal, Clarence Seay, and drummer Eric Allen.
[3] With Art Blakey With Curtis Fuller With Philly Joe Jones With Jimmy McGriff With Hank Mobley With Ramon Morris With Lee Morgan With Bobby Timmons With Reuben Wilson