While not the most prominent instrument in jazz, the bass is one of its most essential elements. In a jazz quintet, one of the responsiblities of the bass is to help drive the rhythm section steadily forward while keeping the music interesting. All of this is done in an effort to support the soloist and make them look good (and ultimately make the audience feel good). Remove the deep earthy pulse of the bass and the listener would immediately take notice. When Keter Betts left us on August 6, 2005, everyone who knew him as an artist and a human being could feel the void that will remain with his passing.

William Thomas "Keter" Betts was born on July 22, 1928 in Port Chester, New York. While running an errand for his mother, he heard a parade and was irresistibly drawn to music. He started out playing the drums but grew weary of lugging them up four flights of stairs to his apartment. In 1946 Betts switched to bass, the instrument on which he would become one of the most sought after and respected masters.

Through the course of his career, Betts performed with a list of people who read like a who's who in jazz. Betts played with