Leroy Vinnegar was known as the "Master of the Walking Bass" and rightfully so. His resume reads like a "Who's-Who" of American Jazz. His work can be heard on over 600 recordings made between 1952 and until his untimely passing in August of 1999.

Leroy was born on July 13th, 1928 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He played around with piano as a child, but was instantaneously converted to the acoustic double bass on his first acquaintance with the instrument, realizing "that was for me". He was entirely self-taught, later claiming that he "just picked it up", but he did so well enough to became a professional musician in Indianapolis at the age of 20, playing with Wes and Monk Mongomery.