 Monk worked in a foundry and played gigs on upright bass at night in Indianapolis.Wes worked for vibraphonist Lionel Hampton from 1948–1950, Monk then worked for Hampton around 1952–1953, with Hampton insisting he play the Fender bass, and not an upright.Monk's recordings with The Art Farmer Septet on 2 July 1953, arranged by Quincy Jones, are possibly the earliest studio recordings of the electric bass, and display his facility with walking bass lines, bebop melodies, and Latin-style ostinato.