As always, a list to learn from and savor.

Bassists from the Canterbury school tended to mix jazz, rock, and experimental.

• Hugh Hopper (Soft Machine, solo, collaborations) — one of the pioneers of fuzz bass.
• Kevin Ayers (Soft Machine, solo) — more noteworthy as a singer / songwriter than as a bassist, but he gave Mike Oldfield his start (Oldfield plays bass and lead on Shooting at the Moon)
• Richard Sinclair (Caravan, Camel, solo and collaborations) — a very musical bassist, not just supporting but often anticipating the melody.

Dennis Cowan’s work with the Bonzo Dog Band tends to be overshadowed by the horn playing and by Innes / Stanshall’s writing / singing, but it’s a central part of their dadaist sound. You could characterize it as “witty.”