Paul Laurence Dunbar Chambers, Jr. (April 22, 1935 – January 4, 1969) was a leading jazz bassist of the 1950s and 1960s. Born in Pittsburgh but raised in Detroit, he and Slam Stewart were the first jazz bassists to perform bowed solos. From 1955 to 1963 he was a member of the Miles Davis quintet, and performed on Davis' famous Kind of Blue. After leaving Davis he worked with Wynton Kelly for three years, then freelanced.

He performed on the John Coltrane album Giant Steps. Coltrane's "Mr. P. C." is named after Chambers. He recorded with many other important musicians, including Cannonball Adderley, Donald Byrd, Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, Jackie McLean, and Bud Powell, as well as recording as a leader.

A hard drinker and frequent drug user, Chambers died from tuberculosis in 1969 at the age of 33.

Selected albums

as leader:

• The Whims Of Chambers (1956) – with John Coltrane
• Paul Chambers Quintet (1957)
• Bass On Top (1957)

as sideman:

• Sonny Rollins Tenor Madness (1956)
• John Coltrane Blue Train (1957)
• John Coltane, Traneing In
• John Coltrane and Milt Jackson, Bags And Trane (1959)
• Jackie McLean, Jackie's Bag (1961)