Giovanni Bottesini was a renowned 19th-century double bass virtuoso, known worldwide as the “Paganini of the Double Bass.” He was born in northern Italy into a musical family, starting his musical life by playing timpani and violin. However, when he heard of a potential bass scholarship at the Milan Conservatory, he switched to double bass and was accepted by the conservatory within a few weeks.
After graduating, he started a successful career as a bass soloist and toured throughout Europe, the Americas, Egypt, and Turkey. He made several tours to the United States starting in 1847. Bottesini greatly influenced the recognition of the double bass as a solo instrument. He composed signature virtuoso works for the instrument and significantly contributed to the bass technique. According to The Broadway Bach Ensemble.