Personally I really like Charles Mingus. He has some really fun bass lines that I feel most other jazz musicians overlook. In my opinion, Mingus is the best jazz bassist. He understood both his instrument and the role it could play in a composition better than any other bassist has. Mingus is the guy I can always listen to. If you want something a little more modern, check out Herbie Hancock. He has some interesting electronic jazz music that feels kinda experimental while still staying firmly in the territory of jazz. And then there's the 80's take on jazz with Jaco Pastorious. He's just a wicked awesome electric bassist. I've actually studied this guy when I started playing electric, and some of his compositions are incredibly complex.
Oh totally! I was saying that most composers overlooked the power that the bass had in jazz.
Thanks for all the recommendations! I'd come across Charles Mingus' name before, but I've not listened to him previously. I'll be sure to check out some of his stuff -- from the brief listen I gave it, I think I'll like it. I fee like electronic jazz music is something that I've still not quite got used to yet, it doesn't quite gel with me as much as the stuff I usually listen to. The Herbie Hancock you linked has a wicked funky beat to it though!
Herbie Hancock made a couple more really killer jazz-funk albums, if you want to pursue that sound some more:
His more traditional stuff is also really great: