Bassist

Bassists are musicians who play the bass part in a piece of music. Traditionally, when we think of bassists, we probably think of musicians who play either the contrabass or the electric bass (electric bass guitar). However, bassists can also be singers who sing the bass part in a choir, or musicians who play a low-pitched wind instrument like a tuba or trombone. What they all have in common is that they play the lowest notes and harmonies, adding weight and depth to the music. Often the bass plays an important role in the rhythm and tempo of a piece, and it is common for the bass to work very closely with the drums and percussion. 

What do bassists need to be able to do?

Bassists need to be musical, of course, but also rhythmic and flexible. You need a good sense of rhythm, because the bass line is very important for rhythm, especially in pop music, jazz, etc. You should be able to read music, and it's a great advantage if you can easily follow the harmonies of a song. 

Source: Wikipedia, StagePool, Music Jobs