Jean-Baptiste began playing the double bass with his father, Bernard Salles, at the Pau Regional Conservatory (CRD), where he won first prize. He continued his studies with Jean-Michel Hequet and furthered his training with renowned double bass masters such as Thomas Martin, Giuseppe Ettorre, Thierry Barbé, and Antonio Garcia Araque.

Holding all the necessary teaching diplomas and having passed all the required examinations, he began his teaching career in 2003. In 2018, he was appointed professor at the Pau Regional Conservatory (64).

He is also a soloist with the Pau-Pays-de-Béarn Orchestra.

In addition to his work as a double bassist, Jean-Baptiste pursues a career as an electric bassist, composer, and record producer. Driven by eclectic tastes, ranging from classical music to electronic music, by way of rock and jazz, he collaborates with various groups, performing numerous concerts and recording several CDs.

Currently, he performs regularly with Kolman Skupp (live video electro) and Some Strings, a David Bowie tribute band bringing together musicians from diverse backgrounds.

These experiences within pop culture have inspired him to create original arrangements for double bass, which he records and shares on his YouTube channel.

Since 2019, he has also presented this repertoire in computer-assisted solo double bass concerts, allowing him to control loops, effects, and other sound processing.

 

He plays a Charles Jacquot instrument (1870) and uses a Jérôme Chuilon bow (2023).

Since August 2020, he has been the director of the Perpignan International Double Bass Workshop.