I played for a bass player last year. I can only remember 3 of the pieces; Gloria's Step by Bill Evans, Earth Jam by Bela Fleck, and the Jaco Pastorius Donna Lee duet with percussion. The fourth was a John Pattituci one.
For certain instruments, especially rhythm sections, you gotta look at the greats, cause they'll have the pieces made for the piece. Id suggest Pastorius, Garrison, Carter, but Im a huge jazz fan. For rock, Id say go for Chilli Peppers. Flea pulls of some crazy stuff. Its all a matter of research. And ingenuity.