Fun! Visit Nate's studio in the May issue of Mix Magazine.CLICK TO SEE:
Take an indepth look behind the scenes at the music biz in
THE BUSINESS OF BASS DVD. Learn the secrets of how to become a successful musician!
Check out interviews with some of today's top artists and producers and discover valuable insights on how to make a career in music.
Higher Ground - from Obama Inaugural Celebration Concert at the Lincoln Memorial
Born one of the eight children of Thomas and Gwendolyn East on December 8, 1955, in Philadelphia, PA, Nathan East and his family moved to San Diego, CA, when he was four years old to accommodate his father's aerodynamic engineering position at General Dynamics. As a child, East would peck out familiar melodies on the family piano. Music filled the home as his sister Cecilia practiced french horn and their sister Gerty played the flute. When Nathan was in the seventh grade, he began playing cello in his junior high school orchestra. At age 14, he switched to bass guitar, inspired by his older brother David's mastery of the guitar. He began playing for local church groups and folk masses with his brothers including regular performances at Christ The King Church in southeast San Diego.
East played along with the recordings of jazz bassists Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Charles Mingus, Buster Williams and Scott LaFaro. He was also captivated by the sound of Motown's legendary James Jamerson, Carole Kaye, Jack Bruce and Cream, Paul McCartney and the Beatles as they came over the radio or out of his record player. When Nathan heard Monk Mongomery's melodic lead bass playing on his album Reality, he realized just how powerful the instrument was. The young bassist began playing in his high school's jazz ensemble, marching band, choir, chorus, and pep band, as well as local Top 40 bands. Bassists like Francis Rocco Prestia of Tower of Power, Verdine White of Earth Wind & Fire and Larry Graham with Sly & the Family Stone were great examples of how the bass player can drive a band. He also listened to the music of Wes Montgomery, Quincy Jones, Cannonball Adderley, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, George Benson, Bob James, Harvey Mason, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix and Santana. Nathan credits Chuck Rainey as being one of his biggest influences for his melodic style and mastery of the bass using double stops and chords and simply his rare choice notes, taste, tone, technique and feel.
One of East's early breakthroughs came while he was a member of a local band named Power. They were hired as the house band for a Stax revue. The recognition brought the attention of Barry White, who hired the entire band for a national tour. Still a teenager, East became a member of the Love Unlimited Orchestra ("Love's Theme") playing The Apollo Theater, Madison Square Garden, Kennedy Center, Detroit's Cobo Arena and other major US venues. This no doubt was a great experience for the young musician who would later travel extensively throughout his career.
In 1978, East earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Performance from the University of California San Diego. He began work on a master's degree when instructor Bertram Turetzky suggested that he already had enough education and that it was time for him to move to Los Angeles to try and start a lucrative music career.
While involved with the San Diego club and studio scene, Barry White contacted him to play on many of his recording projects. In early 1980, veteran writer/arranger Gene Page, whom East had worked with on White's sessions, called the bassist to play on a recording session for a national Hertz Rent-a-Car commercial. Impressed with East's ability to read music as well as his diverse playing skills, Page used East on all of his projects including recordings for Whitney Houston, Madonna, Dionne Warwick and Michael Jackson.
As East's reputation grew on the L.A. session scene, so did his job calls. From that point on, East worked consistently. He did sessions for Lionel Richie and Diana Ross "Endless Love", Kenny Rogers "Lady", Quincy Jones "Back On The Block", Kenny Loggins "Footloose" & "Vox Humana". He toured with Loggins appearing with the singer at Live Aid in 1985. Eric Clapton heard Nathan and invited him to join his band. With keyboardist Greg Phillinganes and drummer Phil Collins, they toured the world over and performed multiple concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall which resulted in the release of Clapton's "24 Nights" CD, (1988). With Clapton, he would go on to record numerous CD's including Journeyman, August, Behind The Sun, Pilgrim, Reptile and the Multi-Grammy Award winning multi-platinum Clapton MTV Unplugged CD.
In 1990, while in the studio recording Bob James' Grand Piano Canyon album, the keyboardist asked East, Lee Ritenour, and Harvey Mason if they'd be interested in forming a group where each member would be an equal partner and could contribute songs. James, who at the time held an executive position at Warner Bros.' jazz A&R department, got them a deal with the label; a couple of months later, the group now known as Fourplay began recording their debut album. Their first record, 1991's Fourplay, sold over a million copies and remained at the number one position on Billboard's contemporary jazz charts for 33 weeks. Their next LP, 1993's Between the Sheets, reached number one, went gold, and received a Grammy nomination. In 1995, their third gold album, Elixir, inherited the number one position from Kenny G's Breathless and remained on the charts for more than 90 weeks. Fourplay's 4 album entered the jazz charts at number one when guitarist Larry Carlton joined the band. Now, after fifteen years together, nine CD's and 5 Grammy nominations, Fourplay's X CD debuted at number one (Billboard Contemporary Jazz) remaining there for more than two months.
In 1991, Nathan was voted the Most Valuable Player in the bass category at the International Rock Awards and is three time recipient of the National Smooth Jazz Award Bassist of the Year. He also won Britains most prestigious Ivor Novello Award for co-writing the number one hit song "Easy Lover" with Phil Collins and Philip Bailey (1984). The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences has awarded East Emeritus status for winning the most consecutive years as MVP Bassist.
After more than twenty-five years of playing and endorsing YAMAHA basses, East has collaborated with YAMAHA and developed his own Signature Series 5-String bass guitar the BBNE-2 available in stores worldwide. www.yamaha.com He also has an instructional video, Contemporary Electric Bass and instructional DVD, The Business of Bass, (distributed by Hal Leonard Music Publishing Co), a behind the scenes look that goes into considerable detail on the steps he has taken throughout his career, and the mindset that has successfully earned him both the profile and a respect many players would be pleased to call their own. The Business of Bass DVD
Nathan continues to be one of the world’s most sought after musicians. Recently he was invited to perform for President Barack Obama "We Are One" Inaugural Concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. He has performed for the Pope (John Paul II), The Queen of England, Princess Diana and Prince Charles, Nelson Mandela and at both Inauguration Ceremonies of President Bill Clinton.
He performed in Washington, DC for the U.S. President at the 2000 Millennium Celebration live CBS Special produced by Steven Spielberg and Quincy Jones.
For nearly three decades Nathan has performed, recorded and toured with many of the music industry's top artists including Anita Baker, Al Jarreau, Andrea Bocelli, Barbara Streisand, Bob James, Chaka Khan, Eurythmics, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, Peter Gabriel, Elton John, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Mark Knopfler, Sting, Ray Charles, Phil Collins and Eric Clapton. He has enjoyed being able to jump from one band to another and the challenge of playing different styles of music at any given time.
For a complete list of recordings Nathan appears on visit:
www.allmusic.com
Recently Nathan has been involved with several projects as Producer.
He produced a Tribute CD for Random House featuring the music of Billie Holiday sung by a variety of artists such as Babyface, Boz Scaggs, Rickie Lee Jones, Deborah Cox, Renee Olstead, Patti Austin, Dave Koz & Gerald Albright (sax), and many more. This CD is included in the book "Lady Sings the Blues" The 50th Anniversary Edition released in July. He also recently produced The Pointer Sisters greatest hits collection and a Christmas Compilation for Radio Shack called "Smooth and Soulful Christmas".
Nathan is a private pilot with a passion for flying and soaring above the earth.
He holds two World Speed Records in his Lancair IV-P pressurized airplane. It's the fastest single engine piston aircraft in the sky flying at speeds exceeding 300mph!
Nate obtained his private pilot’s license in 1986.
Nathan enjoys photography and uses a Nikon D-200 Digital SLR camera, (10 megapixels) a gift from his friend Bob James who is also very passionate about photography.
Photography is about expression .. from the subject .. from the photographer.
Most people don't know that Nate's dad Thomas East held the world record in the 50 and 100-yard dash making him the "World's Fastest Human" in 1938! With a time of 9.3 seconds Tom beat Jesse Owens in the hundred yard dash and qualified to compete in the 1940 Olympic Games which were to be held in Helsinki, Finland, but the start of World War II in 1939 caused the Games to be cancelled. For his outstanding athletic achievement and service in the area of Track, Thomas East was honored and inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Cheyney State College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Nate has two younger brothers who are also professional musicians.
James East, bassist (Sergio Mendes, Lionel Richie, Toni Braxton, Laura Pausini)
and Marcel East, guitarist/songwriter/producer working with Nathan on numerous projects including Fourplay, Al Jarreau, David Benoit, Huey Lewis & The News, Luis Miguel, Eric Benet..
Their oldest brother Raymond is Pastor/Monsignor at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., and an excellent singer. If you're ever in the DC area, give Father Ray a visit. His church is located at 1401 V St. SE, Washington DC 20020 and you haven't lived until you've experienced one of his services!!
www..stachurch.org
With a wonderful and warm spirit, he will gladly welcome you into his real life Friend Space!
Meet Monsignor Raymond East
NATHAN EAST & FOURPLAY HONORED BY U.S. CONGRESS 2007 WASHINGTON, D.C.
Nathan East has received a Congressional Record from the United States Congress, House of Representatives recognizing him as a distinguished member of the music industry. Also honored with a Congressional Record was the jazz supergroup, Fourplay, of which Nathan is a founding member. The award was presented by A. Robert Brown, Sr., Advisor to Congressman Ed Towns of New York during Fourplay's performance on 25 March in Philadelphia. Fourplay is the only group in history to be recognized by Congress.
When speaking before the House, Congressman Towns opened his remarks with: "Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the renowned jazz musician, Nathan East, a distinguished member of the music industry. It behooves us to pay tribute to this outstanding artist and I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing his impressive accomplishments." After entering Nathan's biography and musical accomplishments into the record, the Congressman concluded: "Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent on this body to recognize the accomplishments of Nathan East, as he offers his talents and services for the betterment of our local and global communities. Mr. Speaker, Nathan East's selfless service has continuously demonstrated a level of altruistic dedication that makes him most worthy of our recognition today." Nathan pictured below with General Colin Powell.
Hi Nathan! I tried to stay up late on Monday to watch Conan but I fell asleep. I just saw it on you tube and I was so happy to see you! Of course, I'm always happy to see Michael. Sadly, I missed him over the weekend when he was in Washington State. He knows I love him dearly. Thanks to Bernie C. - my angel - I was able to meet him in June 2007. Hope you had a good birthday, sweetie pie!! Love, Sandy xoxoxoxo
Hello Nathan.. Thanks for the add!! As for bass players you have no equal! thanks again, Mark(The Other Guy).. On our songs Falling Down and Mental Groove we had as our Bass Player Garry W. Tallent great bass fills.
..
"SAVUSAVU SUNSET" N.East ©2006
