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Nathan East
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nathan (Nate) East (born December 8, 1955, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a jazz bass player. Born to Thomas and Gwendolyn East, he was one of seven children (five boys and two girls) and raised in San Diego, California, where the family moved when he was four.
East first studied cello in seventh through ninth grade and played in his middle school orchestra. At fourteen he developed an interest in bass guitar, playing in San Diego church groups and folk masses with his brothers in San Diego. He was active in his high school's music programs along with Top 40 bands. He has said his early influences included Ron Carter and Ray Brown on upright bass.
East has recorded, performed and co-written songs with Anita Baker, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Joe Satriani, Laura Branigan, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, Sheila Majid and David Benoit. He co-wrote "Easy Lover", a Number one hit, for Phil Collins & Philip Bailey.
His awards include Most Valuable Player (bass category) at the International Rock Awards and Bassist of the Year at three of the last four National Smooth Jazz Awards. He is one of the original members of the jazz group Fourplay, along with Bob James (keyboards), Lee Ritenour (later replaced byLarry Carlton) Harvey Mason (drums). Their Grammy-nominated albums have earned gold status, appearing on Billboard's contemporary jazz charts.
Other recordings have included Eric Clapton's "If I could Change the World" and various cuts from Disney's film soundtrack for, Phonomon. He has also recorded with Toni Braxton, Lionel Richie, Sergio Mendes, Waiting To Exhale, Soundtrack and Babyface.
East holds a bachelor of arts degree in music from the University of California, San Diego.