Most collectors of contemporary American music probably have at least one — and most likely more than one — record with Nathan East style= listed in the credits. A gifted and prolific musician, East is considered by his peers to be one of the most versatile and adaptive bass players in the world. This is proven by the fact that he also happens to be one of the most recorded bass players in history.

East has recorded on more than 2,000 albums, and with such big-name artists as Hubert Laws style=, Barry White style=, Eric Clapton style=, Wynona Judd style=, Ray Parker Jr. style=, Michael Jackson style=, Kenny Loggins style=, Quincy Jones style=, Dianna Krall style=, Tower of Power style=, Joe Sample style=, Whitney Houston style=, Toto style=, Lionel Richie style=, Phil Collins style=, Herbie Hancock style=, Al Jarreau style= and even more. Just name any contemporary artist and Nathan East has probably appeared in concert or recorded with him or her.

After almost 40 years of performing as a band member in one group or another, Nathan East finally emerged in 2014 with a project to create his first solo album, appropriately entitled Nathan East, for which East served as primary artist, producer, arranger, (upright) bass player and composer. He also wrote orchestral arrangements and provided vocals for the album.

This record, which spent four weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Album chart, is a must-have in the collection of any contemporary jazz lover!

In true comraderie to a fellow artist who often provides invaluable support, many of the musicians with whom Nathan East has played joined him on this album. They include Michael McDonald style=, Sara Bareilles style=, Eric Clapton style=, Bob James style=, Chuck Loeb style=, Ray Parker Jr. style= and David Paich style=, just to name a few.

To get a behind-the-scenes look at Nathan East, his background and prolific career, and the making of his Grammy-nominated record, take a look at Nathan East: For The Record, a documentary film that’s being screened at film festivals all around the country, including the Macon Film Festival this weekend. It provides wonderful insight into the mind and methods of this musical genius. Here’s the trailer:

Check out the following video of Nathan East at 2013 Bass Player LIVE, where he talks about his practice routine and technique, playing for Daft Punk style=, and future projects.

Nathan East is a founding member of the jazz quartet Fourplay style=. Original members of the group were Bob James style= (keyboards), Lee Ritenour style= (guitars), Nathan East style= (bass) and Harvey Mason style= (drums). In 1997, Lee Ritenour style= left the group and Fourplay chose Larry Carlton style= as his replacement. In 2010, Larry Carlton style= left Fourplay and was replaced by Chuck Loeb style=, who currently performs and records with the quartet.

Here’s Fourplay style= at the 2000 Newport Jazz Festival:

And Fourplay style= performs live at the Blue Note Tokyo in 2014: