Bassist Nathan East was born December 8, 1955 in Philadelphia, PA to Thomas and Gwendolyn East, one of seven children, 5 boys, 2 girls. San Diego has been always considered home, although Nate lived in Philadelphia until age the 4 when the family moved west.
The first instrument Nate played was not the bass but the cello, which he played from 7th – 9th grade in his Jr. High school orchestra. It wasn't until the age of 14, that he discovered bass guitar; playing in local church groups with his brothers in San Diego, folk masses, etc. He played in the high school jazz ensemble, marching band, choir, chorus, pep band and top 40 bands. Nate's inspirations were Ron Carter & Ray Brown on upright bass. Also Mingus, Buster Williams and Scott LaFaro.
Nate's first influences include a long list of talented musicians... Wes Montgomery, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Canonball Adderley, George Benson, Bob James, Harvey Mason, Lee Ritenour, Jimi Hendrix, Santana.
His favorite Groups include Earth Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, Kool & the Gang, James Brown Band, Beatles, Cream, Sly and the Family Stone. Motown Groups...
Favorite Bassists: James Jamerson, Chuck Rainey, Paul Mc Cartney, Larry Graham, Verdine White, Jaco Pastorius, Francis Rocco Prestia, Jack Bruce, Sting, Stanley Clark, Abe Laboriel, Marcus Miller.
Nate's two younger brothers, James East is the bassist with Sergio Mendes and Marcel East, is a guitarist/songwriter/producer working on group with Nathan called Two Faces of East. Nathan's oldest brother Raymond is Pastor/Monsignor of Church of the Nativity in Washington DC and an excellent vocalist.
Nathan holds a private pilots license and enjoys flying, skiing, tennis and performing magic.
Nate has recorded, performed and co-written songs with artists such as Anita Baker, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Babyface, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, David Benoit and co-wrote the #1 hit song " Easy Lover" with Phil Collins & Philip Bailey.
Nathan's background in Jazz and Popular music has earned him numerous awards including most valuable player (bass catagory) at the International Rock Awards and "Bassist of the Year" at 3 of the last 4 National Smooth Jazz Awards ceremonies. He is one of the original members of contemporary jazz group Fourplay (Bluebird/BMG) along with Bob James (keyboards) and Harvey Mason (drums).
Their Grammy nominated albums have earned Gold status and continue to top the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts.
Nathan has developed his own Signature Series bass guitar for YAMAHA which is available in stores now.
Other releases include Eric Clapton's, If I could Change the World, also various cuts from Disney Phonomon Soundtrack, Toni Braxton, Lionel Richie, Sergio Mendes, Waiting To ExhaleSoundtrack, Babyface, and Phil Collins.
Nathan's wife, Anita (a pediatrician) was featured in the February '98 1998 issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine for being the "Fun & Fearless Female" of 1998 (last year's FFF was Brooke Sheilds)
Nathan holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from University of California San Diego.
Nathan East teaches bass lessons online at ArtistWorks. http://artistworks.com/rock-bass-lessons-nathan-east.
