He is one of the most recorded bassists in history. In his career, to date, he has collaborated with Quincy Jones, George Harrison, Stevie Wonder, Daft Punk, Michael Jackson and Eric Clapton. He co-wrote the popular song“ Easy Lover” with Phil Collins and Philip Bailey and co-founded the legendary jazz group Fourplay. He has been awarded a Congressional Record from the U. S. Congress for his music contributions, an Ivor Novello Award, Most Performed Work by ASCAP, Most Valuable Player by N. A. R. A. S. and Bassists of the year by the U. S. National Smooth Jazz Awards. Worship Musician magazine caught up with Nathan East just after he wrapped up a world tour with Eric Clapton and is now out on tour with his son Noah East playing and promoting their new album.
[ Eric Dahl ] What spurred your interest in playing bass guitar after several years of studying the cello?
[ Nathan East ] My brothers Raymond and David were in our church band, and one afternoon while they were rehearsing at Christ the King Church, I tagged along and noticed a bass guitar sitting there on a stand that no one was playing. I asked if I could give it a try, and the moment I started playing, I felt a very special connection to the instrument. They invited me to join the band and that was it, I never looked back!
[ WM ] Who do you point to as your dominant bass influence and why?
[ Nathan ] In the early days, James Jamerson of the Motown era and Paul McCartney from the Beatles both caught my ear. They were not only laying down the grooves and foundation of the music but doing it with their own unique creativity and musicality! Another major influence was Chuck Rainey who played on just about everything and was like an encyclopedia of brilliant bass lines. Of course, Jaco Pastorius took the bass to another level and influenced all of us!
[ WM ] As a founding member of the groundbreaking jazz quartet Fourplay are there any plans for a reunion or new music?
[ Nathan ] Fourplay holds a special place in all of our hearts. The passing of our guitarist Chuck Loeb brought the group’ s momentum to a pause, but there’ s every possibility of a reunion and new music in the future, it really depends on who steps into that guitar chair.
[ WM ] You recently wrapped up a world tour with Eric Clapton when did you start touring and recording with Clapton and how did that partnership occur?
[ Nathan ] I first worked with Eric Clapton in 1983 on the Behind the Sun album for Warner Bros. Records. The label brought in some of their top session players … Michael Omartian, Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro, Greg Phillinganes and me. The level of mutual respect in the studio was extremely high! When Phil Collins and Tom Dowd produced Eric’ s album August, they called Greg and me back in which led to our first tour together in 1986. The lineup was
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