Authors, Composers, Artists: Nathan East - Jazz Musician

• Author: Sylvie Castonguay
• Position: WIPO Magazine Editorial Staff, Communications and Public Outreach Division

Biodata

Born: 1955, Philadelphia, U.S.A.

Instrument: Bass guitar

Group: Fourplay: Bob James (keyboards), Larry Carlton (guitar), Nathan East (bass), and Harvey Mason (drummer).

Recorded/toured with: Anita Baker, Al Jarreau, Barbara Streisand, Eurythmics, Natalie Cole, Elton John, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Sting, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton - and many others

Awards: Most Valuable Player Award, Bass category, 1991 International Rock Awards; three-time recipient of the National Smooth Jazz Award for Bassist of the Year; U.K. Ivor Novello Award for "Easy Lover," which he co-wrote with Phil Collins and Philip Bailey

Also: Developed his own Yamaha Signature Series 5-String bass guitar, the BBNE-2. Has a private pilot license and holds two World Speed Records in his Lancair IV-P.

"X", the latest album by American jazz supergroup, Fourplay, has had fans and critics purring since its release in August 2006: "The smooth jazz group to top the lot," says BBC reviewer Peter Marsh. "A softly-funky, superbly crafted album from these masters of smooth," writes Matt Collar in the All Music Guide. The rave reviews come as no surprise, given that the ten albums released by Fourplay since 1991 have all topped the jazz charts, and six have been nominated for Grammy awards. As Jazz Monthly puts it: "[From] four of the most talented guys in the business-the new Fourplay CD confirms that thought-provoking music never goes out of style. Masters at harmonizing the energy of individual performance with the synergy of ensemble play, the tracks are tight, transitions dramatic and the experience a whole lot of fun!"

One of the four "Masters" is Nathan East, whose successful career as a jazz musician, composer and bass guitarist spans some 30 years. With a reputation extending well beyond jazz aficionados, he has recorded and toured with a star-spangled list of artists, including - to name but a few - Elton John, Lionel Richie, Barbara Streisand, Josh Grobin, Eurythmics, Sergio Mendez, BB King, Kenny Rogers, Quincy Jones, Kenny...