Jazz bass player Nathan (Nate) East was born December 8, 1955 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 shool'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, Babyface, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau and David Benoit . He co-wrote Easy Lover, a number one hit, with Phil Collins & Philip Bailey .
His awards include Most Valuable Player (bass catagory) 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 (Bluebird/BMG ) along with Bob James (keyboards), Larry Carlton (guitars) and 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 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 at San Diego.
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