By Gwen Pierce for The Chocolate Voice
When I first became familiar with Nathan East, it was at a documentary screening about the legendary bassist’s life, Nathan East: For The Record. As someone who loves all genres of music—especially jazz—I decided to attend the screening, which was held about ten years ago at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla and hosted by the San Diego Union-Tribune. I remember the long line to get inside, and there was Nathan himself, standing outside graciously taking photos with fans.
After watching the film, I was absolutely blown away by his talent and the incredible breadth of his musical journey. I immediately called up friends—most of whom are San Diego natives—and asked, “Are you familiar with Nathan East?” The answer was always a confident yes. Some even said, “I went to school with him!” That’s when I realized I had clearly been late to the party.
What struck me most was East’s extraordinary resume: from touring with Barry White, Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, and Eric Clapton (he’s long been a member of Clapton’s studio and touring bands—the two have worked together for 45 years), to performing at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in 2009.
A graduate of UC San Diego, East is also an original member of the acclaimed contemporary jazz supergroup Fourplay, alongside Bob James, Lee Ritenour (later replaced by Larry Carlton and then Chuck Loeb), and Harvey Mason.
Since discovering Nathan East, I’ve become a true fan—and I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to speak with him about his incredible life in music.
Fresh off receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 San Diego Music Awards, East is set to return to his alma mater, bringing Cream of Clapton to the Epstein Family Amphitheater at UC San Diego for Unplugged and 24 Nights Revisited on Friday, July 18, at 7 p.m.
Enjoy my conversation below with the prolific, Grammy Award-winning bassist and San Diego’s own Nathan East—who’s not just a world-class musician, but also an entrepreneur, a devoted husband, and a proud father.
Chocolate Chat with Nathan East:
You’ve played with so many iconic artists—what are some of your most memorable collaborations and what made them special?
Playing and touring with Barry White during the early seventies was so special because he was the first artist I performed with on a national level. Back then, our band Power opened for Cannonball Adderley. We toured up and down the coast—it was a huge thrill! Cannonball liked our band and introduced us to Quincy Jones, who, until his last breath, was one of my dearest friends. We even got to celebrate his 90th birthday at his house with a few close friends.
What do you consider the most important qualities of a great bassist, and how do you cultivate them?
Great question! One of the most important things is being able to see the big picture and figure out how to be the most supportive element in any given song. The bass is really an instrument of support. That means listening to the lyrics and the emotional tone of the track so you can decide how much—or how little—you should play. That’s how you create a memorable bass line.
When was the first time you picked up a bass guitar, and when did you know you wanted to become a musician?
It was actually at Christ The King Church on 32nd and Imperial. My brothers David and Raymond were playing there, and I noticed no one was on bass. It was just lying there on the altar, so I picked it up and started playing. Before long, I was in the church band.
Did it just come naturally? Did your parents play music?
Not professionally, but we had a piano at home, and they would plunk around on it. I actually started on cello in the seventh grade.
Did you ever imagine your career would take off the way it has?
Never. It’s beyond anything I could’ve dreamed of. Every day I count my blessings and give constant thanks in prayer.
How has your playing evolved over the years, and what are you currently exploring in your music?
Right now, I just released an album with my 25-year-old son Noah called Father & Son. It’s a duo project—he plays organ and piano—and I call it my most important work. He’s blossomed into an amazing artist. His twin sister Sara also graduated from UC Berkeley. She sings and plays piano but is following in her mother’s footsteps in medicine, having earned a degree in Integrated Biology. My wife Anita is a pediatrician.
Sounds like you have some smart kids!
What advice would you give to aspiring bassists hoping to break into the music industry today?
The industry has changed a lot since I started in the ’80s. Today, you have to be an entrepreneur, a marketer, and really, really good at your craft. The competition is fierce—just scroll through social media and you’ll see the unbelievable talent out there. You have to look at the big picture and figure out how to fit into the current music world. First, you have to loveit. But you also need to find a way to make a living and build a sustainable life around it.
Can you tell us about your signature Yamaha BBNE2 bass and why it works for you?
It’s a 5-string, and I call it my Swiss Army knife of basses. I tour and record with it. I worked closely with Yamaha’s design and R&D teams, making countless trips to the custom shop until we had something we loved. It’s now sold worldwide. I can go to another country and request one of my signature basses, and it’s there. I also recently designed a bass amp with a UK company called Laney—it just launched in March. Another product I’m proud of is my N8 in-ear monitors, designed with 64 Audio. In this business, you learn to become an entrepreneur, and I’m grateful to have companies that want to collaborate with me.
What has working with Eric Clapton taught you over the years?
So much. We’ve worked together for 45 years, and he’s one of the top artists on the planet. He’s been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame three times—with three different bands. Beyond that, he’s a wonderful human being and a soulful musician. Every note he plays is full of heart. His nephew started the Cream of Clapton Band, and my son Noah has been touring with them around the world. For this concert at UC San Diego, Noah and I will open the show with songs from Father & Son. It’s a family affair, and deeply sentimental for me. UCSD is where I met my wife 50 years ago—we’ve now been married 30 years. It’s going to be a beautiful night.
Catch Nathan East with the Cream of Clapton Band
🎶 Unplugged and 24 Nights Revisited
📍 Epstein Family Amphitheater at UC San Diego
📅 Friday, July 18 at 7 p.m.
🎟️ Click here for tickets
Hi, Nathan, so glad to read you’ve had such a blessed life with a talent that God has given you. A voice from the past at studio West.! blessings, Nancy
Sounds like a life well lived sir. God bless you and yours always!