Stay tuned for more 2008 artist info as it becomes available!

 

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VERDINE WHITE: 2008 Bass Player Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient 

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MIKE WATT: 2008 Bass Player Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient 

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CAROL KAYE: 2008 Bass Player Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient 

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Steve Bailey - The 6-string fretless pioneer’s fruitful Los Angeles run included session and road work with Larry Carlton, David Benoit, Jethro Tull, the Rippingtons, and Kitaro, teaching at B.I.T., and the release of his first two acclaimed solo discs. Since returning to his native South Carolina, Steve has maintained his pairing with Victor Wooten in Bass Extremes, numerous camps, and The Bass Vault [www.thebassvault.com]. Steve’s excellent latest CD is So Low... Solo.  

Jeff Berlin - The melodic master made quite a mark on the bass world during his time in Los Angeles, helping to found the Bass Institute of Technology, amassing credits with Bill Bruford, Allan Holdsworth, Frank Zappa, and Yes, and releasing his stirring 1985 debut, Champion. Having headed his Players School of Music in Clearwater, Florida, since 1990, Jeff’s recent projects include Bx3 (with Stu Hamm and Billy Sheehan) and his latest CD, Ace of Bass. His eighth solo effort is due this winter.

Brian Bromberg - One of the most versatile and talented bassists in Los Angeles, Brian ably balances his career as a smooth jazz and fusion star on piccolo and 4-string electric bass with first-call status as a session upright bassist for such artists as Michael Bublé, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, and Chris Botti—as well as appearances on numerous film soundtracks. Also a producer who heads his own label (A440 Music Group), Brian has released over a dozen solo discs, the latest of which are Downright Upright and In the Spirit of Jobim.

 

Oskar Cartaya - Since moving to Los Angeles in the late-’90s, Oskar has become a much in-demand commodity as a bassist, producer, and film composer. Having compiled touring and recording credits that include Dave Valentin, Herbie Mann, Herb Alpert, Spyro Gyra, Ruben Blades, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Tito Puente, and Steve Lukather, Oskar at last made his solo debut in 2004 with My Music, My Friends, My Time, featuring his band Enclave, which regularly appears around L.A.

 

Chris Chaney - Chris’s diverse resume and reputation as one of L.A.’s hottest session bassists in the New Millennium is the product of his strong musical training in his native Mill Valley, California, and at Boston’s famed Berklee School Of Music. Leaping from jazz gigs at the Baked Potato to Alanis Morissette’s 1996 world tour put Chris on the map, leading to low end with everyone from Jane’s Addiction to Carly Simon. Chris’s recent load includes recordings with Sara Bareilles, Gavin DeGraw, Glen Campbell, and Robben Ford, and live hits with Mike Landau, Camp Freddy, and Taylor Hawkins & the Coattail Riders.

 

Nathan East - Although based in Los Angeles, where he is a bonafide session superstar with countless album and soundtrack appearances since 1980, Nathan is a global trailblazer, having been present for historic road shows and chart-topping recordings with Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Quincy Jones, David Foster, Babyface, and Fourplay (of which he is a founding member). Typically, his last six months have included appearances on discs by B.B. King and Michael McDonald, and tours with Herbie Hancock and Fourplay (in support of the quartet’s new CD, Energy). In-between, Nate is at work on his long-anticipated solo debut.

 

Mike Elizondo - Whether he’s playing bass, producing, and writing for Dr. Dre, Eminem, Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dog, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Nelly Furtado, Pink, or T-Bone Burnett, Mike has earned the title of hitmaker. The Pacoima, California-native is also a potent doubler, whose upright credits include Cassandra Wilson, Alan Pasqua, and Danny Elfman. In addition to producing and playing on Maroon 5’s It Won’t Be Soon Before Long, and Natasha Bedingfield’s Pocket Full of Sunshine, Mike is at work on new discs by Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Regina Spektor.

 

Hadrien Feraud - At 24, Paris-born Hadrien already seems destined to follow in the footsteps of his main influences, Jaco Pastorius, Dominique DiPiazza, and Matt Garrison, as fusion’s next forefront bassist. He began playing bass at 12, inspired by Jaco, and has already toured and recorded with Bireli Legrene, Chick Corea, and John McLaughlin (whose quartet he continues to anchor). His 2007 debut album, Hadrien Feraud, features fellow bassists DiPiazza and Linley Marthe.

 

Jimmy Haslip - Jimmy’s remarkable 30-year career in Los Angeles includes session work on seminal sides with Gino Vanelli, Steely Dan, Bruce Hornsby, and Jing Chi, two acclaimed solo albums (Arc and Red Heat), and, of course, 23 CDs with Yellowjackets, the Grammy-winning group he helped found. In addition to tours in support of the Jackets’ latest, Lifecycles, Jimmy is completing his soon-to-be-released third solo disc.

 

Larry Klein - Fresh off his Grammy win as producer of Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters, Los Angeles-native Larry Klein can look back at a career that includes classic bass lines on epic albums by Peter Gabriel, Joni Mitchell, Don Henley, and Wayne Shorter, plus producing roles on acclaimed efforts by Julia Fordham, Madeleine Peyroux, and his wife, Luciana Souza. Larry’s recent projects include co-writing and producing Walter Becker’s new disc, Circus Money, and producing Tracy Chapman’s upcoming CD.

 

Rickey Minor - The hardest working man in showbiz, Rickey and his bass have become synonymous with television, thanks to his musical director roles on American Idol, America’s Got Talent, VH1’s Diva’s Live, the Oscars, the Grammys, the Superbowl, and numerous other broadcasts. From his breakout gig with Whitney Houston to serving such giants as Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones, there are few stars in any style that Rickey hasn’t thrown it down for. His book, “There’s No Traffic on the Extra Mile,” will be out in January, 2009.

 

Neil Stubenhaus - A true Los Angeles session legend, Neil has supported 30 years of the finest talent to pass through Hollywood’s recording and movie studios. While appearing on over 600 albums, 150 film scores, and 20 Grammy-winning songs, he has held it down for such industry icons as Quincy Jones, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, David Foster, Ray Charles, Randy Newman, and Burt Bacharach. True fans are hip to his grooves on cult sides by Pages, Tom Scott, and Karizma—his ongoing band with Vinnie Colaiuta.

 

Tal Wilkenfeld - Tal will be fresh from a tour of her native Sydney, Australia, with guitarist Wayne Krantz and drummer Keith Carlock, when the trio takes the stage at BP Live. Dubbed the “rising star of the bass guitar,” Tal released her solo debut, Transformation, in 2007, racked up tours with Chick Corea and Jeff Beck, and appeared with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter on the A&E series, Live from Abbey Road. She is currently at work on Jeff Beck’s next CD, as well as her own project for a major label.