Nathan East Clinic Brings Out The Bassists

BUENA PARK, CA (April 8, 2005) — Kenosha, Wisconsin’s world famous Brat Stop was the place to be on Monday, March 21, as musicians and fans of all ages enjoyed a private evening with Fourplay and Eric Clapton bassist Nathan East. The clinic, sponsored by Yamaha Guitars and Music Center Inc., drew an audience of around 150 from the Kenosha, Lake Geneva, Milwaukee and Chicagoland areas, and also celebrated the retailer’s first year as a member of the Yamaha Sapphire dealer network.

“Music Center did an amazing job in providing product and in making their guests feel comfortable in a great venue,” said Yamaha Pro Audio & Combo district manager Jamie Medina. “Nathan did the rest. Music Center is a great addition to our Sapphire network – not only because of their dedication to selling Yamaha guitars, but also because of their 60 years of dedication to the community and to music education.”

The event included Q&A, autograph and photo sessions. East played along with a number of classic songs from his long and diverse career, and finished with some improvisational jamming to drum tracks. Drawings and giveaways included a Yamaha BB414 bass guitar, which was won by Cory Flynn of Frankfort, Ill.

“Nathan was an absolute pleasure to work with,” said Music Center’s Jim Paulsen. “Even though he had a 5:40 a.m. flight the next morning, he went out to a late dinner with the entire crew.”

A longtime Yamaha artist, East became a member of Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra as a teenager, and has since recorded, toured and written with Anita Baker, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Babyface, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau and Phil Collins, and co-wrote the number one Collins/Philip Bailey hit “Easy Lover.” His background in jazz and pop has earned him Most Valuable Player at the International Rock Awards and “Bassist of the Year” honors at the National Smooth Jazz Awards. East is an original member of the contemporary jazz group Fourplay, along with Bob James and Harvey Mason, and has developed his own Signature Series bass guitar for Yamaha.

Yamaha Guitars is currently expanding the Sapphire network, and has scheduled additional clinics throughout the year.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Guitar Products, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.