“Bass players can solo through changes just like a horn player or a guitarist”: Watch Nathan East raise the bar as a soloist on Al Jarreau’s Our Love

Nathan East with his Yamaha Signature Bass during Nathan East in Yamaha Clinic Tour to Promote his Signature Bass and DVD "Business of Bass" in Tokyo, Japan.

Nathan East has certainly done his part to uphold the strong groove tradition established by studio bassists – but he's also helped to raise the bar as a soloist. His undeniable flair for blues and bebop-drenched improvisation has led to his being given solos in unlikely places in various pop, rock, and R&B settings. A prime example is his classic solo on Our Love, from Al Jarreau's 1985 concert video Al Jarreau Live in London.

East's melodic 16-bar solo, coupled with frequent cable and PBS airings of the Live in London video, have since inspired many a band-leader to feature bass solos on pop ballads. “Al loved the offbeat nature of having the bass guitar play a solo in the middle of his ballad, so it became an established part of the show,” said East, who used a Yamaha BB3000 5-string.