Nathan East

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 whe

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 school's music programs along with top 40 bands. He has said his early influences included Ron Carter and Ray Brown on upright bass.