Nate Phillips

By Ken Capobianco

But these days, the agile bassist, who has worked with numerous superstar musicians over the years, is also busy resurrecting his funk band, Pleasure, which had success in the late 1970s and early ’80s. Phillips and Pleasure are releasing Now Is the Time, their first record in 37 years, and gearing up for playing shows behind the album. Now Is the Time is a set of throwback funk so greasy it could keep a 12-wheeler running smoothly for miles. The joyous, bottom-heavy grooves evoke a different time in pop music when the likes of Parliament Funkadelic, The Dazz Band, Graham Central Station and Cameo raised the roofs. Featuring superb artistry led by Phillips’ elastic bass, the songs sound vintage, while also being thoroughly contemporary. The band updates the sound that brought them the hit “Glide” from their 1979 album Future Now and helped them make a dent on the era’s jazz-funk scene. It’s the kind of knee-deep, in-the-groove, feel-good music you hardly hear anymore, unless it’s being sampled by hip-hop bands. “We got some of the main members of the band together, and we thought we’d just do a song—maybe a single. But one became two and then three, and that became eight,” said the amiable Phillips recently via phone. “We have no support. We’re putting it out on our own, but the response from the people who have heard it has been so great so far, so who knows what’s going to happen.” Phillips, who has been the go-to bassist for a number of bands and musicians for more than four decades, said the band tried to figure out how to reintroduce themselves with new music, and they finally realized that the maxim “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applied. “At first, we thought we’d try to capture the new sound and put something on top of it, but we decided to make music like we used to play it. I think it works, and people will want to hear it.” It’s certainly a treat for funk and R&B fans in an era when real-deal funk is hard to find. While the rousing sound might seem like a departure for those who recognize Phillips for his work with White, best known for his sleek melodicism, Phillips thinks there’s a simple connection between styles: deep musicality and expert musicianship.

two terabytes of songs and “Peter is such a great player, and a huge library of albums. it’s a pleasure to work with him. It’s I love listening to music— been a good ride working together,” said Phillips. “Peter, he’s the scholar there’s so much great music of musicology, and his music crosses out there and great bass categories. He writes great songs––the players, too. I love to stay melody is always first––and we can on top of things.” work it up, especially onstage. As a musician, that’s what you look for.” Phillips continues to play with White, including on this year’s A Peter White Christmas tour, but he has built a career by being an oncall bassist for many years––a role he says he enjoys because he recognizes the demands of each job and knows how to help artists realize their musical visions. “They call me for a reason—they know what I can bring, and they also want my input. I always do my homework. Probably the most important thing is to be prepared,” he said. “I’ve worked with so many artists in different genres. I’ve played with Gerald Albright, Rick Braun, The BarKays, Club Nouveau, Con Funk Shun and so many others. I’m glad I can jump around, but I know I’m always going to play music the way they want to hear it. Of course, they want my creativity, but they have their sound, and I’m there to make it work.” Phillips said that the life of a working musician who has been on the road for years doesn’t get easier as he gets older, but he appreciates that he doesn’t have to endure the rigors of touring like a struggling musician anymore. “Oh, let me tell you, I’m glad to be done with the touring in the van and doubling up on rooms,” he said. “On the Christmas tour with Peter, we figure out

continued from page 15 the way to make things as easy as possible, and I’m long past the times like back in the day when I’d play a gig and go out to a club. Just can’t do that anymore, so it’s very different,” he laughed. One of the keys for Phillips as an in-demand musician is staying current. Phillips’ love of new music is undiminished, as he listens to all genres of pop music. “I have five 120-gig iPods, two terabytes of songs and a huge library of albums. I love listening to music––there’s so much great music out there and great bass players, too. I love to stay on top of things.” As one of the premiere sidemen in pop music, Phillips said his best advice for young musicians who want to have an enduring career is pretty basic: “Prepare yourself, be on time, listen, be willing to compromise, and give what it takes to get things done. I’ve always given my best. To me, that’s what’s important.” Phillips, 62, was born in Portland, Oregon, and currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife of 20 years, Pam, and their two cats. For more information on Phillips, visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nathaniel.phillips.58.

Instrument: electric bass Performed and/or recorded with: David Sanborn, Eric Marienthal, Chris Standring, The Brothers Johnson, Dave Koz, Warren Hill, Rick Braun, Peter White, Mindi Abair, Candy Dulfer, the late Jeff Golub, Tom Scott, Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp, Brian Simpson, Marc Antoine Education: Four years of jazz, classical and big band performance studies at Los Angeles City College Music Program Solo discography: Gratitude, For the Moment, Off the Beat ’n’ Path, Reach the Light; and funk projects with his band The Deep Fried Funk Society: Introducing The Deep Fried Funk Society; Fried Knuckle Sammich; Sumthin’ Old, Sumthin’ New

Instrument: bass guitar Performed and/or recorded with: Jazz in Pink, Miki Howard, Shanice Education: Bachelor of Science in business management from California State University, Bakersfield Solo discography: This Is My Life Website: www.robinbramlettmusic.com

Instruments: bass guitar and acoustic bass Performed and/or recorded with: Pieces of a Dream, Lalah Hathaway, Peter White, Walter Beasley, Me’Shell Ndegeocello, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, The Sax Pack, Gerald Albright, Steve Cole, Eric Darius, New Kids On The Block, the late Chuck Brown, Jeanette Harris, Rick Braun, Michael Franks, Bob James, Jazz Funk Soul (Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp and the late Chuck Loeb, replaced by Paul Jackson Jr.) Education: Bachelor of Arts in music and production engineering from Berklee College of Music Solo discography: David Dyson & Groove Theory - Unit 3 Deep, Unleashed, The Dawning, Soulmates Website: http://DavidDysonBass.com

Instrument: bass Performed and/or recorded with: Mindi Abair & The Boneshakers, the late Jeff Golub, David Pack, Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Air Supply, Shakira, Brian Auger, “Dancing with the Stars” Education: University of Miami, Interlochen Arts Academy Solo discography: Let The Games Begin Ron “Buttercup” Jenkins

Instrument: bass guitar Performed and/or recorded with: Anita Baker, Bob James, the late Wayman Tisdale, Bob Baldwin, Kirk Whalum, Nelson Rangell, Walter Beasley, Warren Hill, Alex Bugnon, the late Chuck Loeb, the late Jeff Golub, Phil Perry, Cher,

Cyndi Lauper, Will Downing, the late Whitney Houston, the late Bill Evans, the late Gato Barbieri, Patti Austin, Diana Ross, Philippe Saisse, Jazz Funk Soul, Jeff Lorber, Jazmin Ghent, Ragan Whiteside and more Education: Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University Solo discography: The Music of... Ron Jenkins Vail Johnson

Instruments: electric and fretless bass Performed and/or recorded with: Kenny G, Herbie Hancock, Gerald Albright, George Benson, Eric Marienthal, Warren Hill, Jeff Lorber, Kirk Whalum, Chris Botti, Patti Austin, James Ingram, Peabo Bryson, Michael Bolton, Keiko Matsui, Keb’ Mo’, the late Whitney Houston, Smokey Robinson, Rita Coolidge, Paula Abdul, Edgar Winter, Michael Henderson, Carmine Appice, Frank Gambale, the late David Cassidy, Phil Perry, Steve Perry, Stevie Nicks and more Education: University of Washington Solo discography: Terminator, Says Who, Underground, Come Together, Flow, The Seventh Son Website: www.vailjohnson.com

Performed and/or recorded with: Dave Koz, Jonathan Butler, Norman Brown, Boney James, Candy Dulfer, Tom Braxton, Gerald Albright, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Aubrey Logan, Brian Simpson, Brian Culbertson, Peter White, Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson Jr., Everette Harp, Euge Groove, Grace Kelly, Marc Antoine, David Benoit, Kirk Whalum, Adam Hawley, Eric Darius, Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters, Jackiem Joyner, Warren Hill, Keiko Matsui, Maysa, Michael Paulo, Blake Aaron, Oleta Adams, Eric Marienthal, Patches Stewart, Lalah Hathaway, Mary Mary, Tramaine Hawkins, Kurt Carr, Smokie Norful, Bishop Paul Morton, Bill Medley, Christopher Cross, Babyface, Toni Braxton, Mindi Abair, J Moss, Kenny Lattimore, Marion Meadows, Tim Bowman, Elan Trotman, Jesse Campbell, Chanté Moore, Eric Roberson, Phil Denny, Marcus Anderson, James Fortune & FIYA, Taio Cruz, Sheila E., Javier Colon, Jeffrey Osborne and more Education: DeVry Institute of Technology, East Carolina University Solo discography: Back to Bassics Website: www.nathanielkearneyjr.com

Instrument: bass, vocals Performed and/or recorded with: Johnny Guitar Watson, Jean Carne, Norman Brown, Jeff Lorber, Patti Austin, Chaka Khan, Peabo Bryson, The Funk Brothers, Chanté Moore, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Peter White, Mindi Abair, Dennis Chambers

Instruments: electric, acoustic and synth bass; trombone; keyboards; guitar; violin; drums Performed and/or recorded with: Brian Culbertson, Najee, “Chinese Idol,” Alex Bugnon, Cissy Houston, Vy Higginsen, Deniece Williams, Marvin Winans, Desmond Tutu and more Education: Associate of Arts in sociology/philosophy from Buffalo State College, Associate of Arts in liberal arts and sciences from Erie Community College Solo discography: Dlna, Hot Steps, Conversations, My Father’s Son Website: www.rishonodel5.com (under construction)

Instruments: bass guitar, tuba Performed and/or recorded with: Ronnie Laws, Elan Trotman, Jackiem Joyner, Eddie Baccus Jr., Jeanette Harris, Reggie Codrington, Dee Lucas, Deon Yates, Eloise Laws, Ashling “Biscuit” Cole, Shirley Murdock, Darryl Williams, JJ Sansaverino, David P. Stevens, Gail Jhonson, Oli Silk, Brian Simpson, Lin Rountree, Althea Rene, Windy Barnes, ThreeStyle, George Freeman, Willie Bradley, Marcus Anderson Education: Studied mass communications at Shaw University

Instruments: bass, synth bass, keyboards, vocals Performed and/or recorded with: Dave Koz, Boney James, Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot, the late George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Keiko Matsui, the late Joe Sample, Jonathan Butler, Mindi Abair, Brian Simpson, Rick Braun, Peter White, Bob James and more Education: bachelor’s degree in business administration from Morehouse College

Instruments: bass, keyboard bass Performed and/or recorded with: Anita Baker, Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Everette Harp, Norman Brown, Doc Powell, Lee Ritenour, The Isley Brothers, the late Natalie Cole, Boney James, the late George Howard, Jeff Lorber, Chanté Moore, Tom Jones, Maysa, Kirk Whalum, Peter White, the late Teena Marie, the late Leon Ware, Tom Scott, Bobby Lyle, Paul Jackson Jr., Michael Paulo, James Ingram, Ledisi, Jeffrey Osborne, Howard Hewett, David Benoit, Najee, Paul Taylor, Brian Simpson, Lalah Hathaway and more Solo discography: This Is Me, Stories and a new record scheduled for release in 2019 Website: www.dwaynesmittysmith.com

Instruments: bass guitar, drums, piano, percussion, vocals Performed and/or recorded with: Chaka Khan, Paul Taylor, Dave Koz, Steve Oliver, the Staple Singers, Maceo Parker, the late Fats Domino, the late Grover Washington Jr., Harry Connick Jr., Roy Ayers, Everette Harp, Kenny Loggins, Eloise Laws, U-Nam, Jackiem Joyner, Nils, Jeanette Harris, Monty Seward, Barbara Mason, Michael Henderson, The BusBoys

Instrument: bass Performed and/or recorded with: Marc Antoine, Ricardo Arjona, Patti Austin, Ana Barbara, David Benoit, George Benson, Rick Braun, Norman Brown, Paul Brown, Bobby Caldwell, Randy Crawford, Christopher Cross, Eric Darius, Hilary Duff, Richard Elliot, Michael Franks, the late Jeff Golub, Euge Groove, Bob James, Boney James, the late Al Jarreau, Michael Lington, Los Tri-O, Nils, Jeffrey Osborne, Johnny Rivers, Arturo Sandoval, Boz Scaggs, Diane Schuur, the late Joan Sebastian, Spyro Gyra, Alvaro Torres, Kirk Whalum, Peter White Education: New York’s High School of Music and Art, The Juilliard School Solo discography: Pure Lines, Boom Boom Boom Website: www.robertovally.com

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Instrument: drums Performed and/or recorded with: Norman Brown, Macy Gray, CeeLo Green, will.i.am, Billy Currington, Michelle Williams, Miguel

Instrument: drums Performed and/or recorded with: Bobby Caldwell, George Benson, Jeff Lorber, Gerald Albright, Randy Crawford, member of The L.A. Collective, Everette Harp, Paul Jackson Jr., The Jazz Crusaders (Wayne Henderson and the late Wilton Felder), Robben Ford, Bobby Lyle, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Phil Perry, Jonathan Butler, Kenny Lattimore, Euge Groove, Norman Brown, Marion Meadows, Warren Hill, Brian Culbertson, David Pack, Brian Simpson, Michael Lington, Diane Schuur, The Isley Brothers, Peabo Bryson, the late Johnny ”Guitar” Watson, Shirley Caesar, Najee, Doc Powell, Katharine McPhee, Gladys Knight, Herb Alpert and more Education: Bachelor of Science in industrial arts and technology from Tennessee State University Website: www.tonymooredrums.com

(Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown), Dave Koz, Jeff Lorber, Ramsey Lewis, Nick Colionne, Destiny’s Child, Mike Phillips, Steve Cole and more Education: Chicago State University

Instrument: drums, vocals Performed and/or recorded with: Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Chaka Khan, Gerald Albright, El DeBarge, Ray Parker Jr., Destiny’s Child, Patti Austin, John Legend, Brian Culbertson, En Vogue, Tevin Campbell, Jonathan Butler, Boney James, Gee Mack & The Swing Set, Bobby Lyle, Peter White, Rick Braun, Gregg Karukas, The Winans, Tom Scott, Paul Jackson Jr., Will Downing, Mandy Moore, Jody Watley, Eric Benet, Chanté Moore, James Vargas, Kenny G, Dan Siegel, Nils, Oli Silk, Jane Zhang and more

Instruments: drums, bass guitar Performed and/or recorded with: Dave Koz, Richard Elliot, Patti LaBelle, Erykah Badu, Steve Lukather, Steve Vai, Larry Carlton, the late Wayman Tisdale, Dionne Warwick, Patti Austin, Stevie Wonder, David Benoit, Stephanie Mills, Jonathan Fritzén, Paul Taylor, Brian Culbertson, Norman Brown,

Jeffrey Osborne, Darren Rahn, Lalah Hathaway, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Maysa, Regina Bell, Jonathan Butler, Bob Baldwin, Everette Harp, Eric Marienthal, Nick Colionne, Najee, Yolanda Adams, David Pack, Darryl Coley, Mindi Abair, Jeff Ryan, Rick Braun, Peter White, Marc Antoine, Candy Dulfer, Warren Hill, Eric Darius, Gregg Karukas, Greg Manning, Adam Hawley, Nicholas Cole, the late Jeff Golub, Phil Denny, Michael McDonald, Melissa Manchester, Kurt Besor, Chris Standring, Jody Watley, Anthony Federov, Marcus Johnson, U-Nam, Marion Meadows, Bobby Lyle, Chris Botti, Doc Powell, Jackiem Joyner, Down to the Bone and more Education: Bachelor of Music from University of the District of Columbia Solo discography: Eric Valentine’s Jazz Impressions, Velvet Groove Website: http://velvetgroovemusic.com