Recent Additions

December 07, 2001, Los Angeles, CA: The National Smooth Jazz Awards LLC would like to congratulate all the Recording Artists and Producers who were nominated for the 2002 National Smooth Jazz Awards:

SAXOPHONIST OF THE YEAR: Richard Elliot Boney James Jeff Kashiwa Dave Koz Kirk Whalum	BRASS PERFORMER OF THE YEAR Herb Alpert Chris Botti Rick Braun Brian Culbertson Jerry Hey
GUITARIST OF THE YEAR Marc Antoine Joyce Cooling Jeff Golub Chuck Loeb Peter White	KEYBOARDIST OF THE YEAR Brian Culbertson Bob James Ramsey Lewis Jeff Lorber Freddie Ravel
BASSIST OF THE YEAR Alex Al Brian Bromberg Nathan East Wayman Tisdale Gerald Veasley	DRUMMER OF THE YEAR Peter Erkstine Steve Ferrone Steve Gadd Harvey Mason John Roberts
PERCUSSIONIST OF THE YEAR Lenny Castro Luis Conte Sheila E Pete Escovedo Steve Reid	VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Al Jarreau Diana Krall Michael McDonald Sade Luther Vandross
GROUP OF THE YEAR Fattburger Pieces Of A Dream Rippingtons Spyro Gyra Urban Knights	PRODUCER OF THE YEAR Paul Brown Steve Dubin Bud Harner Tommy LiPuma Chuck Loeb
BEST NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR Joe Fuentes Jaared Alicia Keys Shilts Lao Tizer	FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Patti Austin Joyce Cooling Diana Krall Keiko Matsui Sade
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Rick Braun Boney James Dave Koz Jeff Lorber Peter White	COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR "Caribbean Breeze" (Russ Freeman/Peter White) "Get Up Stand Up" (Lee Ritenour/Dave Grusin) "Mas Que Nada" (Marc Antoine/Patti Austin) "Medicine Man" (George Benson/Joe Sample) "Shake It Up" (Boney James/Rick Braun)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR "Crush" (Richard Elliot) "Kisses In The Rain" (Rick Braun) "Lovers Rock" (Sade) "To Grover With Love" (Jason Miles/Various Artists) "Twist Of Marley" (Lee Ritenour/Various Artists)	SONG OF THE YEAR "Crush" (Richard Elliot) "Kisses In The Rain" (Rick Braun) "Love Is On The Way" (Dave Koz) "Mas Que Nada" (Marc Antoine) "Sneak A Peek" (Euge Groove)

Fourplay bassist Nathan East has just been knighted and accepted into the world's most elite organization of Magicians known as The Magic Circle. In addition to being a premier bassist, songwriter and producer, Nathan performs magic on the side. Last month, Nathan was accepted into The Magic Circle at their headquarters located in London. The Magic Circle, currently consisting of approximately 1,500 members throughout the world, was founded in 1905 as a society dedicated to promoting and advancing the art of magic. To become a member you not only have to demonstrate a practical ability in the art of magic, but also undergo an interview with one of the senior members of The Magic Circle and pass an exhaustive examination.

In the meantime, Nathan is putting the finishing touches on his upcoming debut solo album appropriately titled "Makin' Magic."

Recently Added Links

1. University of California, San Diego Alumni Article
   From Nate's alma mater!
2. Band Bio from Eric Clapton's Official Site
   Why is this rather important link at the bottom of the page? Because instead of "Nathan East," it mentions "Nathan West!"

   I sent an email to Eric Clapton's Official Site suggesting that "Nathan West" be changed to "Nathan East." But there has been no response. So, speculation as to the identity of Nathan West continues...

   Perhaps Nathan West is from a parallel universe. Or maybe Nathan West is Nathan East's evil twin, squandering the music lessons his parents worked so hard to provide by recording bad Musak versions of 1980's hits and performing accordian music for "captive" audiences in retirement homes and prisons!

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