Abraham Laboriel, Sr. Interview Part 1

View PART 2 only at www.bassfrontiersmag.com

Abraham Laboriel, Sr. has played on over 4,000 recordings and soundtracks. Wrapping your head around that is a steep concept. Laboriel actually began as a guitarist before switching to bass during his tenure at Berklee College of Music.

Since then, his career has included recordings with Donald Fagen, Stevie Wonder, Billy Cobham, Elton John, Ray Charles, Madonna, Paul Simon, Herbie Hancock, Dolly Parton, and Michael Jackson, among a ridiculous amount of others. Oh, and he recorded three solo albums with knockout casts. Laboriel still plays live with the band Open Hands with Justo Almario, Greg Mathieson, and Bill Maxwell.

In 2005, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by Berklee College of Music (note from Managing Editor, Matt O'Donnell: I was there, then he played Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" with Steve Gadd and a student ensemble. Sorry, can't really top that...)

Enjoy this interview as much as we did filming it. This is truly one of our proudest moments so far!