Stanley Clarke

For other people named Stanley Clarke, see Stanley Clarke (disambiguation).

Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke at Leverkusener Jazztage (Germany), November 7, 2016
Stanley Clarke at Leverkusener Jazztage (Germany), November 7, 2016
Background information
Born (1951-06-30) June 30, 1951 (age 73)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • composer
Instruments
  • Double bass
  • bass guitar
Years active1966–present
Labels
Websitestanleyclarke.com

Stanley Clarke (born June 30, 1951) is an American bassist, composer and founding member of Return to Forever, one of the first jazz fusion bands. Clarke gave the bass guitar a prominence it lacked in jazz-related music. He is the first jazz-fusion bassist to headline tours, sell out shows worldwide and have recordings reach gold status.[1][2][3]

Clarke is a 5-time Grammy winner, with 15 nominations, 3 as a solo artist, 1 with the Stanley Clarke Band, and 1 with Return to Forever.[4][5] Clarke was selected to become a 2022 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship.[6]

A Stanley Clarke electric bass is permanently on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.[7][8][1]

  1. ^ a b "Stanley Clarke Finds Reel Career in Film Scores : Jazz: For the multifaceted bassiest, who comes to the Coach House tonight, touring is now a way to unwind". Los Angeles Times. November 17, 1993. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  2. ^ "Stanley Clarke Lets His Bass Do the Talking in Solo Album". Los Angeles Times. July 29, 1988. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  3. ^ "BOYZ N THE HOOD 25th Anniversary Celebration and Conversation". Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. May 18, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  4. ^ "Stanley Clarke". GRAMMY.com. November 19, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  5. ^ "Stanley Clarke Discusses Return To Forever". GRAMMY.com. September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  6. ^ "Stanley Clarke National Endowment for the Arts". Arts.gov. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  7. ^ "Stanley Clarke Signature Standard 4 String Bass". National Museum of African American History and Culture. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  8. ^ "The Stanley Clarke Band". GRAMMY.com. November 19, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2020.