In celebration of our 10th anniversary, we’re featuring the achievements, exploits and adventures of our illustrious Board of Directors across the music industry.
For the second in our ongoing series of weekly snapshots, we catch up with four-time Grammy™ winner, jazz pioneer, bass virtuoso and living legend: Stanley Clarke!
Stanley Clarke, Liberator of the Electric and Acoustic Basses
We know that (in reality) we can’t actually “catch up” with Stanley, because he is an amazing blur in perpetual creative motion: performing, evolving, composing, mentoring, and serving as an inspirational role model.
We’re honored that Stanley has served as member of our board since 2009 and that he has generously sponsored a performance scholarship in his name via his own foundation for “the best and brightest talents” at Musicians Institute every year since 2000.
Stanley Clarke, Honorary Doctor of Music (MI) at his 2012 scholarship event
Here is the classic and extremely star-studded video from “Night School” filmed at Musicians Institute (for the SC scholarship concert) in 2002! You’ll even spot fellow MF board member Sheila E taking a slamming drum and timbale solo:
We’re looking forward to the 2014 scholarship concert event (with very special guest judge/performers TBA) to be held on November 23rd at Musicians Institute Concert Hall. This event will be open to the public, and ticketing details will be posted as the event gets closer. Applications and full information for the 2014 event is available HERE.
We found Stanley last weekend, (coming off of several live dates performing as The Stanley Clarke Trio (feat. 17 year old virtuoso Beka Gochiashvili – keys, 19 year old phenom Michael Mitchell – drums) closing the Toronto Jazz Festival on June 28th.
Beka and Stanley
Here, Stanley talks about bringing up talent, teaching and being a mentor to younger players (with appearances by Beka and Michael):
George Duke and Stanley Clarke
Just two weeks ago (June 14), Stanley and vocalist Al Jarreau headlined a special tribute in honor of longtime friend and collaborator George Duke featuring John Beasley, Marcus Miller, Dianne Reeves, Ndugu, Byron Miller, Greg Phillinganes, Jeffrey Osborne and Phil Perry at the 2014 Playboy Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl.
Yet another accolade was extended to Stanley recently when The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (The Academy Awards) invited him to join the organization along with 271 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures.
The 2014 invitees are listed here.
Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke
For the entire month of July, Stanley will be touring Europe with Chick Corea, on the festival circuit performing “The Songs of Return Forever” as a duo. First stop is tomorrow (July 3rd) for the Kongsberg Jazz Festival in Norway.
Looking ahead…Stanley has a new record set to be released September 30th featuring Stewart Copeland, Paul Jackson Jr., Jimmy Herring (Widespread Panic and MI alumnus), the Harlem String Quartet, and more.
To stay up to date on the latest of what’s happening with Stanley, you can find him online:
Here are a couple of other great clips of Stanley showing us how it’s done!:
Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Stanley Clarke & Omar Hakim -Cantelope Island
All we can say is…”wow”:
Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, Joe Henderson. (L’S BOP)
We’re extremely proud of our board, and their dedication in support of music education!
The Musicians Foundation Blog 