Neil Stubenhaus
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Neil Stubenhaus (born July 18, 1953) is an American professional musician specialising in the bass guitar.
He started his musical training playing drums but very quickly - around the age of 12 he began playing bass guitar. He studied at the Berklee College of Music where he graduated in 1975. After graduation, he was recommended by Steve Swallow and started teaching while playing in a band featuring another Berklee student Steve Smith (Vital Information, Journey). While at Berklee, Neil met Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting, Frank Zappa, session) and John JR Robinson (Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, Michael Jackson) with whom he is still working with to this day.
Around 1977 he joined Blood Sweat and Tears and recorded David Clayton-Thomas' first solo album. His first breakthrough gig came in 1978 when he went on tour with Larry Carlton. That lead him to move to the East Coast where, following recommendations from Carlton, he met Mike Post and other composers and started doing sessions.
Since 1979, Neil has been one of the most recorded bass players ever. He has appeared on more than 600 albums (of which 70 + have been Grammy nominated), over 20 Grammy winning songs and 60 + Gold and/or Platinum records. He has also recorded over 150 movie soundtracks as well as countless jingles and commercials.
For over 20 years, Neil has been Barbra Streisand's and Quincy Jones' main bass player. Other artists he recorded/toured/played with include Elton John, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Wilson, Patti LaBelle, Michael Bolton, Ricky Martin, Dan Fogelberg, John Fogerty, Cher, Joe Cocker, Bobby Caldwell, Taylor Dayne, Vince Gill, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Don Henley, Luis Miguel, Julio Iglesias, BB King, Michael McDonald, Bette Midler, Hanson, The Corrs, Milton Nascimento, Pointer Sisters, Eros Ramazzotti, Lee Ritenour, Lionel Richie, Diane Schuur, Tom Scott, Kirk Whalum and many many others.