Leland Sklar

Leland Sklar

Leland Sklar in 2007
Background information
Birth name Leland Bruce Sklar
Born May 28, 1947[1]
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Origin Southern California
Genres Rock, pop, country
Occupation(s) Session musician
Instruments Electric Bass, vocals, piano
Years active 1958–Present
Associated acts The Section, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Warren Zevon, Phil Collins, Toto, Era

Leland Bruce "Lee" Sklar (born May 28, 1947 in Milwaukee) is an American musician and film score composer. A prominent electric bassist, Sklar has contributed to over 2,000 albums as a session musician. He has collaborated with a number of well-known performers and recorded soundtracks to films and television shows.

Biography

Sklar studied music at California State University, Northridge. It was during that time he met James Taylor, who invited him to play bass at some venues. They both thought that the work would be short-term, but soon Taylor's career took off with his first hit records, and Sklar came into the limelight. He was soon asked to record with others, and his long career began.[2]

Sklar's favorite instrument is a hand-carved 1962 Fender Jazz Bass.[3] In 2013, after years of having been a Warwick Star Bass II user, he became an endorser of that instrument.[4][5]

In 2004, Sklar began playing a signature model 5 string bass made by Dingwall Guitars[6] of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. This was his main bass on tour and he used them in various recordings. The bass uses fanned frets which result in longer low strings and shorter high strings.

In 2010, Sklar began playing the Warwick Star Bass II which has since become his main bass in the studio. [7]

In 2010 Sklar joined the Troubadour Reunion Tour accompanying James Taylor and Carole King.

Selected discography

Selected albums

Selected film and television soundtracks

Selected film appearances

References

  1. Leland Sklar at AllMusic
  2. Session Players biography. Accessed November 2008.
  3. Gratiot, Preston L. "Leland Sklar: Studio to Stage". Vintage Guitar. p. 3437.
  4. "Lee Sklar is the Latest Member of the Warwick Family". Bass Musician Magazine. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  5. "Lee Sklar is the Latest Member of the Warwick Family". Warwick. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  6. "Lee Sklar Signature". Dingwall Guitars. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
  7. http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2013/10/lee-sklar-is-the-latest-member-of-the-warwick-family/
  8. "Albums". stevelukather.net. 2008-02-22. Retrieved 2011-08-10.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leland Sklar.