| Neil Stubenhaus | |
| Background: | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth Date: | 18 July 1953 |
| Instrument: | Bass guitar |
| Years Active: | 1977–present |
| Associated Acts: | Blood, Sweat & Tears, Quincy Jones, Barbra Streisand |
Neil Stubenhaus is an American bass guitarist.[1] [2]
He started his musical training playing drums and switched to bass guitar at the age of 12. 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 with another Berklee student Steve Smith (Vital Information, Journey). While at Berklee, Neil met session drummers Vinnie Colaiuta (who has worked with famous musicians such as Sting, & Frank Zappa) and John Robinson (who has also worked with superstars, including Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, Michael Jackson).
In 1977 he joined Blood Sweat & Tears and recorded David Clayton-Thomas' first solo album. In 1978, he went on tour with Larry Carlton. That led him to move to the West Coast where, following recommendations from Carlton, he met Mike Post and other composers and started doing sessions. Since 1979, Stubenhaus performed on more than 600 albums (of which 70 + have been Grammy Award-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 Aerosmith, Anita Baker, Gigi D'Alessio, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Carl Wilson, Stephanie Mills, Juice Newton, Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra, Dolly Parton, Thelma Houston, Irene Cara, Al Kooper, Roberta Flack, Nancy Wilson, Patti LaBelle, Peter Allen, Kenny Rogers, Peabo Bryson, Michael Franks, Barry Manilow, Billy Preston, Willie Nelson, Michael Bolton, Glenn Frey, Natalie Cole, Jennifer Holliday, Olivia Newton-John, Toni Braxton, Brenda Russell, Solomon Burke, Randy Newman, Ricky Martin, Dan Fogelberg, Boz Scaggs, Glenn Medeiros, Ilse DeLange, Céline Dion, Terence Trent D'Arby, Sheena Easton, Melissa Manchester, John Fogerty, Liza Minnelli, Cher, Ray Parker Jr., Patti Austin, Sam Phillips, Vonda Shepard, Rickie Lee Jones, Adam Cohen, Ringo Starr, Paul Anka, Faith Hill, Shirley Bassey, Joe Cocker, Bobby Caldwell, Taylor Dayne, Vince Gill, Randy Crawford, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Don Henley, Luis Miguel, Steve Cropper, Julio Iglesias, B.B. King, Michael McDonald, Bette Midler, Hanson, The Corrs, Steve Lukather, Milton Nascimento, Glen Campbell, José Feliciano, Pointer Sisters, Eros Ramazzotti, Bonnie Raitt, Lee Ritenour, Lionel Richie, Selena, Diane Schuur, Tom Scott, Kirk Whalum, Lisa Stansfield, Cho Yong-Pil
In 2000, Stubenhaus was a participant in Star Licks Productions', All-Star Bass Series.
He is featured on Laura Dickinson's debut album - One For My Baby - To Frank Sinatra With Love - playing "My Funny Valentine", a layered chordal electric bass and vocal duet that Ms. Dickinson arranged specifically for him.
Since January 2015, a FB page (www.facebook.com/NStubenhausbass)and a FB group (Neil Stubenhaus - Approved Fan Page) have been active. Run by a fan/friend of Neil's, both pages are approved by Mr. Stubenhaus, although he is not actively participating in their respective contents. On 9 January 2018, the page Neil Stubenhaus (www.facebook.com/Nstubenhausbass) has become Neil's Official FB page.