Hi You tube. I am a bass player and have been studying Abe and Victor for about 15 years. This is a peak of humanity example of bass playing that will never be surpassed.
I've heard many bassists try this kind of thing but never heard it done quite this way. Always captivating, Abe. Always a pleasure to hear and work with you. Blessings!!
While there he was introduced to the electric bass guitar.He fell in love with the instrument. He was probably the first musician to take the style of classical guitar playing and adapt it to the electric bass. What you are seeing in his playing is a master musician and musical prodigy playing a bass guitar in ways that few have ever even tried. Abe continues to this day, in his innovative interpretation of bass playing in a way that surely makes him one the most sought after in the industry.
Abe is just out of this world, He was the first bass player I bought a video of when I was just learning to play bass (Begining Funk Bass). That was almost 12 yrs ago and I still learn so much from the same tape.
I meet Abe at a Conference called Noise in New Zealand. He is incomparable to anybody. He revolutionized the Bass as we know it. Ya can't hold a candle to him, and its thanks to him we have the slap bass technique. Props Abe.
When I was a kid, I saw him play live with the Henry Mancini orchestra in 1976 in Hamilton. He did a bass solo leading into Peter Gunn that I can still remember almost note-for-note 30+ years later. It had a huge impact on me as a kid. It was only through the internet that I was able to find out who that "Abraham La Boreal" guy was that Mancini introduced as the soloist so many years ago. He still brings it.
I love Abe's playing. He is a force and has been a powerhouse here in the studios of Los Angeles for years. He is a master of his instrument and brings his creativity and talent as does other players who we all can admire and emulate. I met him once and his advice to me was "stay happy!" I now pass that on to all of you with this added advice, appreciate the talent of this great player for he has many lessons to teach!!
His pure joy and his connection with the music he plays is something I have never seen before. He is so fun to watch dance around, kinda like a big dancing bear on stage. If you ever have the opportunity to see him perform live you will know what I mean.
He is one of my First Influence in bass playing! There's no words that can explain how blessed I am because of you & I'm forever grateful. God bless you more Abe Sr. ("How i wish & pray to watch you perform live on & off stage...")
Saw Abe with Abe Jr and Landau words can't express it. Concert with Justo Almario at C.A. years ago. Abe got stuck in traffic after a session. Another bass player was filling in. Abe walked in the building and plugged in and melted the place down. Bass+total joy = Abe!
awesome why i really like this is that i can feel hes playing the way a bass player plays from the heart and soul u can tell he aproaches it from a bass players stance!!!...luv it man...thanks for the post!!!
He has been able to cross all the lines in modern music and virtually play any style of music that record producers have required of him. With well over 3,000 recordings in the can, his presence in modern music cannot be denied. His credit list is long and distinguished and includes some of the top singers and bands in modern music. Being a fan of his for almost 20 yrs, I can attest that his musical bag of tricks is seemingly endless. He is in high demand for recording and tours to this date.
@ULIGH: this is from an old VHS that Abe did, think it's called 'new bass concepts'. I've got it somewhere! So glad someone's taken the time to convert and upload some of it. I think the name of this piece is 'Laura', but don't quote me on that. There's a bass and flute duet (feat. Justo Almario) on the same video which is worth looking out for too.
U had an opportunity to express urself, I believe to the fullest. God will say well done...Powell(Botswana) I like ur playing so so much, u r actually my role model
stereotype? FYI. Uh, he's actually hispanic born in Mexico City. Guitar Player Magazine described him as: "the most widely used session bassist of our time". Laboriel is the father of drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. Graduated from Berklee School of Music.
Abe was a musical prodigy as a child and studied classical guitar. Early on He mastered the flamenco rasgueado style and was recording music as at 12 years old. To those unfamiliar with rasgueado it is the playing of the guitar with all 5 fingers of the strumming hand and four fingers on the neck. It is considered one of the most difficult styles of guitar playing. Abe received a guitar scholarship as a young man to the Berklee school of music in 1972.
Talento ,creatividad,melodia,ritmoetc; Pero sobre todo humildad es lo que caracteriza a este gran musico El mejor o no,es lo de menos,sin duda hay otros mas grandes o mas pequeños que el. Salud para ti Abraham ,para tu hermano Johnny ,tremendo cantante y para toda tufamilia en general..
@heitorcrespo Abe's parents were Garifuna; he was born in some Central American country, I believe. He studied flamenco guitar technique prior to learning the bass. There's no doubt that you could hear some "Southern Hemisphere" in there, whether it's Brazilian, Caribbean ... Abe's roots often come out, because he's the genuine article, and he plays from his heart and soul.
Abe does play on Ritenour's Rio album, on songs Ipanema Sol and It Happens Every Day. Koinonia's album More than a Feeling contains some great solos by Abe. Its hard to find an album he's not played on.
hahaha i've never heard of this guy before, but i love the feeling he puts into his bass. his facial expressions are a nice comic touch too, very smooth playing indeed.
that was nasty!!! I love his stage presence. THe way he dances around and just grooves with te tune is an awesome inspiration. Im Mexicano and I play bass. Its kinda funny how when I look at his playing style as apposed to say...Victors or M Millers, I see similarities in my own style when i see Abe play. Anyways great preformance
You know, Stanley Clark, Marcus and Wooten are master bassists but somehow, Abe Laboriel is more than a master - he is a seasoned master. His solos are more than show-off, they have some sweetness to them ! The way he plays, the way he moves with the music, 1:55 - 2:01 .. unparalleled !
He is a Christian and has spent much of his time recording and touring with other Christian Musicians. He also has recorded his own jazz band "Koinonia". I doubt that there are very many other bass players alive today that are as versatile as Abe Laboriel. Is he the best? Who could answer that, as there are so many great bass players out there. Is he one of the best, I would say, without a doubt. He is definitely one the most entertaining musicians you will ever watch play.
At the beginning he's playing the head (melody) of the song "Laura" - then he goes into the solo. At 4:12 he goes back into the melody again and finishes it. It's that simple :-)
I just found out that the song Laura was originally recorded by Charlie Parker... I don't know if everyone else new that. Still, Abe's take on the song is refreshing and altogether very groovy (although that word doesn't even describe half of it)
Whether its Ritenour's Rio Funk, or Koinonia's Valentine, or Herb Alpert's Rise, Abe is the man, a monster of the bass guitar. Hell, his bass line for the song Rise has reached messianic status amongst the hip-hopster-gangsta rapper crowd. The man is the best.
I'm pretty sure Marcus Miller played the bassline to rio funk... I know Abe was on the album Rio as well, but if you listen it's definitely a more Marcus-esque bass sound, though before he had the active shadowsky pre-amp in his J-bass.
@NPjazzsaxmusic Yes. Thanks for pointing that out, appreciate it are so right, my apologies to all. I've just consulted the back of the Rio album, and you are quite correct. Oh well, but hey , it is a great solo nonetheless eh?
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Hi You tube. I am a bass player and have been studying Abe and Victor for about 15 years. This is a peak of humanity example of bass playing that will never be surpassed.
I've heard many bassists try this kind of thing but never heard it done quite this way. Always captivating, Abe. Always a pleasure to hear and work with you. Blessings!!
While there he was introduced to the electric bass guitar.He fell in love with the instrument. He was probably the first musician to take the style of classical guitar playing and adapt it to the electric bass. What you are seeing in his playing is a master musician and musical prodigy playing a bass guitar in ways that few have ever even tried. Abe continues to this day, in his innovative interpretation of bass playing in a way that surely makes him one the most sought after in the industry.
This is the kind of music that inspires a smile. God bless you, Mr. Laboriel.
What an absolutely gorgeous bass.
Abe is just out of this world, He was the first bass player I bought a video of when I was just learning to play bass (Begining Funk Bass). That was almost 12 yrs ago and I still learn so much from the same tape.
I meet Abe at a Conference called Noise in New Zealand. He is incomparable to anybody. He revolutionized the Bass as we know it. Ya can't hold a candle to him, and its thanks to him we have the slap bass technique.
Props Abe.
When I was a kid, I saw him play live with the Henry Mancini orchestra in 1976 in Hamilton. He did a bass solo leading into Peter Gunn that I can still remember almost note-for-note 30+ years later. It had a huge impact on me as a kid.
It was only through the internet that I was able to find out who that "Abraham La Boreal" guy was that Mancini introduced as the soloist so many years ago. He still brings it.
just saw this guy live. best bassist i've ever seen live in my life
This is ABE at his best
I love Abe's playing. He is a force and has been a powerhouse here in the studios of Los Angeles for years. He is a master of his instrument and brings his creativity and talent as does other players who we all can admire and emulate. I met him once and his advice to me was "stay happy!" I now pass that on to all of you with this added advice, appreciate the talent of this great player for he has many lessons to teach!!
His pure joy and his connection with the music he plays is something I have never seen before. He is so fun to watch dance around, kinda like a big dancing bear on stage. If you ever have the opportunity to see him perform live you will know what I mean.
He is one of my First Influence in bass playing!
There's no words that can explain how blessed I am because of you & I'm forever grateful.
God bless you more Abe Sr.
("How i wish & pray to watch you perform live on & off stage...")
God bless him, he genuinely is enjoying the gift he has. Thats what it is all about.
Saw Abe with Abe Jr and Landau words can't express it. Concert with Justo Almario at C.A. years ago. Abe got stuck in traffic after a session. Another bass player was filling in. Abe walked in the building and plugged in and melted the place down. Bass+total joy = Abe!
Loved abe for years!! he puts so much feelin in his music and has a great non ego attitude about him!! One of the reat bass masters!!
Abe makes it look so easy...so peacefull...
The song is called Laura. It's an old jazz standard.
I got to perform with him on stage about a month ago, followed by tears of shame and awe :D
Yes, I bought this video when it came out. Abraham instantly rose to the top bassist for me right next to Chuck Rainey.
Abe is unbelievable live, he knows every single style and trick for the bass!
awesome why i really like this is that i can feel hes playing the way a bass player plays from the heart and soul u can tell he aproaches it from a bass players stance!!!...luv it man...thanks for the post!!!
This is one of the best instructional videos ever made!
He has been able to cross all the lines in modern music and virtually play any style of music that record producers have required of him. With well over 3,000 recordings in the can, his presence in modern music cannot be denied. His credit list is long and distinguished and includes some of the top singers and bands in modern music. Being a fan of his for almost 20 yrs, I can attest that his musical bag of tricks is seemingly endless. He is in high demand for recording and tours to this date.
His groove is so tight
Just listened to New Frontier by Donald Fagen. Abe lays down one of the coolest, hip bass parts ever.
The gold standard. Love you Abe
love watching this...
@ULIGH: this is from an old VHS that Abe did, think it's called 'new bass concepts'. I've got it somewhere! So glad someone's taken the time to convert and upload some of it. I think the name of this piece is 'Laura', but don't quote me on that.
There's a bass and flute duet (feat. Justo Almario) on the same video which is worth looking out for too.
Love to see a true Master at work... Thanks for the posting. "Jam-On"
U had an opportunity to express urself, I believe to the fullest. God will say well done...Powell(Botswana) I like ur playing so so much, u r actually my role model
This guy becomes one with that bass guitar...i love it !
He is a really great bass player for sure. Beautiful work for sure
I Love Abe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
U had an opportunity to express urself, I believe to the fullest. God will say well done...Powell(Botswana) I like ur playing so so much, u r act
What a legend!!! Fantastic stuff!
incredible incredible incredible!!!!
so god damn awesome
stereotype? FYI. Uh, he's actually hispanic born in Mexico City. Guitar Player Magazine described him as: "the most widely used session bassist of our time". Laboriel is the father of drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. Graduated from Berklee School of Music.
sick feel, great to see a true groove like this
Abe is fantastic! Saw a video of him doing some of his playing/scatting at the same time, the man loves music.
Man i love this guy.
I had this VHS 📼 tape years ago. It was completely worn out by me hitting the rewind button trying to learn his techniques
Happy Birthday, Abe! XoX
Abe was a musical prodigy as a child and studied classical guitar. Early on He mastered the flamenco rasgueado style and was recording music as at 12 years old. To those unfamiliar with rasgueado it is the playing of the guitar with all 5 fingers of the strumming hand and four fingers on the neck. It is considered one of the most difficult styles of guitar playing. Abe received a guitar scholarship as a young man to the Berklee school of music in 1972.
God bless this guy forever he is a Genius,Gosh!
Talento ,creatividad,melodia,ritmoetc; Pero sobre todo humildad es lo que caracteriza a este gran musico
El mejor o no,es lo de menos,sin duda hay otros mas grandes o mas pequeños que el.
Salud para ti Abraham ,para tu hermano Johnny ,tremendo cantante y para toda tufamilia en general..
well! wow!!!! always in my book he is just simply the best ooooooooooo yea
NICE MEN... UR MY INSPIRATION IN PLAYING A BASS 4 GOD GLORY...GODBLESS
@heitorcrespo Abe's parents were Garifuna; he was born in some Central American country, I believe.
He studied flamenco guitar technique prior to learning the bass. There's no doubt that you could hear some "Southern Hemisphere" in there, whether it's Brazilian, Caribbean ... Abe's roots often come out, because he's the genuine article, and he plays from his heart and soul.
Abe does play on Ritenour's Rio album, on songs Ipanema Sol and It Happens Every Day. Koinonia's album More than a Feeling contains some great solos by Abe. Its hard to find an album he's not played on.
Extremely groovy! Amazing performance!:D
MUCH more than an inspiration!
this song is so dope wit it
hahaha i've never heard of this guy before, but i love the feeling he puts into his bass. his facial expressions are a nice comic touch too, very smooth playing indeed.
no solamente lo que toca es impresionante , si no como baila y disfruta al mismo tiempo un genio
Love the tone
that was nasty!!! I love his stage presence. THe way he dances around and just grooves with te tune is an awesome inspiration. Im Mexicano and I play bass. Its kinda funny how when I look at his playing style as apposed to say...Victors or M Millers, I see similarities in my own style when i see Abe play. Anyways great preformance
Esse ai é o kra
hj ele deve estar com uns 80 anos né
msmo velho ele ainda é o melhor
god bless!
Mestre... minha maior influência, grande ser humano, só quem já teve a oportunidade de estar próximo sabe.
beautiful
I love when he does the slap triplets..
Amazing .....
i love this man
very interesting tone
incredible bass playing:)
brilliant!!!
incredibly hilarious, i thought the same thing too, i just couldnt quite figure out what it was that i was thinking, good one bro
the 'some famous song' is Laura. Check out Charlie Parker's (w strings) version sometime. Abe is amazing!
You know, Stanley Clark, Marcus and Wooten are master bassists but somehow, Abe Laboriel is more than a master - he is a seasoned master. His solos are more than show-off, they have some sweetness to them ! The way he plays, the way he moves with the music, 1:55 - 2:01 .. unparalleled !
Abe is not from this planet, he is light years above all the rest. Amazing!
Excellent observation.
The great man.
This man is the Bhut Jolokia of the Bass! This groove would make a whole club of people dance.
He is a Christian and has spent much of his time recording and touring with other Christian Musicians. He also has recorded his own jazz band "Koinonia". I doubt that there are very many other bass players alive today that are as versatile as Abe Laboriel. Is he the best? Who could answer that, as there are so many great bass players out there. Is he one of the best, I would say, without a doubt. He is definitely one the most entertaining musicians you will ever watch play.
this man is my hero! :D
Abe rules.
THE BEST BASSIST PERIOD!!!!!
I photographed Abe on 4/28/1981 at a club in North Hollywood (I believe) and would like to contact him to return to him my negatives.
Good groove.
He is having a good time. :)
Now that sounds sweet.
Sweet looking bass.
1:08 Damn!
The song is
"Laura" by David Raksin
wow..!!!! O.M.G...!!!
Bueno, el nombre del tema es LAURA... Y Abe lo interpreta exquisito.
maestroooooo!!!!
maravilhoso muito obrigado!
At the beginning he's playing the head (melody) of the song "Laura" - then he goes into the solo. At 4:12 he goes back into the melody again and finishes it. It's that simple :-)
Ves mas gente alrededor tocando con el? ESO ES UN SOLO, ahora es distinto a que estes acostumbrado a ver todos esos wootens, millers, etc.
Sin duda su inspiracion es Dios...no cabe duda de eso dema bueno este Man
It's a solo. He is supposed to"over do it". Absolutely gifted. God workin.
i love this, even though it's not the best sounding bass.. its great
Really classy playing from a classy guy!
Remember "Avenging Annie"? Amazing tune and of course bass by......
I just found out that the song Laura was originally recorded by Charlie Parker... I don't know if everyone else new that. Still, Abe's take on the song is refreshing and altogether very groovy (although that word doesn't even describe half of it)
Whether its Ritenour's Rio Funk, or Koinonia's Valentine, or Herb Alpert's Rise, Abe is the man, a monster of the bass guitar. Hell, his bass line for the song Rise has reached messianic status amongst the hip-hopster-gangsta rapper crowd. The man is the best.
no worries, jus thought i'd mention it. and yea, Abe is friggin' awesome, pity he's not more famous tbh.
I'm pretty sure Marcus Miller played the bassline to rio funk... I know Abe was on the album Rio as well, but if you listen it's definitely a more Marcus-esque bass sound, though before he had the active shadowsky pre-amp in his J-bass.
Nice job overall. I love his right hand technique.
@NPjazzsaxmusic
Yes. Thanks for pointing that out, appreciate it are so right, my apologies to all. I've just consulted the back of the Rio album, and you are quite correct. Oh well, but hey , it is a great solo nonetheless eh?