34th annual San Diego Music Awards Country Dick Montana
Lifetime Achievement Award

Grammy-nominated bassist Nathan East, credited on over 2,000 recordings, is recognized as one of the most recorded musicians in history. A founding member of the contemporary jazz supergroup Fourplay—alongside Bob James, Lee Ritenour, and Harvey Mason—East has forged an unparalleled career collaborating with notable music legends such as Eric Clapton, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, B.B. King, Barry White, Michael Jackson, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Barbra Streisand, Al Jarreau, Kenny Loggins, Anita Baker, Joe Walsh, Shania Twain, Sully and Daft Punk. East’s iconic bass line drives Daft Punk’s Grammy-winning hit “Get Lucky.”

As a songwriter, East co-wrote the chart-topping hit “Easy Lover” with Phil Collins and Philip Bailey, earning an MTV Video Music Award, ASCAP Songwriter’s Award and Britain’s prestigious Ivor Novello Award.

In 2014, East released his debut solo album under Yamaha Entertainment Group, which soared to #1 on the Billboard Jazz Charts and garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. His second solo album, Reverence (2017), also reached #1 on the Billboard Jazz and Contemporary Jazz charts.

A native of Southeast San Diego, East attended Saint Rita’s School (K–6), Horace Mann Junior High, and Crawford High School. He graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and was honored by the United States Congress with a Congressional Record for his contributions to the global music community.

The San Diego Music Awards is proud to present the 2025 Country Dick Montana Lifetime Achievement Award to Nathan East.