One of the world's leading bass guitarist, Nathan has recorded, performed and written songs with many fine artist, including Eric, Elton John, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Quincy Jones and Sting. Nathan was born 8 December 1955 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He and his family moved to San Diego, California when he was four years old. East's musical education began in seventh grade when he began studying cello. He switched to bass at age 14. East graduated from the University of California / San Diego with a degree in music. With Phil Collins and Philip Bailey, he co-wrote the chart-topping song "Easy Lover". Nathan has appeared on hundreds of albums and in numerous Grammy-award winning performances including Eric's MTV Unplugged and his 1997 Song of the Year "Change The World". He was also co-founder of the group Fourplay (signed to Warner Bros), with Bob James (piano), Lee Ritenour (guitar) and Harvey Mason (drums), whose Grammy-nominated albums have earned Gold status and continue to top Billboard's Contemporary Jazz charts. His outstanding contribution to popular music has been recognized with distinctions that include Britain's Ivor Novello Award, ASCAP Awards for songwriting, NARAS Most Valuable Player for several successive years and MVP at the International Rock Awards. Recently, Nathan has developed his own Signature Series bass guitar for Yamaha.

Steve Gadd was born in Rochester, New York, April 9, 1945. Steve's Uncle, a drummer in the army, encouraged him to take drum lessons at the age of seven; by the time Steve was 11 he had sat in with Dizzy Gillespie. Studied music at Eastman College, Rochester, playing in wind ensemble and concert band, and at nights in a club with Chick Corea, Chuck Mangione, Joe Romano and Frank Pullara. After college, drafted into army and spent three years in a military band. After the army, gigged and worked with a big band in Rochester. 1972, formed a trio with Tony Levin and Mike Holmes, going to New York with it. The trio fizzled out, but Gadd began to work extensively as a studio musician. He also played with Corea's first Return to Forever. 1970's and 1980's, toured internationally, recorded with Paul Simon and with Al DiMeola's Electric Rendezvous Band. By the end of the 1970's Gadd was the most in-demand and probably the most imitated drummer in the world. In Japan transcriptions of his solos were on sale, and all the leading Japanese drummers were sounding like him. Chick Corea commented, "Every drummer wants to play like Gadd because he plays perfect . . . He has brought orchestral and compositional thinking to the drum kit while at the same time having a great imagination and a great ability to swing." Gadd's favorites are Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, among others.

A dynamic percussionist, an innovative composer and a qualified producer, Paulinho's musical versatility is also well demonstrated on his four solo albums - 'Agora', 'Happy People', 'Sunrise' and 'Breakdown'. Though his prolific career Paulinho has been involved with some of the decade's best selling projects, including the record breaking 'Thriller', the landmark recording 'We Are The World' and the percussion dominated successes of 'All Night Long' and 'La Isla Bonita'. However, not only has Da Costa made a profound impact within the record industry, his talents are proudly recognized in both film and television. His credits range from the Oscar-nominated motion picture 'The Colour Purple' to box office hits like 'Saturday Night Fever', 'The Wiz', 'Footloose' and 'Coming To America'. In recognition of his incredible talent, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presented Paulinho with its "Most Valuable Player Award" for three consecutive years and the honorary "Musicians Emeritus Award." His skills have provoked the Los Angeles Times to describe him "a virtuoso on percussion" and Downbeat Magazine to label him "one of the most talented percussionists of our time."

David Sancious' first exposure to the music industry came about as an original member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Since that time he has performed in a variety of settings. On keyboards and guitars, and as composer and producer, he has recorded and toured with some of the most notable talent in the music industry: Bruce Springsteen, Santana, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Natalie Merchant and Youssou N'dour.

Kissoon began singing at an early age. Her first group was Mac and Katie, which she formed with her brother. A successful vocalist, she has worked with Van Morrison, Roger Waters, Mike & The Mechanics, Annie Lennox, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Chris Rea, Take That, Jamiroquai, Tom Jones, Elton John, and Pete Townshend. During the summer of 1999, she and Andy Fairweather-Low toured with Roger Waters. Kissoon first worked with Clapton on studio sessions for Roger Waters in August 1983. She began a long association with Clapton's touring and recording bands in 1986 — the only exception being the blues tour and album of 1994-1995. She can be heard on August, Journeyman, Unplugged, 24 Nights and Pilgrim.

Niles began her professional singing career in 1979. In the ensuing years, she has worked with a wide variety of artists including Kiri Te Kanawa, The Rolling Stones, Annie Lennox, Duran Duran, Kylie Minogue, David Bowie, The Police, Take That, Grace Jones, Tina Turner, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Cliff Richard, Mike & The Mechanics, Zucchero, Status Quo, and Cher. Niles's association with Clapton began with the August album. She has toured with Clapton from 1988 to April 1992, in October 1997 and the 1999 Japan Tour. Niles also appeared at the Crossroads Benefit Concert on 30 June 1999. She can be heard on August, Journeyman, Unplugged, and 24 Nights. Jamie Oldaker

An integral part of the Average White Band from 1974, Ferrone is much in demand as a session drummer. He has worked with The BeeGees, Peter Frampton, Freddie King, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Pat Metheny, Marcus Miller, George Benson, and Duran Duran among others. Between 1985 and 1986, he was the drummer for the Saturday Night Live house band (NBC-TV, U.S.). Ferrone first played with Clapton's band in 1986 at The Ritz in New York City. He stayed with the band until 1992. Ferrone can be heard on Unplugged and 24 Nights.

Cooper was born in Hertfordshire, England and raised in London. He studied classical piano for 12 years, before a desire to compose lead him to strings and woodwinds. Later, he studied percussion. He is one of the world's top percussionists, having worked with Maynard Ferguson, Cleo Laine, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Harry Nilsson, Carly Simon, America, Elton John (starting in 1974), George Harrison (producing Somewhere In England), Mark Knopfler, and many others. Cooper and Clapton worked together on the ARMS Tour in 1983. He also toured with Clapton extensively between 1988 and 1992, but played on sessions from 1984. They would both contribute to George Harrison's Cloud 9. Cooper appears on Behind The Sun, 24 Nights, and Unplugged. Recently, he scored the film Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas with Tomayasu Hatei. Richard Cousins.

In addition to playing keyboards, Carmon is also a drummer, vocalist, and producer. He is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of Arts. A few of the artists he has worked with include Mary J. Blige, Babyface, Gladys Knight, Kenny Lattimore, Vibe, and Eric Bennet. He worked with Clapton on MTV's Babyface Unplugged and joined Clapton's touring band in 1998.

Bronze has been a professional musician since 1976 — he worked with Robin Trower for six years, the last two as lead vocalist. He has written and produced albums for Dr. Feelgood and has also composed with Trower and Mike Vernon. Bronze has also worked with Procul Harum and has toured with Paul Carrack (Mike and the Mechanics) and Brian Ferry. In the late '80s, he worked with Clapton at a number of charity concerts. Dave Bronze signed on as Clapton's bassist in 1994, 1995, and 1996. He can be heard on From The Cradle.

Stainton, an accomplished keyboardist, was an integral part of Joe Cocker's Greaseband between 1966 and 1972. Throughout the '70s, he played with a number of bands. In 1980, he signed on with Clapton for the Just One Night Tour and remained a part of the band until 1988 when he returned to work with Cocker. Stainton toured and recorded with Clapton again from 1993 to 1997. He still tours and records with Cocker. He can be heard on Just One Night, Another Ticket, Money & Cigarettes, Behind The Sun, From The Cradle, and Pilgrim.

Portnoy was born in Chicago, Illinois in November 1943. He began his musical career in the late '60s. Between 1974 and 1979, he played harmonica in the Muddy Waters Blues Band. During the next six years, he became a founding member of the Legendary Blues Band. He also was a member of The Broadcasters. Portnoy released his first solo album in 1991. Over the years, he has worked with such artists as Dan Akroyd, John Belushi, Gregg Allman, Larry Coryell, The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie King, Albert King, and B.B. King. He first played with Clapton during the Albert Hall Blues Nights in 1991. He toured extensively with Clapton between 1994 and 1996 and can be heard on 24 Nights and From The Cradle.

Darby is a graduate of Edinburgh University and the Berklee School Of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where he studied jazz guitar. In addition to a solo career, he has worked as a touring session player with Van Morrison, Robert Palmer, Asia, Alannah Myles, Bonnie Tyler, and Neneh Cherry. Darby also writes music for advertisements and film. He has played with Clapton at a number of small private gigs and joined Clapton's band for the 1998 Pilgrim Tour. He is currently the musical director of a UK TV show and appeared with Paul McCartney on UK TV in late 1999.

A professional keyboardist since age 15, Crouch has recorded with artists as diverse as The Temptations, Lenny Kravitz, Toni Braxton, and Vanessa Williams. He joined up with Clapton in 1998 for the Pilgrim Tour. Crouch first worked with Clapton at the taping for Babyface Unplugged in September 1997.

Delhomme was born on March 15, 1967. In the late 1980s, he attended the Berklee School Of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. A keyboardist, he has worked primarily with jazz artists, including Patti Austin, Walter Beasley, Joe Sample, George Duke, Al Jarreau, Dizzy Gillespie, David Sanborn, Lalah Hathaway, and Marcus Miller. A member of the Skinny Jones Project, Delhomme first appeared with Clapton at the Crossroads Benefit Concert at Madison Square Garden on 30 June 1999. He also joined the band for the November 1999 Japan Tour.

A founding member of the 1970s band, Sealevel, Leavell came to prominence when he joined the Allman Brothers Band as their pianist. He joined up with the Rolling Stones in 1982 and was introduced to Clapton by Keith Richards' guitar technician, Allan Rogun. Leavell first played with Clapton at Chuck Berry's 60th Birthday Party. Leavell toured with Clapton in 1991 and 1992. He can be heard on both 24 Nights and Unplugged. In 1998, he hit the road again with the Rolling Stones

Much in demand as a session / touring musician, Phillinganes has worked with a variety of musicians including Babyface and Lionel Ritchie. He toured as Clapton's keyboardist between 1986 and 1990. He can be heard on Behind The Sun, August, Journeyman, 24 Nights, and Pilgrim. Phillinganes has also co-written some songs with Clapton. He can also be heard performing with Lionel Ritchie on "Tonight Will Be Alright" from the latter's Dancing On The Ceiling album.