Legendary Bassist Visits

7/30/2010

Nathan Watts, the legendary bassist for Stevie Wonder since the 1970's, played for students in the Horizons program at The Harley School.

Children in the Horizons program heard Watts play and ask him questions during his half-hour visit with third, fourth, and fifth graders.

Watts was featured on the cover of Bass Player magazine in June. He was born in Detroit and raised an only child on the city’s west side. He has been Stevie Wonder’s sideman and musical director for more than three decades.

Earlier this year, Watts received the International Bassist Award, sponsored by Samson, Hartke and Zoom.

The Horizons program is a six-week summer enrichment program that offers academic, cultural, and recreational activities for 130 income-eligible Rochester City students in grades K-8. Studies have shown that students engaged in quality summer enrichment programs can overcome the learning loss that typically occurs in the summer months. Ninety-five percent of Horizons graduates have completed high school and attend college. Participants from the first year of the Horizons Program at The Harley School have completed high school and are currently in college. www.horizonsatharley.com.

The House of Guitars loaned Watts a bass for his visit.

For more information on Nathan Watts, visit http://natewatts.com.