Abraham Laboriel


Abraham Laboriel López is a Mexican-American bassist who has played on over 4,000 recordings and soundtracks. Guitar Player magazine called him "the most widely used session bassist of our time". Laboriel is the father of drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. and of producer, songwriter, and film composer Mateo Laboriel. He is ranked No. 42 on Bass Player magazine's list of "The 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time".
Laboriel was born in Mexico City. His brother was Mexican rock singer Johnny Laboriel. Their parents were Garifuna immigrants from Honduras. A classically trained guitarist, he switched to bass guitar while studying at the Berklee College of Music. Henry Mancini encouraged Laboriel to move to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a recording career.
Laboriel has worked with Al Jarreau, George Benson, Alan Silvestri, Alvaro Lopez and Res-Q Band, Alvin Slaughter, Don Felder, Andraé Crouch, Andy Pratt, Andy Summers, Barbra Streisand, Billy Cobham, Chris Isaak, Christopher Cross, Crystal Lewis, Dave Grusin, Djavan, Dolly Parton, Don Moen, Donald Fagen, Elton John, Engelbert Humperdinck, Freddie Hubbard, Phil Driscoll, Hanson, Herb Alpert, Herbie Hancock, Johnny Hallyday, Keith Green, Kelly Willard, Lalo Schifrin, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Leo Sayer, Lisa Loeb, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Nathan Davis, Paul Jackson Jr., Paul Simon, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Luis Miguel, Ron Kenoly, Russ Taff, Stevie Wonder, Umberto Tozzi, Randy Crawford and DeBarge.
Laboriel was a founding member of the bands Friendship and Koinonia. With the latter he recorded four albums.
In addition Laboriel recorded several solo albums on which he recruited a cast of musicians that included Alex Acuña, Al Jarreau, Jim Keltner, Phillip Bailey, Ron Kenoly, and others. His son Abe Laboriel Jr. played drums.
In 2005, Abraham was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the Berklee College of Music.
Laboriel is now in the band Open Hands with Justo Almario, Greg Mathieson, and Bill Maxwell.

Discography

With Koinonia
With Justo Almario
With George Benson
With George Cables
With Larry Carlton
With Andraé Crouch
With Phil Driscoll
With Michael Giacchino
With Dave Grusin
With Al Jarreau
With Ron Kenoly
With Henry Mancini
With Don Moen
With Al Jarreau and George Benson
With Lee Ritenour
With others