Abraham Laboriel, bass

Born: July 17, 1947 in Mexico City, Mexico

Introduced to music: by his father, a composer and guitarist

Early success: first recording at the age of 10 with the group Los Traviesos

Education: Bachelor of Music in composition from the Berklee College of Music, Boston

Performed/recorded with: George Benson, Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, Herbie Hancock, Diane Schuur, Sara Vaughan, Al Jarreau, lalo Shifrin, Ernie Watts, Alex Acuña, and others

Awards and honours: named “Most Valuable Bass Player” three years in a row by the Los Angeles chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences

Currently: a member of KOINONIA, a band which he founded