This Saturday, catch Nathan and Noah East’s performance at the Festival of Arts, accompanied by Donald Barrett on drums, James East on bass, and special guest guitarist Michael Thompson.

About Nathan & Noah East

Nathan East, a founding member of the chart-topping contemporary jazz group Fourplay, embarked on his musical journey at just 16, touring and recording with Barry White. The doors kept opening, as Quincy Jones reached out next, leading to four decades of hit-making collaborations with artists such as Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Anita Baker, Lionel Richie, and many more.

In 2014, East released his Grammy-nominated solo album “Nathan East,” featuring luminaries like Michael McDonald, Sara Bareilles, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder and notably, a duet with his son, Noah.

Noah East, who has been playing piano since age 5 when his father discovered that he had perfect pitch, has recently graduated from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. Noah and Nathan are currently in the studio working on new music for a father-son duo album.

About Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson is an accomplished American guitarist and songwriter recognized for his extensive session work spanning four decades. He emerged from early years studying at Berklee College of Music and touring with various groups before settling in Los Angeles. Thompson’s journey saw him supporting his music career by driving cabs and undertaking sporadic session work. He achieved prominence as a studio musician, contributing to notable projects, including Cher’s world tour. He gained further recognition with The Michael Thompson Band, releasing the album “How Long” in 1989, which featured notable musicians like Bobby Kimball and John Elefante. Thompson’s skills were sought after by industry icons such as Quincy Jones, David Foster, and Babyface, and he became renowned for his guitar artistry. His extensive credits range from collaborating with Michael Jackson to working on film scores for Hans Zimmer and more. Thompson’s musical prowess and collaborative spirit have solidified his status as a respected session musician, earning him accolades such as Berklee College of Music’s “Distinguished Alumni” award.