Abraham Laboriel stands as a towering figure in the world of bass guitar, celebrated for his extraordinary versatility and prolific career. Born and raised in Mexico City, his musical journey began under the tutelage of his Honduran father, a composer and guitarist. This early foundation paved the way for Laboriel to become one of the most recorded and respected bassists in modern music history.
Laboriel’s career took flight as a founding member of groundbreaking jazz ensembles. He co-founded Friendship with jazz luminaries Ernie Watts, Lee Ritenour, and Alex Acuna, and Koinonia, alongside Justo Almario and Alex Acuna. These groups showcased his exceptional jazz bass skills and launched him into collaborations with an astounding array of jazz icons. His discography boasts names like Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves, George Benson, Larry Carlton, Dave Grusin, Ella Fitzgerald, Herbie Hancock, Joe Lovano, Manhattan Transfer, Joe Sample, The Crusaders, Kirk Whalum, and Joe Williams, solidifying his status as a sought-after jazz bass player.
Beyond the realm of jazz, Abraham Laboriel’s bass guitar resonated across diverse genres. He became a first-call session musician for legendary artists spanning pop, rock, and Latin music. Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, Clint Black, Henry Mancini, Burt Bachrach, Herb Alpert, Barbra Streisand, and Placido Domingo are just a few names from his extensive list of collaborators. His mastery of Latin rhythms and melodies further cemented his place in the Latin music industry, working with giants like Ruben Blades, Julio Iglesias, Paco de Lucia, Roberto Carlos, Luis Miguel, Ricardo Arjona, Ana Gabriel, Juan Gabriel, Jose Jose, Café Quijano, Armando Manzanero, Dori Caymmi, Djavan, Gilberto Gil, Joao Gilberto, Ivan Lins, Patricia Sosa, and Marco Antonio Solis.
Laboriel’s bass guitar has also graced countless movie soundtracks, adding depth and emotion to cinematic masterpieces. From classics like “Tootsie” and “Terms of Endearment” to modern blockbusters such as “Forrest Gump”, “The Incredibles”, “Ratatouille”, “MI4”, and “Frozen”, his bass lines are instantly recognizable. He is also the bassist behind the iconic theme song of the popular TV series “Hawaii 5-0”.
Furthermore, Abraham Laboriel’s influence extends into gospel and worship music. His bass guitar work is featured on some of the most beloved recordings in these genres, collaborating with artists such as Andrae Crouch, Take Six, Keith Green, Second Chapter of Acts, Phil Driscoll, The Imperials, and Chuck Girard. He played on the early albums of The Winans, Bebe and Cece Winans, Donnie McClurkin, and Helen Baylor, and contributed to the pioneering Integrity Music worship series with Ron Kenoly, Alvin Slaughter, and Don Moen. He has also partnered with Spanish worship leader Marcos Vidal.
In addition to his performance and recording career, Abraham Laboriel is a passionate educator, sharing his expertise and insights with aspiring musicians. He has served as a visiting professor at Berklee College of Music and the University of Pittsburgh, and frequently teaches at churches like Saddleback and Willow Creek Community Churches. Currently, he channels his creative energy into his band, Open Hands, featuring Justo Almario, Greg Mathieson, and Bill Maxwell, continuing to innovate and inspire with his exceptional bass guitar artistry.
