Abraham Laboriel

Abraham Laboriel López (born July 17, 1947) is a Mexican-American bassist who has played on over 4,000 recordings and soundtracks.^[1] Guitar Player magazine called him "the most widely used session bassist of our time".^[2][3] Laboriel is the father of drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. and of producer, songwriter, and film composer Mateo Laboriel.

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Abraham Laboriel Sr.
Laboriel performing in 1994
Background information
Birth name	Abraham Laboriel López
Born	(1947-07-17) July 17, 1947 (age 77) Mexico City, Mexico
Occupation	Musician
Instrument	Bass guitar

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Laboriel was born in Mexico City. His brother was Mexican rock singer Johnny Laboriel,^[4] and his sister is Mexican singer, film and television actress Ella Laboriel. Their parents were Garifuna immigrants from Honduras.^[5] The family was devoutly Catholic.^[6] His father Juan José Laboriel started as a cab driver but in the 1920s became an integral part of the entertainment business in Mexico as a founding member of the actors', musicians', composers' and film workers' associations, eventually becoming involved in over 200 films in various capacities.

Abraham received classical training as a guitarist, but he switched to bass guitar while studying at the Berklee College of Music, graduating in 1972. During this time, he learned the importance of versatility as a musician.^[7]

Henry Mancini encouraged Laboriel to move to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a recording career,^[8] which he did in 1976. He struggled to find work for two years, before finding his first gig on a road tour with Olivia Newton-John. After a consequent European tour with Al Jarreau, Laboriel settled into a full-time studio career in Los Angeles.^[7]

Laboriel has also worked with Alan Silvestri, Alvaro Lopez and Res-Q Band, Alvin Slaughter, Andraé Crouch, Andy Pratt, Andy Summers, Barbra Streisand, Billy Cobham, Chris Isaak, Christopher Cross, Crystal Lewis, Dave Grusin, DeBarge, Djavan, Dolly Parton, Don Felder, Don Moen, Donald Fagen, Dori Caymmi, Elton John, Engelbert Humperdinck, Freddie Hubbard, George Benson, Hanson, Herb Alpert, Herbie Hancock, Johnny Hallyday, Keith Green, Kelly Willard, Lalo Schifrin, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Leo Sayer, Lisa Loeb, Luis Miguel, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Nathan Davis, Paul Jackson Jr., Paul Simon, Phil Driscoll, Quincy Jones, Randy Crawford, Ray Charles, Ron Kenoly, Russ Taff, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Smith and Umberto Tozzi.

Laboriel was a founding member of the bands Friendship and Koinonia. With the latter, he recorded four albums.

In addition, he has 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., a professional drummer, has played on some of the recordings.

Laboriel is member of the band Open Hands with Justo Almario, Greg Mathieson, and Bill Maxwell.

In 2005, Abraham was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the Berklee College of Music,^[9] his alma mater.

He is ranked No. 42 on Bass Player magazine's list of "The 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time".^[10]

• 1993 Dear Friends
• 1994 Guidum
• 1995 Justo Almario & Abraham Laboriel
• 2001 Laboriel Mathieson
• 2005 Live in Switzerland