Bassist and composer Stanley Clarke was born on June 30, 1951 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As a child, he first picked up the bass because he was late to school on the day that instruments were handed out in music class. Bass was one of the few options left.

As an adult, he moved to New York, where he played with bandleaders and musicians who included Chick Corea, Stan Getz, Dave Brubeck, and Horace Silver.

His solo album “School Days” is hailed as one of the most profound influences on the jazz fusion style.

He joined pianist Chick Corea’s band “Return to Forever” which grew to become accepted as one of the most important and influential jazz fusion groups.

In the 1980s Clarke began to focus much of his time on composing scores for television and film and currently continues to tour and perform.

Stanley Clarke performs a bass solo with piano accompaniment at the 1977 Montreux Jazz Festival.