Stanley Clarke (born June 30, 1951) is an American bassist, composer and founding member of Return to Forever, one of the first jazz fusion bands. Clarke gave the bass guitar a prominence it lacked in jazz-related music. He is the first jazz-fusion bassist to headline tours, sell out shows worldwide and have recordings reach gold status.
Clarke is the recipient of five Grammy Awards, with 15 nominations, three as a solo artist, one with the Stanley Clarke Band, and one with Return to Forever. Clarke was selected to become a 2022 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship.
A Stanley Clarke electric bass is permanently on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
Tap on any album for track list.
Explore the custom Lieber Spider Grinder Folk Bass built for Stanley Clarke’s 70th birthday, featuring carbon fiber construction, ornate inlays, and Fishman electronics.
Stanley Clarke has revealed new details about his upcoming album Last Train to Sanity, a February release pairing new music with reimagined classics.
Stanley Clarke *N* 4EVER and bassist Ben Williams will perform at NJPAC on Nov 9 as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.
Bass legend Stanley Clarke performs at NPR’s Tiny Desk, highlighting his upright and Alembic bass work in a dynamic, genre-spanning set.
Stanley Clarke’s 2025 tour with 4Ever spans the U.S. and Europe, offering fans a chance to hear new arrangements and a dynamic new band lineup.
