Bass player Nathan East has had a long and storied career, one that has spanned over five decades and counting.
Since graduating from UC San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in music in 1978, he’s worked with a plethora of artists and musicians, including superstars who are household names, such as Michael Jackson, Phil Collins and Herbie Hancock. There’s even two former Beatles in the bunch, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
And on Saturday, Aug. 1, at UCSD’s amphitheater he, along with three other fellow musicians, will pay homage to one of East’s favorite artists, his good friend and collaborator, Eric Clapton. They’ll perform as Cream of Clapton, a tribute band playing some of the most popular songs from Clapton’s lengthy solo career and from his time with the band Cream in the 1960s.
Those playing with East include legendary drummer Steve Ferrone, a native of England who at age 76 is still going strong. Like East, Ferrone has worked with a who’s who of the music industry, including Collins, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, Rick James, Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, Johnny Cash and many others.
“Steve and I go back more than four decades together to the early ’80s,” East, 70, told Times of San Diego during a recent interview. “I would say he’s one of my favorite drummers and favorite people.”
The other two musicians set to play at the UCSD performance are guitarist Will Johns — who happens to be Clapton’s nephew — and Nathan East’s son, pianist Noah East.
“I (first) met Will when he was a youngster over (at) Eric Clapton’s house way back in the day,” Nathan East said. “He might have been four or five years old when I met him. He grew up in such a musical environment.”
As far as Noah East, he and his father have a history performing together, and the two even released a contemporary jazz album called “Father Son” in April 2025, the same month that Nathan was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the 35th Annual San Diego Music Awards.
“I have to credit him with really becoming one of my favorite musicians; he just developed so quickly and beautifully, has perfect pitch and all of his instincts I respect. His musicianship is one that I really just enjoy playing together,” East said of his offspring.
“For me, it’s surreal to stand on stage and look over at my son, and to (be) making music with a guy who really brings so much to the table,” he added.
The quartet will perform selections from Clapton’s live albums “Unplugged” and “24 Nights” at the 2,650-seat Epstein Family Amphitheater, located on UCSD’s campus in La Jolla. “Unplugged,” released in 1992, represented Clapton’s commercial peak; it sold 26 million copies worldwide, the best-selling live album ever, and won three Grammy awards.
“Eric is a guy that is easy to pay tribute to,” East said. “The music catalog is so strong.”
The Cream of Clapton band, which was originally co-founded by Noah East and Johns, has periodically toured and played concerts around the globe. East said that Clapton himself knows about the band, but hasn’t yet been able to see it perform live.
“He gave the band his blessing a couple of years ago,” East said of the singer-guitarist, who turned 81 in March. “He’s happy with them paying tribute to him and keeping his legacy alive.”
East said that although much of Clapton’s best material was recorded decades ago, the fact that it’s still popular and continues to be performed live today is a testament to its staying power.
“It just goes to show you the quality and the longevity of that music,” he said. “I can remember being a teenager in my bedroom with the lights off with the black light poster of Cream and listening to those songs like ‘Sunshine of Your Love.’ Of course, being a bass player, I love those bass lines and getting inside the music.
“And I think it’s just great music coming from somebody that really plays from the heart.”
Tickets: $35-$80, available at ucsd.evenue.net/event/AP27/AP0801
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