Nathan Watts

Nathan Lamar Watts, born on March 25, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, is a highly regarded American session bassist, celebrated primarily for his extensive collaboration with the legendary Stevie Wonder since the 1970s. In addition to his role as a bassist, Watts has been serving as Wonder’s musical director since 1994, guiding the artistic direction of the iconic musician's performances.

Watts' musical journey began in elementary school when he was inspired to play the trumpet by jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan. He was part of a trio alongside future session legends Ray Parker Jr. and drummer Ollie Brown. This early exposure led him to Motown's famed Hitsville Studios, where he witnessed the magic of The Funk Brothers firsthand. After Parker transitioned to guitar, he encouraged Watts to switch to bass, leading to a pivotal moment in his career upon graduating high school in 1972. Armed with a National Bass, Watts learned to play by ear, mastering the techniques of bass greats like James Jamerson and Chuck Rainey.

His big break came in August 1974 when he was invited to join Stevie Wonder's band, stepping in for Reggie McBride. Despite having only two years of experience on the bass, Watts quickly became integral to Wonder's sound, contributing to landmark albums such as "Songs in the Key of Life." Notably, some of his bass lines were replaced by Wonder's keyboard bass in the final versions of tracks like “Knocks Me Off My Feet” and “Isn't She Lovely.” Throughout his illustrious career, Nathan Watts has continued to shine, collaborating with a diverse array of artists while solidifying his reputation as a master bassist.