Biography

World class virtuoso bass player, singer, songwriter and producer, Fernando Saunders came to international prominence as one of the core players with pop, funk, dance artist, Hamilton Bohannon, and then as a key member of the pioneering rock/jazz ensemble, The Jeff Beck/Jan Hammer Group. In the early '80s, Saunders started long-term collaborations as a player, producer and co-songwriter, with the esteemed urban rockers Lou Reed and Marianne Faithfull.
Saunders third solo album “I Will Break Your Fall “ received critical acclaim, Rolling Stone Magazine says it's "an album of beautifully crafted pop songs and ballads that tug at the will love the two instrumental jams "Bass Talk" and "Live in Spain" which take the listener on a musical journey from improvisational jazz to funk to Latin inspired rock while showcasing Saunders mastery on bass. Kevin Hearn (Barenaked Ladies) is featured on piano on the Marianne Faithfull duet "Backstreet Girl.” With a musician of this caliber you expect a high level of musicianship; however, Saunders also has a beautiful smooth and soulful singing voice while his lyrics (many of the songs inspired by 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina) will touch your heart. He grew up surrounded by music singing in church and living blocks away from Motown Records in Detroit, Michigan in it’s heyday. It was a time when music programs were a priority in schools so he was free to explore many different instruments. Trumpet was Saunders first instrument at 7 years old and then he went through many instruments like cello, drums, guitar, other wind instruments, singing and eventually bass at 13. At age 16 Saunders joined Bohannon contributing to r&b/funk/disco hits including "Foot Stompin' Music" , ‪"South African Man"‬ , “Disco Stomp” and "Keep On Dancin" which continue to be sampled in many of today's top club hits. Choosing education over instant success, Saunders left Bohannon to work with famed jazz organist Larry Young in New York. Larry Young died shortly afterwards, however, the music they made is being sampled in the hip hop world including "Turn Off The Lights" in Salt N Pepa's "Say Ooh." Saunders became an in demand musician joining Jan Hammer, who soon after hooked up with Jeff Beck for the Jeff Beck/Jan Hammer Group. When I was teenager, my big dream was to play with Jan & Jeff, and 2 years later, I was on tour with the both of them at the same time," recalls Saunders. "I played guitar, keyboards, vocal, as well as bass in the live shows and studio recordings." In the early 1980's, Saunders worked with Lou Reed on acclaimed albums such as The Blue Mask, Legendary Hearts, New Sensations and Mistrial. "He opened up the doors to me of a new and different approach to lyrics and melodies " says Saunders, "I started seeing his lyrics as movies. He gave me freedom to express myself Lou Reed also like my approach to playing bass together with vocals." The relationship continue until the passing of Lou Reed “ R.I.P” Saunders co-wrote and produced Reed's album Animal Serenade and performed on the Berlin Tour with a featured vocal. The Berlin Tour was featured in a documentary that debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival and shown at SXSW.
Saunders spent considerable time working with Marianne Faithfull over the years and five songs he produced for her were selected for 1998's A Perfect Stranger The Island Anthology, the title “A Perfect Stranger” was co-written by Marianne Faithfull & Fernando Saunders which was the album single. You can also catch him in her 2005's Live In Hollywood DVD. During his career Saunders traveled the world recording and performing with music legends Joan Baez, Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Joe Cocker, Slash, Heart, Pat Benatar, Tori Amos, Kip Hanrahan, John McLaughlin and even Pavarotti. Saunders recalls "at first the rock artists wanted me involved because of my r&b and jazz background, but then after years in rock the r&b and jazz, artists wanted me for my rock experience." Saunders has recorded and produced four critically acclaimed solo albums which showcases Fernando Saunders as a vocalist as well as a Multi-instrumentalist , “Cashmere Dreams (Grudge/BMG), featuring “ TOTO ” on two songs “ Love is Blind & Lets talk about “ also co-write with Lou Reed “ Opposite Attract “ The Spin (A&M) I Will Break Your Fall (Sony Red ) Summit!music) released in 2007 in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia & Japan ( Rolling Stone ) Magazine says it’s an album of beautifully crafted pop songs and ballads that tug at the heart strings. The duet with Lou Reed (Baton Rouge) is achingly beautiful! The album also includes a duet with Marianne Faithfull (Backstreet.Girl). One of Fernando Saunders’ recent album “ Plant A Seed, “ recorded in New York, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, is a beautiful blend of r&b, pop, rock, and folklore, His unique voice, very soulful, tells stories of Life’s ups and downs, hopes, and that all things in life that must end … but the act of planting seeds can give rise to a new beginning. Note the dynamic sound of traditional Balkans instruments perform by “Alen Esena Ruvic-Ruvex “ in the songs “The Soul”, “Delusion", “Faith”, “Hello” and "Wave Your Hand", featuring the beautiful violin of violinist Peter Krajniak whom was once was the director of Ostrava Philharmonic, also vocal duet with Czech singer “ Elis “ ( I’m No Angel ) The clip for the song "Plant a Seed" is available on Youtube, featuring the Banjo playing of Lubos Malina, is the amazing result of seven weeks of work by Guillaume Cochinaire, the video director, (stop-motion animation with puppets and clay animation) Fernando Saunders’ latest album "Happiness " also features Special guests Lou Reed R.I.P , Suzanne Vega & Jan Hammer. This Album has 7 Remix songs from the Album " Plant a Seed ‘ which are vocal songs as well as a new song which is the Title Track. "Happiness " featuring vocal duet with with upcoming singer and actor ( ‪“ Joy Joy “ Johana Freywaldova )‬ also has 4 new Instrumental Tracks, which Features Fernando Saunders as Bassist, Guitarist, Multi-instrumentalist & vocalist. Also Guest Violinist Karel Holas member of famous Czech Folklore Band Cechomor and violinist Peter Krajniak as well as 2 guest accordionists and drummer Jt Lewis. Quote from “ Marianne Faithfull “ Fernando is a first rate singer and a musician's musician," praises Faithfull."His songwriting has an alternative slant with a fresh innocence that's very much a part of Fernando. Quote from " Lou Reed “ speaks admirably, "I have always thought Fernando is a very advanced human... maybe I should study with Fernando because he's really on a very high level of existence through his music." New upcoming album coming soon relies dated 2016. I would like to thank all my friends and fans your support. Blessing, Fernando Saunders