Stuart Zender
Encyclopedia
Stuart Patrick Jude Zender (born 18 March 1974, Sheffield
, South Yorkshire
) is an English
bassist
, songwriter
and record producer
. He is best known for being the original bass player for Jamiroquai
.
in Reading
(for a year in 1988-89 before being expelled) known for its strength in music. Stuart left his home when he was seventeen. Before he left, his mother gave him two thousand pounds that she saved, to give Stuart a head start with things in life. As Stuart said, he never had good business acumen, so instead of investing that money in some way, he went to the music store and bought a Warwick Streamer
bass (which cost nearly the whole amount given to him by his mother). Before picking up a Warwick, Stuart played a Music Man Stingray
bass. Of his early bands, the most famous was prank rock group Fabulous. The 1991 outfit were chiefly made up of NME writers and photographers.
. He joined the band in 1993, and instantly became highly approved by the audiences for his playing style. Soon after, Zender was asked to become an official Warwick basses
endorser. Zender received a number of unique custom shop Streamer
models. He played, co-wrote and produced on Jamiroquai
's first three albums: Emergency on Planet Earth
, The Return of the Space Cowboy
and Travelling Without Moving
. According to the Guinness World Records, Travelling Without Moving
is the best selling funk album of all time and currently has sold around 11.5 million records worldwide.
Zender left Jamiroquai during recording of their fourth album Synkronized
because of conflicts with lead singer Jay Kay. The circumstances behind his departure have never been fully revealed, but Stuart explained that he felt that he (and other band members) were not being credited for assisting in songwriting and producing. He also stated that he tendered his resignation to spend more time with his budding family. Stuart was replaced by Nick Fyffe
, who had previously been in a Jamiroquai tribute band. Fyffe left in 2003 and was later replaced by Paul Turner in 2005.
, Omar
, Lauryn Hill
, D'Angelo
, Gorillaz
, Samuel Purdey, Ms. Dynamite
and Stevie Wonder
. He also dated singer Melanie Blatt
of former UK
girl group All Saints
. The two were together for seven years. They have one daughter together, named Lilyella. Some of Stuart's most recent work has been with his latest band "LEROI". They were signed onto Geffen Records
in Los Angeles. The deal fell through after the heads of the company, Polly Anthony and Jordan Shurr, who signed them, were made redundant.
Zender left Los Angeles in the summer of 2006 to become the Musical director and bass player for Mark Ronson
. The release of the album Version
in 2007 proved to be a larger success than first expected. Thanks to the success he has performed with Ronson at numerous popular events such as "Radio 1's Big Weekend", "O2 Wireless at Hyde Park", "Global Gathering" and "Glastonbury", and festivals all over Europe including "Montreux Jazz Festival" in Switzerland and "North Sea Jazz Festival" in The Hague. They were also recently special guests on Jay Z's UK tour.
On September 26, 2009, Zender finally broke his silence on his departure from Jamiroquai on the Cool Lounge radio show. While going through the motions of heartache, Zender says that he then became quiet and introverted which his band mates mistook for vanity. "Jay actually called me a Prima Donna at one point I remember. And I was like, 'that's weird coming from you, mate!' " Zender says that throughout the hard times he looks back on his time with Jamiroquai with fond memories.
Recently, Zender has just set up his own record label "White Buffalo Recordings" and has started working on new material for his own album.
have recently reunited to produce a Stuart Zender signature bass guitar. Zender began his career by playing Warwick guitars in 1993, when Jamiroquai was formed. All bass players wanted to know what was behind the funky bass lines that became the defining essence of Jamiroquai's music. TV appearances and magazine interviews followed revealing Warwick as the basses used. An endorsement soon followed along with many designs - the Iroquai "rug" bass, the all white bass including blue LEDs, the Chrome "Ender" along with many of the original basses used.
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
) is an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. He is best known for being the original bass player for Jamiroquai
Jamiroquai
Jamiroquai is a British jazz funk and acid jazz band formed in 1992. Jamiroquai were initially the most prominent component in the early-1990s London-based acid jazz movement, alongside groups such as Incognito, the James Taylor Quartet, and the Brand New Heavies. Other Acid Jazz artists such as...
.
Early life
Raised in Philadelphia, he attended Leighton Park SchoolLeighton Park School
Leighton Park School is a co-educational Quaker independent school for both day and boarding pupils. It is situated in the large town of Reading in Berkshire, in South East England...
in Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
(for a year in 1988-89 before being expelled) known for its strength in music. Stuart left his home when he was seventeen. Before he left, his mother gave him two thousand pounds that she saved, to give Stuart a head start with things in life. As Stuart said, he never had good business acumen, so instead of investing that money in some way, he went to the music store and bought a Warwick Streamer
Streamer Bass
The Streamer bass is a bass guitar manufactured by the Warwick company and launched in 1982.The headstock design was changed around 1985 to be replaced with the current style headstock, and the original one piece bridge was later changed to the two piece style seen in current Warwick basses...
bass (which cost nearly the whole amount given to him by his mother). Before picking up a Warwick, Stuart played a Music Man Stingray
Music Man (company)
Music Man is an American guitar, and bass guitar manufacturer. It is a division of the Ernie Ball corporation.-Early years:The Music Man story began in 1971 when Forrest White and Tom Walker talked with Leo Fender about starting a company they would call Tri-Sonic, Inc...
bass. Of his early bands, the most famous was prank rock group Fabulous. The 1991 outfit were chiefly made up of NME writers and photographers.
Jamiroquai
Stuart was one of the founding members of the highly-acclaimed funk/acid jazz band JamiroquaiJamiroquai
Jamiroquai is a British jazz funk and acid jazz band formed in 1992. Jamiroquai were initially the most prominent component in the early-1990s London-based acid jazz movement, alongside groups such as Incognito, the James Taylor Quartet, and the Brand New Heavies. Other Acid Jazz artists such as...
. He joined the band in 1993, and instantly became highly approved by the audiences for his playing style. Soon after, Zender was asked to become an official Warwick basses
Warwick (bass guitar)
-Overview:Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods with 'Neck-through' design...
endorser. Zender received a number of unique custom shop Streamer
Streamer Bass
The Streamer bass is a bass guitar manufactured by the Warwick company and launched in 1982.The headstock design was changed around 1985 to be replaced with the current style headstock, and the original one piece bridge was later changed to the two piece style seen in current Warwick basses...
models. He played, co-wrote and produced on Jamiroquai
Jamiroquai
Jamiroquai is a British jazz funk and acid jazz band formed in 1992. Jamiroquai were initially the most prominent component in the early-1990s London-based acid jazz movement, alongside groups such as Incognito, the James Taylor Quartet, and the Brand New Heavies. Other Acid Jazz artists such as...
's first three albums: Emergency on Planet Earth
Emergency on Planet Earth
Emergency on Planet Earth is the debut studio album released by British acid jazz band Jamiroquai. Released in 1993, the album features strong elements of the mixture of the R&B, and funk genres, but it is notable for being one of the group's definitive acid-jazz albums...
, The Return of the Space Cowboy
The Return of the Space Cowboy
The Return Of The Space Cowboy is the second album by the band Jamiroquai. Released in 1994, it is usually classified under the acid-jazz and funk genre.-Album information:...
and Travelling Without Moving
Travelling Without Moving
Travelling Without Moving is the third studio album released by British Acid Jazz band Jamiroquai. Released in 1996, the album features the international hit single "Virtual Insanity"...
. According to the Guinness World Records, Travelling Without Moving
Travelling Without Moving
Travelling Without Moving is the third studio album released by British Acid Jazz band Jamiroquai. Released in 1996, the album features the international hit single "Virtual Insanity"...
is the best selling funk album of all time and currently has sold around 11.5 million records worldwide.
Zender left Jamiroquai during recording of their fourth album Synkronized
Synkronized
Synkronized is the fourth studio album released by Acid Jazz band Jamiroquai. Released in 1999, the album contains funk, disco, and acid jazz elements...
because of conflicts with lead singer Jay Kay. The circumstances behind his departure have never been fully revealed, but Stuart explained that he felt that he (and other band members) were not being credited for assisting in songwriting and producing. He also stated that he tendered his resignation to spend more time with his budding family. Stuart was replaced by Nick Fyffe
Nick Fyffe
Nick Fyffe is an English bassist, known for being an ex-bassist of British funk band Jamiroquai. He replaced Stuart Zender in 1999 with the release of the album Synkronized. He was in the process of applying to a Jamiroquai tribute band, when he got the offer to join Jamiroquai...
, who had previously been in a Jamiroquai tribute band. Fyffe left in 2003 and was later replaced by Paul Turner in 2005.
Post-Jamiroquai (1998-present)
After Jamiroquai, Zender had his own project called "AZUR" which signed a record deal with Virgin US. However the project was shelved and was then available on the internet for a short time. He has also worked with numerous artists, including All SaintsAll Saints (band)
All Saints were a British/Canadian girl group. Founded in 1993 as All Saints 1.9.7.5, the group consisted of founding members Melanie Blatt and Shaznay Lewis, and sisters Nicole Appleton and Natalie Appleton...
, Omar
Omar
Omar can refer to:-Name:* Omar , including a list of people with the given name or surname Omar, Omer or Umar as well-Places:* Omar, Konar, a village in Afghanistan...
, Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
, D'Angelo
D'Angelo
Michael Eugene Archer , better known by his stage name D'Angelo, is an American R&B and neo soul singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is known for his production and songwriting talents as much as for his vocal abilities, and often draws comparisons to his influences,...
, Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Gorillaz is an English musical project created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. This project consists of Gorillaz music itself and an extensive fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of cartoon characters...
, Samuel Purdey, Ms. Dynamite
Ms. Dynamite
Niomi Arleen McLean-Daley , who performs as Ms. Dynamite, is a double BRIT Award and three time MOBO Awards winning UK garage, R&B and hip hop singer and rapper.-Biography:...
and Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
. He also dated singer Melanie Blatt
Melanie Blatt
Melanie Ruth Blatt is a singer, actress, television personality and was a member of the multi-million selling girl group All Saints. Following their split she launched a solo career.-Early life:...
of former UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
girl group All Saints
All Saints (band)
All Saints were a British/Canadian girl group. Founded in 1993 as All Saints 1.9.7.5, the group consisted of founding members Melanie Blatt and Shaznay Lewis, and sisters Nicole Appleton and Natalie Appleton...
. The two were together for seven years. They have one daughter together, named Lilyella. Some of Stuart's most recent work has been with his latest band "LEROI". They were signed onto Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
in Los Angeles. The deal fell through after the heads of the company, Polly Anthony and Jordan Shurr, who signed them, were made redundant.
Zender left Los Angeles in the summer of 2006 to become the Musical director and bass player for Mark Ronson
Mark Ronson
Mark Daniel Ronson is an English DJ, guitarist, music producer, artist and co-founder of Allido Records. He currently works with his band under the music alias of Mark Ronson & The Business Intl....
. The release of the album Version
Version (album)
-iTunes digital edition:-Japanese CD edition:-Chart performance:-Release history:-External links:* at MetaCritic...
in 2007 proved to be a larger success than first expected. Thanks to the success he has performed with Ronson at numerous popular events such as "Radio 1's Big Weekend", "O2 Wireless at Hyde Park", "Global Gathering" and "Glastonbury", and festivals all over Europe including "Montreux Jazz Festival" in Switzerland and "North Sea Jazz Festival" in The Hague. They were also recently special guests on Jay Z's UK tour.
On September 26, 2009, Zender finally broke his silence on his departure from Jamiroquai on the Cool Lounge radio show. While going through the motions of heartache, Zender says that he then became quiet and introverted which his band mates mistook for vanity. "Jay actually called me a Prima Donna at one point I remember. And I was like, 'that's weird coming from you, mate!' " Zender says that throughout the hard times he looks back on his time with Jamiroquai with fond memories.
Recently, Zender has just set up his own record label "White Buffalo Recordings" and has started working on new material for his own album.
Equipment
Zender and WarwickWarwick (bass guitar)
-Overview:Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods with 'Neck-through' design...
have recently reunited to produce a Stuart Zender signature bass guitar. Zender began his career by playing Warwick guitars in 1993, when Jamiroquai was formed. All bass players wanted to know what was behind the funky bass lines that became the defining essence of Jamiroquai's music. TV appearances and magazine interviews followed revealing Warwick as the basses used. An endorsement soon followed along with many designs - the Iroquai "rug" bass, the all white bass including blue LEDs, the Chrome "Ender" along with many of the original basses used.
- 1x WarwickWarwick (bass guitar)-Overview:Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods with 'Neck-through' design...
SZ Signature Bass 4-string - 1x WarwickWarwick (bass guitar)-Overview:Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods with 'Neck-through' design...
SZ Signature Bass 4-string (Red one, saw live in Paris and Amsterdam for Mark Ronson) - 1x WarwickWarwick (bass guitar)-Overview:Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods with 'Neck-through' design...
SZ Signature Bass 4-string (White one, Stuart posted the picture on Facebook) - 1x Warwick "Iroquai Rug Bass" Streamer 5-string
- 1x Warwick "The Chrome Ender Bass" Streamer Stage I 4-string
- 1x Fender 1964 Precision BassFender Precision BassThe Fender Precision Bass is an electric bass.Designed by Leo Fender as a prototype in 1950 and brought to market in 1951, the Precision was the first electric bass to earn widespread attention and use. A revolutionary instrument for the time, the Precision Bass has made an immeasurable impact on...
- 1x Warwick Streamer Stage II 5-string (used in 1995 live)
- 1x AlembicAlembic IncAlembic was founded in 1969 and is a manufacturer of high-end electric basses, guitars and preamps.-History:Ron and Susan Wickersham founded Alembic, Inc. in 1969...
Epic 4-string (onstage backup bass) - Warwick Amplification
Album appearances
- Jamiroquai - Emergency on Planet EarthEmergency on Planet EarthEmergency on Planet Earth is the debut studio album released by British acid jazz band Jamiroquai. Released in 1993, the album features strong elements of the mixture of the R&B, and funk genres, but it is notable for being one of the group's definitive acid-jazz albums...
(bass) - Jamiroquai - The Return of the Space CowboyThe Return of the Space CowboyThe Return Of The Space Cowboy is the second album by the band Jamiroquai. Released in 1994, it is usually classified under the acid-jazz and funk genre.-Album information:...
(bass, writer) - Guru - Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New RealityJazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New RealityGuru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality, was the follow-up to the well-received Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1. This second release to the Jazzmatazz series slightly toned down the jazz rap punch that made the first volume memorable. It was nevertheless critically acclaimed in its own right...
(bass) - Jamiroquai - Travelling Without MovingTravelling Without MovingTravelling Without Moving is the third studio album released by British Acid Jazz band Jamiroquai. Released in 1996, the album features the international hit single "Virtual Insanity"...
(bass, writer) - Live from 6A - Late Night With Conan O'Brien
- Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn HillThe Miseducation of Lauryn HillThe Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is the debut solo album by American musician Lauryn Hill, released August 25, 1998, on Columbia Records. Recording sessions for the album took place from late 1997 to June 1998, and were held primarily at Tuff Gong Studios in Jamaica...
- Mica Paris - Black Angel (bass)
- Now Dance 98 - Compilation. (bass)
- Omar - Best by Far (Bass, Percussion, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Programming, Co-Writer, Producer)
- All Saints - Saints and Sinners (Writer, Producer, Mixer, Keyboards, Bass, Percussion, Strings, Programming)
- Space Monkeyz vs. Gorillaz - Laika Come HomeLaika Come HomeLaika Come Home is a Gorillaz remix album released in July 2002 . Unlike a typical remix album, it is done by just one group, Spacemonkeyz. It contains most of the songs from the Gorillaz' first album, Gorillaz, but remixed in dub and reggae style. The album features Terry Hall, U Brown, Earl 16...
- Mark RonsonMark RonsonMark Daniel Ronson is an English DJ, guitarist, music producer, artist and co-founder of Allido Records. He currently works with his band under the music alias of Mark Ronson & The Business Intl....
- VersionVersion (album)-iTunes digital edition:-Japanese CD edition:-Chart performance:-Release history:-External links:* at MetaCritic...
(bass)
Video appearances
- Jamiroquai – When You Gonna Learn
- Jamiroquai – Blow Your Mind
- Jamiroquai – Emergency on Planet Earth
- Jamiroquai – Light Years
- Jamiroquai – Stillness in Time
- Jamiroquai – Space Cowboy
- Jamiroquai – Cosmic Girl
- Jamiroquai – Alright
- Jamiroquai – High Times
- Jamiroquai – Virtual Insanity
- Ms. Dynamite – Dy-Na-Mi-Tee
- Mark Ronson – Oh My God (Feat. Lily Allen)
- Mark Ronson – Valerie (Feat. Amy Winehouse)
- US TV Appearance – Stop Me – Conan O'Brien, NBC, 2007.07.12