Jack Bruce

Born: May 14, 1943
Glasgow, Scotland

Jack Bruce grew up in Scotland. His parents had a great appreciate for jazz music, and his earliest influences are all rooted in jazz. When he became a teenager, he picked up the cello and bass quickly. He attended music school, but quit because of the harsh role politics played in the school. He left home to travel through Europe, and he played bass everywhere he went. He met musicians everywhere he went, and developed interests in blues, as well as jazz. In London, he met drummer Ginger Baker, who also had a keen interest in jazz and blues. He briefly joined Alexis Korner’s Blue Inc., before quitting to join John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers with the phenomenal young guitarist Eric Clapton. He also had a brief stint with Manfred Mann’s band before forming Cream with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker. Cream remains the band Bruce is most popularly known for, and he did some of his best writing with the band. Cream produced hits written by Bruce such as “Sunshine of Your Love,” “White Room,” and “Strange Brew.” Cream was short-lived, however, and they split in 1968. Bruce then formed Jack Bruce and Friends with Mitch Mitchell. Throughout the 70’s and 80’s, Bruce recording and toured with several different variations of his band. They adopted different names, such as the Jack Bruce Band, and West, Bruce and Laing. Bruce has embraced his jazz roots, as well as performing blues standards by Albert Collins and the like.

Instruments Played / Skills:

Backup Vocals Bass Guitar Songwriter Vocals