With credits that include work for artists such as, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame, Prince, John Mayer, and most recently, Glee, bassist, singer and songwriter Nik West is anything more than just another pretty face. Noted music journalist Alex Henderson (Billboard) sums West’s incredible talent up saying “Nik West is one 21st Century artist who isn’t lacking in the chops department.”
“She is a young electric bassist who clearly knows her way around her instrument and plays like she has been inspired by the funky likes of Larry Graham, Louis Johnson (of Brothers Johnson fame) and Marcus Miller. Nik West is also a highly expressive singer and is one of the few artists that can sing a soft and smooth jazzy vocal as well as a raspy high pitched rock vocal.”
West’s musical journey began in her hometown, Phoenix, AZ. It was there that her father —an accomplished guitarist—taught her how to play the rhythm guitar when she was just 13-years-old. Growing up in a household filled with music and creativity. West’s family includes her sisters (keys, drums, violin, and guitar) who were her first band and singing act, and an older brother, a few of which she still records with today.
Though she began her musical journey playing the guitar, the left-handed phenom truly realized her calling when she discovered the bass in high school while listening to Michael Jackson’s “You Wanna Be Startin Somethin”. After discovering the instrument there was no stopping her.
Music was not the only area West excelled in. The accomplished runway and print model and musician was a straight A student in high school and a track and field state record holder. She’s so passionate about calculus that she has a blog dedicated to her love for it. Unfortunately for the universities that offered her scholarships for her mind and athletic acumen, West chose music as her career path.
Although West’s father taught her and her siblings how to sing at a young age she has always considered herself more of a bassist than a singer. So much so that she intended for her debut album— Just in the Nik of Time —to be an instrumental project. “The producer I was working with, told me I have a wonderful voice and I need to sing,” says West. “I ended up doing it and I kind of like it now.”
While working on her first album “Just In The Nik Of Time”, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics also became acquainted with West’s work, fell in love with her soulful voice, and reached out to her to work with him on several projects. Within days she was performing with Stewart in Los Angeles to capacity crowds. Days later she also began working with Stewart and Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette, George Strait, and Michael Jackson) on a recording project. Since then, Nik has accompanied, recorded with, and jammed with a few well-known artists, such as Prince, John Mayer, Marcus Miller, and more. Her talent has even peaked the attention of Lenny Kravitz, Steven Tyler, and Flea (RHCP). “Nik West is definitely bringing back the funk groovement and I love everything about what she stands for!” – Bootsy Collins
Before gracing the covers of Bass Musician Magazine and being featured in Bass Player, Bass Quarterly Germany, and Bass Magazine Japan, West’s skill was noticed early on by legendary music company, Fender. They took notice of her standout voice and funky bass playing and offered her an artist endorsement. She was also one of the first musicians to play Fender’s first 6-string bass. West’s string of accomplishments continued as she was selected to endorse SWR’s Black Beauty Amplifiers. The photo of West that is featured in the SWR advertisement was hand selected by legendary bassist Marcus Miller. “Any time someone is called by Prince AND the Musical Director for Michael Jackson (Michael Bearden), you just know they have to be something special!”
Nik is the face of a brand new line of basses called the Dimension Bass that Fender came out with in 2013.. She was a partner in helping to develop the bass. She is also the brainchild behind the Queen of Strings Competition, discovering, inspiring and teaching young women self esteem and discipline on an instrument. To find out more, visit www.queenofstrings.com
“The Female Lenny Kravitz”- Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)
“Holy Funkadelic, I felt this girl’s energy the first time I was in her presence, I knew there was something special about her with that hair” – Steven Tyler
“Great stage presence” – Prince
“She wears a colorful mohawk shaped like a bass clef on her head” – Soul Train
