1980s: Legendary Sessions
Wayne Shorter, Bunny Brunel, John Wackerman, Kazumi Watanabe
In the 1990s, Bunny Brunel solidified his reputation as a “founding father” of jazz-rock fusion through a prolific period of solo recording and high-profile social and professional collaborations. He released several of his most enduring solo projects during this decade, including
Ivanhoe (1991), Dedication (1992), and For You to Play (1994). These records defined his signature style, blending melodic complexity with a deep, groove-oriented approach on both fretless and electric basses. His 1992 album Dedication was a particularly significant jazz date where he performed exclusively on acoustic upright bass, featuring a “who’s who” of elite collaborators including Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Mike Stern on guitar, and Billy Childs on piano. The album even included a guest appearance by Chick Corea and highlighted Brunel’s deep connections within the jazz community through interpretations of pieces by Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock.
Brunel’s social and professional circle during this era was remarkably broad, frequently placing him alongside the genre’s greatest legends. In 1991, he performed as part of the Herbie Hancock & Wayne Shorter Quartet at the Jazz Jamboree, further cementing his status among the elite. His influence also expanded into Hollywood through a notable partnership with Clint Eastwood; Brunel collaborated on the soundtrack for the Oscar-winning film The Unforgiven (1992), creating the iconic “Claudia’s Theme,” and served as the personal bass instructor for Kyle Eastwood, helping launch the younger Eastwood’s jazz career.
Simultaneously, Brunel became a pivotal figure in instrument design and education. He spent much of the decade designing signature electric and upright basses for Carvin, focusing on technical optimizations for professional players. His commitment to the craft was further cemented by the publication of definitive guides like The Complete Book of Bass Technique (1993) and Bunny Brunel’s Bass Secrets (1995), which remain staples for fusion bassists. As the decade closed with the release of Bunny Brunel’s L.A. Zoo (1998), he began forming the “super-fusion” group CAB with Tony MacAlpine and Dennis Chambers.
A special note: Bunny was extremely close to his older brother Robert (Bob) Brunel, who traveled from France to visit him, and is represented in a few of these pictures.
