Carol Kaye to Receive Les Paul Innovation Award at NAMM TEC Awards
Each year, the NAMM TEC Committee honors legendary musicians with the Les Paul Innovation Award. The recipient for 2022 is one of the most influential bassists of all time: Carol Kaye. As a member of the first call group of musicians in L.A. during the ’60s and ’70s, her bass lines underpin major hits by The Beach Boys, Herb Alpert, Ray Charles, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Joe Cocker, and many more.
“This year’s Les Paul Innovation Award recipient is a legend in the music industry and a very well deserving individual that played with Les during her career,” says Michael Braunstein, executive director of the Les Paul Foundation. Carol pioneered a path that pushed open the door for many women in the business and with it, built a legacy that will continue to encourage all people to create incredible sounds just like Les did. Congratulations Carol and welcome to the prestigious list of awardees that celebrate our friend, Les Paul.”
Kaye recorded on over 10,000 sessions. She was also highly influential in her teaching, authoring over 27 bass books including How To Play the Electric Bass. She has previously received several awards for her outstanding career, including the Bass Player Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
Kaye will be awarded in person at the 37th Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards (TEC Awards) on Saturday, June 4, at The 2022 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.
