The NAMM Foundation is honored to welcome legendary bassist, educator and author Victor Wooten to its board of directors. In the role of director-at-large, Wooten will serve a three-year term to help guide the work of the nonprofit organization and fulfill its vision: creating access to and advance participation in music making across the lifespan.
“Victor is not only an iconic bassist and artist but also a visionary educator,” said Mary Luehrsen, executive director of The NAMM Foundation. “He’s a passionate advocate who breaks down barriers to create more music makers. His belief in and work to advance access to music education have inspired us all, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him join the board.”
“Music and education are very important to me,” Wooten said. “As a new board member, I will be joining others who are also passionate about making positive changes in our musical industry. It’s an exciting time.”
Wooten is a founding member of the influential jazz-fusion group Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, as well as a longtime solo artist. He has collaborated with such renowned artists as Stanley Clarke, Mike Stern and Chick Corea and remains a sought-after session musician. As a bassist, his groundbreaking style blends jazz, funk, rock and a unique melodic approach. He was named Bass Player of the Year from Bass Player magazine three times, and he’s a five-time Grammy Award recipient.
In 2000, Wooten founded the Bass/Nature Camp music program, which expanded into Victor Wooten’s Center for Music and Nature. He also helps lead the Victor Wooten/Berklee Summer Bass Workshop at Berklee College of Music in Boston. His teaching style focuses on individuality, creativity and seeking out one’s unique musical voice. He’s the author of The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music and its sequel, The Spirit of Music: The Lesson Continues.
Wooten replaces Bernie Williams, who has served his term as director-at-large. With Wooten’s appointment, he will join Chris White, chair of The NAMM Foundation and president of White House of Music; Dinah Gretsch, vice chair, as well as executive vice president and CFO of Gretsch Co.; Susan Lipp, secretary-treasurer and chairman of Full Compass Systems; and John Mlynczak, president and CEO of NAMM.