Bass Magazine – Issue 4 2019

68 BASS MAGAZINE ; ISSUE 4 ; bassmagazine.com

Abraham Laboriel

F

aith is a crucial ingredient for

Laboriel, who became a born-again

Christian on October 11, 1977. His

band Koinonia — which also in-

cluded fellow Christians Alex Acuña, Hadley

Hockensmith, Bill Maxwell, Justin Almar-

io, and Harlan Rogers — was named for the

Christian concept of fellowship, and Abra-

ham continues to be a beacon among His-

panic Christian musicians all over the world.

Over the years, he has balanced his secular

studio and live work with a steady stream of

gospel and Christian contemporary artists,

including Andraé Crouch, the Winans, Helen

Baylor, Phil Driscoll, Ron Kenoly, Oslo Gos-

pel Choir, Don Moen, Twila Paris, 2nd Chap-

ter Of Acts, and Donnie McClurkin, as well as

performing on devotional albums by artists

such as Joe Williams, Deniece Williams, and

Maria Muldaur.

How did becoming born-again affect you as

a musician?

I was 30 years old, and the first thing that

happened is that the burden to be creative

disappeared. When I realized that I was just a

vessel the music goes through — and that my

responsibility was to be available to share the

gift of music — the burden was removed.

Your faith is central.

Central to the groove!

In your videos, you recommend always

Joy Is Not Optional

PHIL FARNSWORTH

At Berklee in

2005