Bassist and composer, Neal ‘Sugar’ Caine, has been one of New York’s premier jazz bassists for the last two decades.  As a bass player, he’s buoyant yet foundational, melodic, and endlessly swinging. As a band leader, he’s commanding, thoughtful, and charismatic. Over the years, he has been a trusted creative presence for such international stars as Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr, Betty Carter, Elvin Jones, Benny Green, Jon Batiste, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, and Samara Joy. Caine has played iconic venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Sydney Opera House, and major jazz festivals from Newport Jazz Festival to Montreaux.

As well as working on Broadway, (How to Succeed in Business, Pajama Game, and On a Clear Day)  and in film and television, composing for the movies (The Opening Act, The Amazing Johnathan, and The Last Late Night with Steve Byrne) And playing on TV shows (Treme, Marvellous Mrs Maisel, and Shmigadoon!)

He also has been an adjunct professor at The New School for Social Research and the University of New Orleans, and taught at various other institutions. 

A dual resident of New York City and New Orleans, this St Louis native’s resume reads like a who’s who of Jazz. Neal began playing the violin at age of three, picking up the electric and acoustic bass in his teenage years. After graduating from the University City High School, a hot bed of talented jazz musicians, Neal attended Tulane University in New Orleans,  and immediately began to perform at the jazz clubs around town with musicians such as Ellis Marsalis, Earl "The African Cowboy" Turbinton, Nicholas Payton, Donald Harrison, and Brian Blade, to name a few.

At the age of 19, he began touring internationally with the Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet. Two years later, he joined legendary drummer Elvin Jones’ Jazz Machine and moved to New York City at his behest. After three years with Elvin, Neal became a member of Diana Krall’s trio featuring Russel Malone. He followed that by joining iconic jazz vocalist Betty Carter’s last trio. After a stint with jazz pianist Bennie Green, Neal was asked to join the popular vocalist Harry Connick Jr’s organization and has been his exclusive bass player ever since.

His first album ‘Backstabber’s Ball’ in 2005, on the Greenwich Village Small’s label, debuted his compositional skills and more introverted musical expression:

‘The quiet atmosphere, ghostly harmonizing of the horns and Neal Caine’s knack for writing wistful melodies that sound like half remembered jazz standards give his music a mysterioso atmosphere too rare in Jazz... Caine steps out for a few sturdy solos but this is less a showcase for his bass playing, as his composing and artistic vision, it’s a rare jazz album, let alone a leader’s debut that makes such a strong statement treading so carefully.” Kevin Whitehead from NPR

Caine’s latest album ‘Skip To My Lou’ launches January 22nd 2024