Gail Ann Dorsey

Gail Ann Dorsey (born November 20, 1962) is an American musician. With a long career as a session musician mainly on bass guitar, she performed regularly in David Bowie's band, from 1995 to Bowie's last tour in 2004.

Aside from playing bass, she sang lead vocals on live versions of "Under Pressure" (taking the part originally sung by Queen frontman Freddie Mercury) and dueted with Bowie on other songs, including "The London Boys", "Aladdin Sane (1913–1938–197?)", "I Dig Everything", accompanying Bowie on clarinet, and a cover of Laurie Anderson's "O Superman".

From 1993 to 1996, Dorsey also recorded and toured with Tears for Fears, and collaborated on songwriting with the band. She appeared in several of the band's promo videos throughout this period.

Her diverse range of work includes performances and recordings with The National, Lenny Kravitz, Bryan Ferry, Boy George, the Indigo Girls, Khaled, Jane Siberry, The The, Skin, Gwen Stefani, Charlie Watts, Seal, Gang of Four, Susan Werner, Ani DiFranco and Dar Williams.

In addition, Dorsey has released three solo albums: The Corporate World (1988), Rude Blue (1992), and I Used To Be... (2003).

Early life Dorsey grew up in the 1970s in West Philadelphia. She played guitar from the age of nine and cites Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, Terry Kath of Chicago, Jimi Hendrix, and Nancy Wilson of Heart as early influences. She acquired a bass guitar shortly after her 14th birthday but did not consider herself a bass player until she was 20.

Dorsey attended the California Institute of the Arts in the School of Film and Video. Her screenplays and short Super 8 films earned her a full scholarship. Dorsey was the only woman in her freshman class and the youngest woman to be admitted to the Live Action department up to that point. Dorsey's first high-profile job was as a guest vocalist in the original line up of The Charlie Watts Big Band and its 1985 premiere at London's famous West End jazz club, Ronnie Scott's. An important point in Dorsey's solo career was her appearance on The Tube, a weekly music television hosted by Jools Holland and Paula Yates.

In December 1987, Dorsey signed with Warner Music Group and in 1988 released her first solo album, The Corporate World. The album was produced by bassist Nathan East of the jazz quartet Fourplay and included appearances by artists such as Eric Clapton. It received a five-star review and was voted one of the Top 50 Albums of the Year by London's Q magazine. she provided vocals and bass for Earthling (1997), Heathen (2002), Reality (2003) and The Next Day (2013). She recorded "Planet of Dreams", a duet with Bowie on the 1997 EMI UK benefit CD release, Long Live Tibet, as well as several other live recordings and videos. She was on board for the last six tours

Since 2022, she collaborate with Matthieu Chedid on album (Rêvalité) and on stage.

Style and influences Dorsey's musical style has a broad span and incorporates rock, funk, country, and pop influences.

Discography Solo 1988: The Corporate World (Sire Records) 1992: Rude Blue (Island Records) 2004: I Used to Be (Sad Bunny Records)

Gang of Four 1991: Mall – Gail Ann: bass, backing vocals 2015: What Happens Next – Gail Ann: vocals on "First World Citizen"

The The 1995: Hanky Panky – Gail Ann: bass

Tears for Fears 1993: Elemental – Gail Ann: bass player for "Elemental" and participation in their "Elemental Tour" (1993–95) 1995: Raoul and the Kings of Spain – Gail Ann: bass and participation in the writing of "Queen of Compromise"

David Bowie Studio albums 1997: Earthling – Gail Ann: bass, backing vocals 2003: Reality – Gail Ann: backing vocals 2013: The Next Day – Gail Ann shares bassist position with Tony Levin, being present on bass on 8 songs and on backing vocals on 7

Live albums 2000: LiveAndWell.com – Gail Ann: bass, keyboards, backing vocals 2000: Bowie at the Beeb – Gail Ann: bass, guitars, backing vocals on CD 3 2009: VH1 Storytellers – Gail Ann: bass, backing vocals 2010: A Reality Tour – Gail Ann: bass, backing vocals 2018: Glastonbury 2000 – Gail Ann: bass, backing vocals

Compilation 2022: Toy – Gail Ann: bass, clarinet, backing vocals

EP 2020: Is It Any Wonder? - David Bowie EP recorded during the Earthling album sessions; Gail Ann is present on 5 of the 6 titles of the EP

Rachid Taha/Khaled/Faudel 1999: 1,2,3 Suns – Gail Ann: bass, backing vocals; Steve Hillage of the band Gong produced the album and played guitar

Collaborations 2023: Album Rêvalité by French singer/songwriter Matthieu Chedid – Gail Ann: chorus and bass; vocals on digitally released tracks "Space Oddity" and "Life on Mars".

1990: Bloodletting by Concrete Blonde – Gail Ann: bass on "Tomorrow, Wendy"