|
Fourplay has had the distinct privilege of enjoying
the past 12 years of its 20 year history with legendary guitarist
Larry Carlton. As Larry takes his leave to delve further into his solo
career, the band extends their heartfelt gratitude for his
contributions and wishes him continued success in all his pursuits.
Larry Carlton will remain an integral part of our musical family &
legacy.
Fourplay now welcomes its newest member, multi-faceted virtuoso
guitarist, Chuck Loeb. His musical contributions will undoubtedly
enhance the creativity and pursuit of excellence Fourplay has enjoyed
in the studio and on the stage.
Fourplay thanks its many loyal fans and promises that this latest
incarnation will inspire the band to explore new avenues of creativity
while maintaining its core musical values.
For nearly two decades, the contemporary jazz quartet known as Fourplay has
enjoyed consistent artistic and commercial success by grafting elements of R&B,
pop and a variety of other sounds to their unwavering jazz foundations. In the
course of ten recordings – five of which have climbed to the top of Billboard’s
Contemporary Jazz Album charts – the supergroup has continued to explore the
limitless dimensions and permutations of jazz while at the same time appealing
to a broad mainstream audience.
|
 |
|
Bob James
|
The Fourplay story begins in 1990, with keyboardist Bob James, who had already
established himself as a formidable figure in keyboard jazz – not just as an
instrumentalist but as a composer and arranger as well – with solo recordings
dating as far back as the mid 1960s. In 1990, James reunited with his old
friend, session drummer Harvey Mason (Herbie Hancock, Sergio Mendes, James
Brown), during the recording of James’ Grand Piano Canyon album. Also involved
in the project were guitarist Lee Ritenour (Sergio Mendes) and bassist/vocalist
Nathan East (Barry White, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins).
The Grand Piano Canyon sessions marked the genesis of the group that eventually
came to be known as Fourplay. Their self-titled debut album was released in
1991, and included a blend of jazz, R&B and pop.
 |
|
|
Harvey Mason
|
|
The original lineup of James/Ritenour/East/Mason stayed together for three
successive albums, including Elixir (1994), a set that features some
high-profile guest vocalists: Phil Collins, Patti Austin and Peabo Bryson. East
also delivers some noteworthy vocal contributions on Elixir, and has continued
to do so throughout most of Fourplay’s subsequent studio outings.
Ritenour, whose guitar work in tandem with James’ keyboards served as the
cornerstone of the early Fourplay sound, left the lineup in the mid-1990s and
was replaced by Larry Carlton (The Crusaders, Joni Mitchell, Quincy Jones).
Carlton made his first studio appearance with the band with the release of 4 in
1998. 4 included compositions by all four members, as well as an impressive crew
of guest vocalists: El Debarge, Babyface Edmonds, Kevyn Lettau and Shanice.
|
 |
|
Larry Carlton
|
Following the 1999 release of Snowbound, a mix of traditional and contemporary
holiday songs, Fourplay shook things up a bit with Yes Please!, an album that
challenged the standard definitions of contemporary jazz by incorporating
elements of blues, funk and even Celtic music. JazzTimes critic Hilarie Grey
called Yes Please! “an expansive album that incorporates each artist’s
strengths, and in the process travels in some unexpected directions.” Grey
added: “Yes Please! works where similar projects fail simply because it lets its
artists play, without imposing artificial boundaries.”
The sense of experimentation continued with the 2002 release of Heartfelt. The
material in this set emerged from a series of improvisational performances that
were assembled into full compositions. As a result, the tunes have less clearly
defined melodies, but the overall album is both exploratory and accessible at
the same time.
 |
|
|
Nathan East
|
|
Journey, released in 2004, is a laid-back affair, but complex at the same time.
Consistent with Fourplay’s eclectic philosophy, Journey incorporates a range of
stylistic elements – as evidenced by such high points as the delicate cover of
the 1993 Sting hit “Fields of Gold” and the bossa nova flavored “Rozil.”
X followed in 2006, with guest vocals by blue-eyed-soul icon Michael McDonald,
who delivers an inspired rendition of Steve Winwood’s “My Loves Leavin’.”
JazzTimes called X “a softly funky, superbly crafted and unapologetically
low-key album.”
Fourplay joins the prestigious roster of artists on the Heads Up International
label with the September 23, 2008, release of Energy. Carlton promises that the
band’s maiden voyage with Heads Up “will be a continuation in the growth of the
Fourplay sound. We look forward to delivering the next chapter in the Fourplay
story and having Heads Up deliver it to the world.”
East is equally optimistic. “I look forward to an adventurous, classy and
soul-filled record that showcases our talents individually and collectively,” he
says. “Until the last note is played, it’s hard to predict the exact direction.
That’s what we love about jazz – the improvisation that happens in the moment.”
 FOURPLAY is
Bob James – Keyboards
Larry Carlton – Guitar
Nathan East – Bass &
Vocals
Harvey Mason – Drums
For Management Information:
Sonny Abelardo
Sonny Abelardo Management
407.628.4231
sabelardo@aol.com
For Booking Information:
Paul Goldman
Monterey International
312.640.7500
paul@montereyinternational.net
|
