For other uses, see Fourplay (disambiguation).
Fourplay is a contemporary jazz group in the United States. The original members of the group were Bob James (keyboards), Lee Ritenour (guitars), Nathan East (bass), and Harvey Mason (drums). In 1998, Lee Ritenour left the group and Fourplay chose Larry Carlton as his replacement.
Grammy-nominated supergroup Fourplay has enjoyed consistent artistic and commercial success by grafting elements of R&B and pop to their unwavering jazz foundations. In a span of seventeen years and ten albums, the quartet has continued to explore the limitless dimensions and permutations of jazz while at the same time appealing to a broad mainstream audience.
Their first record, 1991's Fourplay, sold over a million copies and remained at the number one position on Billboard's contemporary jazz charts for 33 weeks. Their next LP, 1993's Between the Sheets, reached number one, went gold, and received a Grammy nomination. In 1995, their third gold album, Elixir, also reached the number one position and remained on the charts for more than 90 weeks.
“Fourplay has been a formidable and high-profile entity in contemporary jazz for almost two decades, with a track record of musical innovation that speaks for itself,” says Dave Love, President of Heads Up International. “Each artist in the band’s lineup is an immense talent in his own right, but the synergy of all four players adds up to an even greater whole. We’re very excited to have them on the Heads Up roster, and we’re very much looking forward to a great record this year (2008).
Fourplay received a Congressional Record from the United States Congress, House of Representatives recognizing them as a distinguished members of the music industry. The award was presented by A. Robert Brown, Sr., Advisor to Congressman Ed Towns of New York at a Fourplay performance in Philadelphia. Fourplay is the only musical group in history to be recognized by the U.S. Congress. (2007)
Discography
Albums
Title
Release
Remarks
Fourplay
1991
Warner Bros.
Between the Sheets
1993
Warner Bros.
Elixir
1995
Warner Bros.
The Best of Fourplay
1997
Warner Bros.
4
1998
Warner Bros.
Snowbound
1999
Warner Bros.
Yes, Please
2000
Warner Bros.
Heartfelt
2002
Sony/BMG
Journey
2004
Sony/BMG
X
2006
Sony/BMG
External links
Official Website
Fourplay on Myspace
This article on a United States jazz band is a stub. You can help by expanding it.
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Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourplay"
Categories: United States jazz musical group stubs | Jazz ensembles | Smooth jazz ensembles
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