Fourplay

Fourplay Biography

One of jazz’s most successful contemporary acts, the journeyman supergroup Fourplay merges the established talents of four highly respected players to create music that’s both creative and accessible. The quartet was formed at the beginning of the 1990s by keyboardist Bob James, guitarist Lee Ritenour, bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason. The equally prestigious Larry Carlton replaced Ritenour in 1998, without interrupting the group’s musical or commercial momentum. The group’s albums showcase the musicians’ formidable collaborative chemistry, as well as their individual talents.

Fourplay was formed in 1991 after James, Ritenour, East and Mason played together on part of James’ album Grand Piano Canyon. They released their first official group effort that year and met with instant success, with the album selling over a million copies and spending 33 weeks at Number One on Billboard’s contemporary jazz chart. They followed their debut disc with a string of hit albums that established the foursome as one of jazz’s most consistently popular acts. Moving to Bluebird/RCA and continued their hot streak with 2002’s Heartfelt, 2004’s Journey and 2006’s X.

Fourplay has also earned the distinction of being the only jazz group to be acknowledged by the U.S. House of Representatives, which officially recognized Fourplay as distinguished members of the music industry.