Fourplay
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Fourplay | |
|---|---|
| Origin | United States |
| Genres | Smooth jazz |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Labels | Warner Bro., Arista/Bluebird, Heads Up |
| Members | Bob James Nathan East Harvey Mason Chuck Loeb |
| Past members | Lee Ritenour Larry Carlton |
| Website | www |
Fourplay is a contemporary jazz quartet in the United States. The original members of the group were Bob James (keyboards), Lee Ritenour (guitars), Nathan East (bass), and Harvey Mason (drums).[1] In 1997, Lee Ritenour left the group and Fourplay chose Larry Carlton as his replacement. In 2010, Larry Carlton left Fourplay and was replaced by Chuck Loeb.[2]
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 twenty years and eleven 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 chart for 33 weeks. Their next LP, 1993's Between the Sheets, reached number one, went gold, and received a Grammy nomination. In 1994, their third gold album, Elixir, also reached the number one position and remained on the chart for more than 90 weeks.
Fourplay received a Congressional Record from the United States Congress, House of Representatives recognizing them as 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.[3]
Live
Fourplay launch their new album "Let's touch the Sky" at the newly re-opened Clapham Grand Theatre in London on Thursday 10th November 2011.
Discography
Albums
| Title | Released | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Fourplay | 1991 | Warner Bros. |
| Between the Sheets | 1993 | Warner Bros. |
| Elixir | 1994 | Warner Bros. |
| The Best of Fourplay | 1997 | Warner Bros. |
| 4 | 1998 | Warner Bros. |
| Snowbound | 1999 | Warner Bros. |
| Yes, Please! | 2000 | Warner Bros. |
| Heartfelt | 2002 | Bluebird |
| Journey | 2004 | Bluebird |
| X | 2006 | Bluebird |
| Energy | 2008 | Heads Up |
| Let's Touch the Sky | 2010 | Heads Up |
| Esprit De Four | 2012 | Heads Up |
DVD
- Fourplay - An Evening of Fourplay: Volumes I and II, 120 min, 2005
- Fourplay - 2006 - Live at San Javier Jazz Festival
Live
Genre: Smooth Jazz Original Release: 2006 Unknown Total Playtime: 01:28:22
01. [08:05] Galaxia 02. [10:18] Chant 03. [11:01] 101 Eastbound 04. [02:26] Blues 4orce 05. [06:25] Turnabout 06. [10:57] Fields of Gold 07. [04:06] Journey 08. [08:58] Tally Ho! 09. [06:40] Amazing Grace 10. [06:40] Bali Rain 11. [03:37] Smiles 12. [09:09] Westchester Lady
Cast:
- Bob James: Piano, Keyboard
- Nathan East: Bass
- Larry Carlton: Guitar
- Harvey Mason: Drums
- Fourplay in Cape Town, 82 min, 2009
Live
Genre: Smooth Jazz Original DVD Release: 2009 Image Entertainment [ID4929YTDVD] DVD5 AudioTracks Rip: 2009 GVV-Studio Total Playtime: 01:21:07
01. [08:27] Galaxia 02. [11:16] Chant 03. [13:04] Blues 4Orce 04. [10:32] 101 Eastbound 05. [03:55] Journey 06. [11:49] Tally Ho! 07. [07:04] Amazing Grace 08. [05:32] Max-o-Man 09. [06:33] Bali Run 10. [01:55] Fourplay in Capetown
Cast: - Bob James: keyboards - Nathan East: bass, vocals - Larry Carlton: guitar - Harvey Mason: drums
References
- ^ Yanow, Scott. "Fourplay: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
- ^ Lee Mergner (February 15, 2010). "Larry Carlton Leaving Fourplay". JazzTimes. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Fourplay received their Congress Record". Whereseric.com. 2007-04-01. Retrieved 2011-10-22.