The newest Fourplay release, Let’s Touch The Sky, is tearing up the charts.

As of today it is the Number 1 Jazz Album on iTunes and the Number 1 Jazz Bestseller on Amazon.

October 21, 2010 – There’s a huge thirst for Fourplay! The super-group just broke a record at “Smooth Jazz Now.com” with the new single “3rd Degree.” It entered the countdown at an amazing #5. “Before this week no one had ever even entered in the TOP 10,” says Smooth Jazz Now Program Director John Beaudin. “I can’t say that I’m surprised,” adds Beaudin, “For weeks fans have been emailing us wanting to hear the album and now that Chuck Loeb is in the fold there’s certainly a new spark to this great band.”

Smooth Jazz Now Editor and evening host Shannon Edwards says, “In the ten years that I’ve worked with the station I’ve never seen anything like this. Here are four guys who truly deserve the term super-group.”

Fourplay is already receiving glowing reviews for the soon-to-be released album Let’s Touch The Sky:

“Like the well-oiled precision machine that it is, Fourplay’s latest cements its reputation as a one of the genre’s best-ever contemporary jazz bands. While some of its peers are recycling and refitting every new trend that comes down the pike, Fourplay maintains its mastery with modern touches and classic musicianship that will keep fans happy to ….Touch and absorb this bit of ……Sky over and over again. Highly recommended.”
Soul Tracks

Read more reviews here.

At the Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, as the curtain came down on another sumptuous series of champagne jazz, it was totally appropriate that the formidable Fourplay were around to play the final show. In only a few short months this famed venue will be opening up for what will be its 22nd season of live jazz while Fourplay (who have been in existence for fully nineteen of those years) are also moving into a new and exciting era. With a brand new album set to be released later in the month and Chuck Loeb taking over from the legendary Larry Carlton, the band is right back to the sort of form that typified earlier releases such as ‘Between The Sheets’ and ‘Elixir’. Indeed this was a performance that acknowledged the best of what has gone before whilst giving the enthusiastic gathering a tantalizing glimpse of what the future holds.

In fact, since 1991, when keyboardist Bob James, guitarist Lee Ritenour, bass player Nathan East, and drummer Harvey Mason first came together for James’ critically acclaimed ‘Grand Piano Canyon’, this all-star collective has been the one genuine super-group in contemporary jazz. Larry Carlton took over the guitarist’s spot to coincide with the bands successful 1998 album ‘4’ and in turn has now been replaced by Chuck Loeb.

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Great news! Still two weeks out from release (10/25/10), Fourplay’s Let’s Touch The Sky is the #1 Amazon Jazz Bestseller (pre-order!) and the #128 album in Overall Music.

The new Fourplay album Let’s Touch The Sky will be released on October 26.

Sometimes you have to shake things up, push a little farther, reach a little higher – even when you’re a contemporary jazz foursome that’s been operating at the top of its collective game for two decades.

After twenty years and a dozen albums, in an industry that has undergone sweeping transformations in the past decade, Fourplay knows that the only thing that’s certain, in music or any other business, is change. The latest proof of that axiom is the new face in their lineup – that of guitarist Chuck Loeb, who makes his compelling debut with the quartet on Let’s Touch The Sky, the band’s new recording scheduled for release on October 26, 2010, on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group.

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We are heartbroken to report that one of our foursome, bassist Nathan East, has unfortunately ruptured his Achilles tendon. He is scheduled to have surgery on it this Saturday, August 7th, at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute.

In the interim, standing in on bass with Fourplay for the upcoming August performances, is our dear friend and Nathan’s mentor, Dr. Abraham Laboriel Sr. The Fourplay family wishes Nathan a speedy recovery, expecting him to be back on tour with them by September. Thank you to Abraham and all of our family, friends, and fans; we appreciate your loving support!

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.