Fourplay had the opportunity to celebrate their 25th anniversary with Berks Jazz Fest GM, John Ernesto.

Stay tuned for the 25th anniversary album, SILVER, due to be released later this summer!

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Fourplay was formed 25 years ago, born of a merging of jazz styles and instruments and expertise that forged the Berks Jazz Fest that same year.

A quarter-century later, both are matured, enhanced, reconfigured and still honoring the synergy that created them. So what better way to celebrate both silver milestones than to have Fourplay perform at Jazz Fest, which is exactly what will happen April 18, 7 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Tickets are $49.

Three of the four current members of Fourplay — Bob James, Nathan East and Harvey Mason — have been together since the beginning, crafting the improvisational contemporary jazz sound that still identifies the quartet today.

“We were in the studio recording “Restoration,” (a cut from Grand Piano Canyon),” said keyboardist Bob James, who is generally credited for bringing the musicians together (guitarist Lee Ritenour completed the group then and worked on the first three albums). “And we knew that something special was going on. Whenever you (collaborate) you hope things will click and sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t, but when the vibe is really happening, you feel it.”
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Check out some exclusive behind the scenes moments from the recent recording of the
Bob James & Nathan East duet album!

Get the newest album from Bob James, LIVE at the Milliken Auditiorium…

Available World-wide!!!

Go behind the scenes with Fourplay, as they record their new album SILVER…

Celebrating 25 years of musical magic!

Listen to a single from the CD at www.bobjames.com!

The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College and Tappan Zee Records are pleased to announce the USA release of the new CD Bob James Live at the Milliken Auditorium as recorded in concert with the Grammy Award winning Jazz pianist Bob James and the Bob James Quartet on May 3, 2014.

The CD features Bob James – Piano with Perry Hughes – Guitar, Clarence Penn – Drums and Nathaniel Phillips – Bass.  It includes 8 extended tracks from the concert including, Blues Down Under 6:56; The Jody Grind 7:25; Skidaway 9:46; Where are You/Downtown 8:49; Night Crawler 7:07; Nautilus 7:03; Westchester Lady 6:20; Angela/Someone to Watch Over Me; 10:45.

The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered by Jack Conners, Milliken Tech Director and features concert photography by Dave Dalquist. Production of the CD was made possible with a grant to the Dennos from the Begonia Charitable Foundation and managed by Sonny Abelardo.

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Sonny,

A few years ago, my wife Cindy and daughter, Chaia, saw Fourplay at Jazz Alley. I wasn’t able to make it for health reasons, but Cindy went, and Chaia took my place. They brought a gift for the guys, and you were so courteous and helpful; a real gentleman, and you made them feel so special. I will always be grateful for that!

This morning, in my morning devotions, I was listening to Fourplay, Live in Japan, and recalled that time, during Argentina, and many other times that I am grateful for in my life. It was a healing moment. I broke down, but it was a good breakdown!  I wanted to pass that along to you. It’s amazing what music can do.
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NAMM Yamaha Show: Jamie Cullum, Bob James, Nathan East, and Chris Gero perform at NAMM 2015, held in Nashville, Tennessee at the end of January.

February found Fourplay back together in the studio to record their 25th Anniversary album, Silver, at the place where it all began…Sunset Sound.

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