‘THE NEW COOL’ is the title of a new collaborative effort between one half of smooth jazz outfit, Fourplay…. pianist BOB
JAMES and bassist NATHAN EAST.

The idea for the album came from Chris Gero, head of the Yamaha Entertainment Group who invited East and James to Nashville to record with state-of-the-art Yamaha instruments. The duo accepted and came up with an audacious 11 tracker that might surprise those who know them chiefly via their work with Fourplay.

The music on ‘The New Cool’ is, well, way cooler… more straight ahead jazz than the smoother sounds that Fourplay are rightly famous for. That fact is evident from the start with the album’s title cut – pastoral piano wanderings engaging with meandering bass lines.

The album is largely a two hander though the strings of the Nashville Recording Orchestra star on several cuts – notably the cinematic ‘All Will Be Revealed’ which also features a touch of East’s celebrated vocalese. Then on the climatic ‘Turbulence’ and the Latino-flavoured ‘Canto Y Danza’ there’s welcome input from percussionist Rafael Padilla and drummer Scott Williamson.

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〈第14回 東京JAZZ〉で行なわれるプログラム“the HALL”ボブ・ジェームス＆東京フィルハーモニー交響楽団公演の詳細が決定、日本が誇るスーパー・ギタリストの渡辺香津美がスペシャル・ゲストで参加することが発表されました。この公演は9月5日（土）昼、東京・丸の内 国際フォーラム ホールAにて開催されます。

この日に演奏される楽曲は、ボブ・ジェームスが被災地大船渡を訪問した際にインスピレーションを受け、復興への祈りを込めて書き下ろした大作、「Concerto for Piano & Orchestra」、同じく世界初演の書き下ろし曲「One Afternoon」、そして大胆なアレンジで話題を集めた「禿山の一夜」。

2011年の東日本大震災後から“音楽を通じて困難に立ち向かう人々を勇気づけたい”と国内外でさまざまな復興支援活動をおこなってきたジェームスが、〈東京JAZZ〉で世界初披露するために作曲したコンチェルトをはじめ、渡辺香津美がゲスト参加する「禿山の一夜」など、〈東京JAZZ〉でしか聴けないスペシャルなプログラムです。

また国際フォーラムの地上広場で開催される“the PLAZA”にはトビアス・プライシク・カルテット（スイス）、バーブラ・リカ（カナダ）をはじめ、9月6日（日）には現代ジャズ・ギターのカリスマ、カート・ローゼンウィンケルのソロ公演も決定！見逃せないプログラムが続々と発表されています。詳細は〈東京JAZZ〉の公式サイト（www.tokyo-jazz.com）をご覧ください。

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Fourplay Celebrates 25th Anniversary with “Silver” Third album by group to feature guitarist Chuck Loeb

The contemporary jazz quartet Fourplay will celebrate its 25th anniversary with the Nov. 20 release of Silver (Concord), the third album to feature the group’s newest member, guitarist Chuck Loeb. Loeb joins original members bassist Nathan East, keyboardist Bob James and drummer Harvey Mason. Silver also features special guest appearances from guitarists Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour, both early members of the group, and saxophonist Kirk Whalum.

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Contemporary jazz supergroup Fourplay celebrates their 25th anniversary with their most wide-ranging and gratifying recording to date.

Silver is the third album to feature the group’s newest member, guitarist Chuck Loeb.  Here he joins the all-star lineup of bassist Nathan East, keyboardist Bob James and drummer Harvey Mason. Silver features special guest appearances from guitarists Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour and saxophonist Kirk Whalum.

Following the theme of the occasion, most of the 10 new original compositions comprising Silver play off of the anniversary, bearing titles such as “Sterling,” “Precious Metal” and “A Silver Lining.” Just like its namesake, Silver shines, each track a brilliant example of what has made this formidable ensemble—each of whom also has a highly successful career outside of the band—one of the most respected in the jazz world.

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In general terms, an anniversary like 25 years, is a good occasion to assess where the band came from, where it’s at now, where it’s going in the future, and all the roads joining those three musical locations.

With this album we took the opportunity to share these in a musically with all the wonderful friends & fans that we have throughout the world.  It’s inspiring to know that they’ve been on the same journey along with us.

As the newest member of the band (it’s my fifth year anniversary), I am able to understand why these particularly unique group of musicians have enjoyed such longevity, both from a distance as a fan, and as a member.  When a sports team wins a championship, or has enduring success, people always talk of the ‘chemistry’ amongst the players.  This is very much the same in music.  Nathan, Bob, Harvey, and Lee had an immediate musical DNA, which evolved with Larry, and then with myself.  It always amazes me when I bring in a song for the band to try, because as soon as we play it as a group, it takes on that unique ‘Fourplay sound’.

There’s also a shared mutual respect, and a very high level of fun when we get together to make music. This shows in the end result.  It is hard for a member of the band to try to objectively assess the impact Fourplay might have on the history of jazz.  However, in looking at it from the perspective I had as an early listener & fan, I would say that this group weaves sophistication, subtle complexity, and an impressive wealth of musical experience into a very popular musical format, as a true fusion of four musical perspectives. (continue reading…)

FOURPLAY CELEBRATES THEIR 25^TH ANNIVERSARY WITH THEIR MOST WIDE-RANGING AND GRATIFYING RECORDING TO DATE

 Silver set for release November 20, 2015

Longevity among jazz groups is a surprisingly rare commodity. With relatively few exceptions, a run of a few years, at most, is standard; for a collective of jazz musicians to stick together for a decade or more is almost unheard of. That puts Fourplay, who celebrates their 25^th anniversary this year, in a league of their own. Since 1990, bassist Nathan East, keyboardist Bob James, guitarist Chuck Loeb (who joined five years ago) and drummer Harvey Mason have continued to explore together, their efforts resulting in what All Music Guide called one of “the most intuitive, forward-thinking and focused groups in modern jazz.”

On Silver, set for release November 20, 2015 on Heads Up, a division of Concord Music Group, Fourplay celebrates that unprecedented bond with their most wide-ranging and gratifying recording to date. Following the theme of the occasion, most of the 10 new original compositions comprising Silver play off of the anniversary, bearing titles such as “Sterling,” “Precious Metal” and “A Silver Lining.” Just like its namesake, Silver shines, each track a brilliant example of what has made this formidable ensemble—each of whom also has a highly successful career outside of the band—one of the most respected in the jazz world.
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Bob James, a stylistically broad keyboardist and composer who helped lay the groundwork for smooth jazz, teamed up with a regular partner, the bassist Nathan East, for “The New Cool,” a duo album coming in the fall. For this week long run, Mr. James leads a touring band with Perry Hughes on guitar, Carlitos del Puerto on bass, and Clarence Penn on drums.

8:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.

Blue Note
131 West Third Street
Greenwich Village
212-475-8592
bluenote.net

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Keyboardist Bob James and bassist Nathan East will release their first collabotrative outside of the group Fourplay album, The New Cool, Sept. 18 via Yamaha Entertainment Group. 

The recording, recorded in Nashville, was made using Yamaha gear exclusively. Produced by Chris Gero, the album consists of all-new original material and a few covers, including a version of Willie Nelson’s “Crazy” sung by country star Vince Gill. East and James, along with drummer Harvey Mason and guitarist Chuck Loeb, will also release a new Fourplay album later this year.

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Piano and bass. Bob James and Nathan East. Fusion jazz with soft character? Of course we are aware of the flexibility of the two warriors-the bassist participated in Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” that garnered attention – but both gentlemen met and stepped into the studio to record a series of duo jazz adventures was not expected. And they adorned some of their music with the lavish soundscapes of Nashville Recording Orchestra in generous manner or invited other guests in the inner circle studio. “The New Cool” promises a lot – from September we will know more.

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