It may surprise fans of contemporary jazz that Fourplay is still going strong after 20 years. However, Nathan East, the band’s bassist and occasional vocalist, might beg to differ, “given the fact that we all have such mutual admiration for [each other], playing together, hanging together.”

You can thank pianist Bob James’ long-standing custom of working with countless other musicians for the germination of the all-star band that plays the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild’s Jazz Hall on Saturday, touring behind its latest release, last year’s “Let’s Touch the Sky.”

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