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.
(continue reading…)

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.”
(continue reading…)

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

Celebrating 25 years of musical magic!

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

(continue reading…)

Fourplay’s Harvey Mason is nominated for Hall of Fame and Fusion in Modern Drummer’s 2015 Readers Poll.

Be sure to VOTE HERE TODAY!

Don’t miss your chance to experience a Night of Fourplay!

August 7 – 10

Seattle

Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley

Get your tickets now!

Monday July 24th

Blue Note

131 W. 3rd Street
New York, NY

Performances at 8:00 pm (20:00) & 10:30 pm (22:30)

Get Tickets Here!

Fourplay’s keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nathan East, drummer Harvey Mason, and guitarist Chuck Loeb make a stop at one of their favorite places —Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in downtown Seattle — August 7-10. The Grammy-nominated, contemporary jazz supergroup’s been in the middle of its “Night of Fourplay” tour world-wide to promote the 2012 hit recording Esprit De Four, with plans to record a silver anniversary album next.

Yesterday, East confirmed the recording plans: “We’re in the process of writing our next album, which will be a celebration of Fourplay’s Silver Anniversary! It’s hard to believe that it’s coming up on 25 years since our first release in 1991, but I guess time flies when you’re having fun.”

(continue reading…)