Premier smooth jazz outfit Fourplay have been in business since 1991 when keyboard doyen Bob James set to work with drummer Harvey Mason, bassist Nathan East and guitarist Lee Ritenour to craft an album which successfully blended jazz with soul, R&B and pop. The success of that self-titled set encouraged the foursome to continue and though there’s been the odd personnel change (Larry Carlton replaced Ritenour in the mid 90s and Chuck Loeb replaced Carlton in 2010) the Fourplay sound remains essentially the same – that gentle, often soporific mix of light jazz and soul grooves that proved so effective back in ’91.

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Esprit de Four explores the place where four unique perspectives become a single creative force…

Featuring “Put Our Hearts Together,” Bob James’ tribute to the victims of the devastating tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011.

When it comes to making music, four is often the magic number. From the Beatles to MJQ, many legendary quartets have made their mark in the classical, pop and jazz traditions. Maybe it’s the idea of four talented individuals, each approaching the other three from a unique perspective – like inspired travelers hailing from equidistant coordinates on a map – and bringing all of their talents to bear at a single point. Maybe it’s just the sheer mathematical symmetry and balance of the number itself. (continue reading…)

Bob James and Seiko at Landmark Studio

Fourplay had the privilege to bring in the New Year for 2012 with our friends at the Blue Note Tokyo.  It was a tremendous experience, and left us with some wonderful memories of the friends we make every time we visit Japan.  Below are some photos from behind the scenes… (continue reading…)

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This charity recording project, named “Jazz For Japan,” was conceived by Larry Robinson, a former jazz drummer and now CEO of Avatar Records.

“I told them that many of the American Jazz musicians tour Japan numerous times a year,” he explained. “It was at that moment the seeds of Jazz For Japan were born. Within five days we called all our jazz friends and put together this truly amazing line up of musicians to record at Hollywood’s famous Capitol Recording Studio who all donated their time.”, says Robinson.

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Fourplay has sold out it’s April tour of the east coast.  Every show of the tour is sold out, and all proceeds from T-shirt sales will go to benefit our friends, family, and fans in Japan.  The proceeds will go to provide bottled water for those who are facing the struggle of survival in the aftermath of the tsunami.

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Fourplay held down the Blue Note, Tokyo from December 5 – 8, 2010, giving chilled out Jazz performances perfectly suited for the legendary Blue Note.

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