A special thank you to Chris Gero and the Yamaha Corporation for Celebrating Fourplay’s 25th Anniversary, with Special guests Chaka Chan, Ruben Studdard, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Greg Phillinganes, Dave Delhomme, with master sound man Ken Freeman providing amazing sounds.

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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NASHVILLE, Tenn. March 20, 2015 —Bob James and Nathan East, two of the  founding members of the contemporary jazz group Fourplay, have announced the forthcoming debut of their duet album, to be released by Yamaha Entertainment Group of America this fall. Although they have recorded together for decades and each have released solo projects, this duet is a first for both.

The legendary, GRAMMY award-winning musicians plan to showcase the true essence of eclectic jazz through a combination of epic melodies and soulful tunes. James, a distinguished pianist, and East, an unparalleled bass player, are both known for the meticulousness and originality in their music.
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Masterfully “Cool”: An album unlike any other…
by

Bob James and Nathan East

“The New Cool,” an expansive acoustic offering centered on scholarly jazz piano and bass duets, will be released September 18, a first from the GRAMMY®-honored artists and long-time collaborators. 

 Nashville, Tennessee (7 July 2015): Albums just aren’t made like the way “The New Cool” was made. Yamaha Entertainment Group label president Chris Gero put legendary keyboardist Bob James and master bassist Nathan East in the recording studio, equipped them with state-of-the-art Yamaha gear and gave them free reign to create. Recorded entirely in Nashville, the long-time collaborators emerged with an unexpected and audacious collection of original compositions plus a few handpicked classics, an acoustic jazz outing that will make you forget everything you thought you knew about these GRAMMY®-recognized artists best known as contemporary jazz luminaries. The disc produced by Gero, James and East will be released September 18.
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Check out some exclusive behind the scenes moments from the recent recording of the
Bob James & Nathan East duet album!

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.

Bob James and Nathan East met up at NAMM at the end of January to get together with some friends. 

Held at the Anaheim Convention Center, the start studded weekend long event presented the opportunity for some terrific collaborations.

Including a special performance featuring Jamie Cullum, Bob James, Nathan East, and Chris Gero in on the act.

Check some of the photos from the show below!

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Nathan hanging with his brother & collaborator, Marcel East.

Lovin’ life & working on the new album!

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