Fourplay

Infobox musical artist |
Name = Fourplay


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = USA
Genre = Smooth jazz
Years_active = 1991 –
Label = Warner Bro. (1991 – 2000)
Bluebird (2002 – 2007)
Heads Up (2008 - )
Associated_acts =
URL = http://www.fourplayjazz.com
Current_members = Bob James (keyboards; 1990 – )
Nathan East (Bass, vocals; 1990 – )
Harvey Mason (drums; 1990 – )
Larry Carlton (guitar; 1998 – )
Past_members = Lee Ritenour (guitar; 1990 – 1997)

Fourplay is a contemporary jazz group in the United States. The original members of the group were Bob James (keyboards), Lee Ritenour (guitars), Nathan East (bass), and Harvey Mason (drums). In 1998, Lee Ritenour left the group and Fourplay chose Larry Carlton as his replacement.

Grammy-nominated supergroup Fourplay has enjoyed consistent artistic and commercial success by grafting elements of R&B and pop to their unwavering jazz foundations. In a span of seventeen years and ten albums, the quartet has continued to explore the limitless dimensions and permutations of jazz while at the same time appealing to a broad mainstream audience.

Their first record, 1991's "Fourplay", sold over a million copies and remained at the number one position on Billboard's contemporary jazz charts for 33 weeks. Their next LP, 1993's "Between the Sheets", reached number one, went gold, and received a Grammy nomination. In 1995, their third gold album, "Elixir", also reached the number one position and remained on the charts for more than 90 weeks.

“Fourplay has been a formidable and high-profile entity in contemporary jazz for almost two decades, with a track record of musical innovation that speaks for itself,” says Dave Love, President of Heads Up International. “Each artist in the band’s lineup is an immense talent in his own right, but the synergy of all four players adds up to an even greater whole. We’re very excited to have them on the Heads Up roster, and we’re very much looking forward to a great record this year (2008).

Fourplay received a Congressional Record from the United States Congress, House of Representatives recognizing them as a distinguished members of the music industry. The award was presented by A. Robert Brown, Sr., Advisor to Congressman Ed Towns of New York at a Fourplay performance in Philadelphia. Fourplay is the only musical group in history to be recognized by the U.S. Congress. (2007)

Discography

Albums

Albumstabel
- align=center
align=left|" Fourplay "|| 1991 || align=left| Warner Bros.
- align=center "
align=left|" Between the Sheets "|| 1993 || align=left| Warner Bros.
- align=center "
align=left|" Elixir "|| 1995 || align=left| Warner Bros.
- align=center "
align=left|" The Best of Fourplay "|| 1997 || align=left| Warner Bros.
- align=center "
align=left|" 4 "|| 1998 || align=left| Warner Bros.
- align=center "
align=left|" Snowbound "|| 1999 || align=left| Warner Bros.
- align=center "
align=left|" Yes, Please "|| 2000 || align=left| Warner Bros.
- align=center "
align=left|" Heartfelt "|| 2002 || align=left| Bluebird
- align=center "
align=left|" Journey "|| 2004 || align=left| Bluebird
- align=center
align=left|" X "|| 2006 || align=left| Bluebird
- align=center
align=left|" Energy "|| 2008 || align=left| Heads Up

External links

* [http://www.fourplayjazz.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/fourplay10 Fourplay on Myspace]