Fourplay: Pioneers of Contemporary Jazz

Fourplay is an American contemporary jazz supergroup, renowned for its sophisticated blend of smooth jazz, R&B, and pop sensibilities. Formed in 1990, the quartet has become one of the genre's most enduring and commercially successful acts, with multiple albums topping the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.

Early career

The group's genesis came from a collaboration between three established session legends: keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nathan East, and drummer Harvey Mason. Their work on James's 1990 album "Grand Piano Canyon" led to the formal creation of a band, initially named "The Bob James Trio Plus One." The "plus one" was guitarist Lee Ritenour, who completed the original lineup and co-produced their debut.

Breakthrough

Fourplay's self-titled debut album, released in 1991 on Warner Bros. Records, was an immediate and massive success. The album soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, where it remained for an impressive 33 weeks, and was certified gold. This instant commercial and critical acclaim firmly established the new supergroup as a major force in the genre.

Key tracks

After the Dance — This cover of the Marvin Gaye classic, featuring vocals by East, became a signature smooth jazz radio hit and a centerpiece of their debut.

Bali Run — An iconic instrumental track from their debut that showcases the group's impeccable, groove-oriented chemistry and melodic accessibility.

Between the Sheets — A sleek, romantic instrumental from their 1993 album of the same name, further cementing their signature sound and radio dominance.

Chant — A dynamic and complex track from 1995's "Elixir" that highlights the group's virtuosic chops beyond their smoother radio hits.

The band experienced a significant lineup change in 1998 when guitarist Larry Carlton replaced Lee Ritenour, bringing a bluesier edge to their sound for over a decade. In 2010, another shift occurred as jazz guitar virtuoso Chuck Loeb joined, contributing to albums like "Esprit" and "Silver" before his passing in 2017. The group has continued to record and perform, releasing "Energy Follows Thought" in 2023 with guitarist Jacob Collier, demonstrating their ongoing relevance. Their consistent output has resulted in a catalog of over a dozen studio albums, nearly all of which have achieved top-five status on the contemporary jazz charts.

Fans of Fourplay's polished, melodic approach to jazz fusion should also explore the work of similar artists. Bob James is a founding member whose solo work defines the smooth jazz genre. Lee Ritenour offers a similar blend of jazz, pop, and Brazilian influences from his tenure with the group and his extensive solo career. Larry Carlton brings the renowned session guitarist's distinctive blues-inflected style heard on his solo projects and his years with Fourplay. Spyro Gyra shares a parallel history as a long-running ensemble crafting accessible, instrumental jazz-pop hits since the 1970s.

The sophisticated sounds of Fourplay are a staple on smooth jazz and contemporary jazz radio stations worldwide. Their extensive catalog of hits and albums ensures regular rotation on dedicated jazz FM stations and online radio streams that feature instrumental and vocal adult contemporary music.

Listeners can explore the rich musical legacy of Fourplay by tuning into the contemporary jazz stations featured on our website. Discover their timeless tracks and latest recordings through the curated radio stations available on onairium.com.