Results for "Fourplay"

Fourplay

For over 25 years the legend of Fourplay has grown.  Exploring the limitless possibilities of jazz has allowed the quartet to evolve musically, drawing musical elements from a wide range of styles, to hone their own unique and innovative sound.

The story begins in 1990, with keyboardist Bob James, who had already established himself as a formidable figure in jazz, known not just as an instrumentalist, also but as a composer and arranger, with a solo career dating back to the mid-1960s.

It was in 1990, when James decided to reunite with Harvey Mason during the recording of James’ album Grand Piano Canyon.  Mason, one of the most highly sought after drummers of all time (Herbie Hancock, Barbra Steisand, Notorious B.I.G.), was also well known as a composer and producer.  This project also included Lee Ritenour, and bassist Nathan East (Barry White, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Michael Jackson, Daft Punk).  This recording marked the genesis of the group known as Fourplay.

Bereket Abebe

Bereket Abebe, born in 1997, is a highly accomplished jazz bassist known for his funk, slap, and melodic playing style. Originally from Ethiopia, Bereket grew up surrounded by a rich church musical center, which heavily influenced his passion for jazz.

From a young age, Bereket was drawn to the deep, resonant sound of the bass and began learning the instrument in his early teens. He quickly excelled, impressing local musicians with his natural talent and ability to effortlessly hold down the rhythm section.

In his early twenties, Bereket moved to Addis Ababa City to pursue a career in jazz. He immersed himself in the city's vibrant jazz scene and began collaborating with some of the finest musicians in the genre. His intricate yet groovy bass lines became sought after, and he soon found himself in high demand for live performances and recording sessions.

Rain Sultanov: Putting Baku On The Jazz Map

by Ian Patterson
November 20, 2018

The Baku Jazz Festival has been a labor of love for its founder and Artistic Director, Rain Sultanov. And, like most love stories, there have been a few bumps along the road. Thirteen editions in, however, the Baku Jazz Festival is well established as one of the highpoints of Azerbaijan's annual cultural calendar. It mightn't draw ...

Bob James: Piano Player

by R.J. DeLuke
September 3, 2018

In a career that spans about five decades, Bob James has made an impact on a variety of musical genres. His roots are in jazz, but he has run the gamut from playing avant-garde jazz on the outer fringes--which he was doing when discovered by Quincy Jones--to composing and arranging for a variety of people in ...

Jazz Funk Soul (Loeb, Harp & Lorber): More Serious Business

by Jeff Winbush
March 6, 2016

Let's get two things out of the way first. First thing is Jazz Funk Soul is an awful name for a band. It sounds like the way records were categorized in a record store back in the Dark Ages when such things as record stores existed. Second thing is the second Jazz Funk Soul joint, More ...

Silver

By Fourplay

Label: Heads Up International
Released: 2015
Track listing: Quicksilver; Horace; Sterling; Silver Lining; Silverado; Mine; Silver Streak; Precious Metal; Aniversario; Windmill

Fourplay: Silver

by Jeff Winbush
November 22, 2015

Any band in any genre of music, be it rock, country, classical or jazz can't make it two and a half decades based solely on pure dumb luck. Fourplay defied the critics who dismissed them as pop schlock when they debuted in 1991 and shook off the haters who never thought they would still be here ...

Eric Marienthal and Chuck Loeb: Bridges

by Jeff Winbush
September 4, 2015

What happens when the guy manning the guitar seat in Fourplay meets up with the erstwhile sax guy for the Jeff Lorber Fusion? More than what you might expect. In fact, Eric Marienthal (the sax guy) and Chuck Loeb (the guitar guy) both defy and go beyond expectations on the surprisingly eclectic and entertaining Bridges. Marienthal ...

Catching Up With Nathan East

March 15, 2014

Nathan East is one of the world’s premiere session musicians. He’s perhaps best known as Eric Clapton’s favorite bassist, but that’s also Nathan East on Michael Jackson’s Bad and Daft Punk’s recent Grammy winning album. Of course he’s a founding member of the highly successful jazz group Fourplay. Some of his other credits include: Anita Baker, ...

2013 TD Ottawa Jazz Festival: Ottawa, Canada, June 21-26, 2013

by John Kelman
July 1, 2013

TD Ottawa Jazz FestivalOttawa, CanadaJune 20-July 1, 2013Having made the decision, in 2012, to broaden its stylistic purview to include not only music on the periphery of jazz, but artists with no real connection to the founding raison d'être of the festival, the 2013 TD Ottawa Jazz Festival continued to bring extracurricular music ...