Growing up in L.A. in the 60's, Grammy award winning guitarist Lee Ritenour received a rich cross section of exposure to jazz, rock and Brazilian music. From one of his first sessions at 16 with the Mamas and Papas to accompanying Lena Horne and Tony Bennett at 18, his forty year eclectic and storied career is highlighted by a Grammy Award win for his 1986 collaboration with Dave Grusin, Harlequin; 17 Grammy nominations; numerous #1 spots in guitar polls and the prestigious "Alumnus of the Year" award from USC. He has recorded over 40 albums, with 35 chart songs, notably the Top 15 hit "Is It You," which has become a contemporary jazz radio classic. In the 90s, Ritenour was a founding member of Fourplay, the most successful band in contemporary jazz, with keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason. The first Fourplay album in 1991 spent an unprecedented 33 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart. Adding to this legacy is his latest CD Smoke ‘n' Mirrors; the recently completed Grammy nominated recording Amparo, (a follow-up with Dave Grusin to their highly-successful 2001 Grammy Award nominated contemporary classical crossover CD) and producer of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band's latest CD Act Your Age (which is nominated for 3 Grammys.
It's been a long road since the seventies, when Ritenour's legendary Tuesday night appearances at the famed Baked Potato, with a band including Dave Grusin, Patrice Rushen, Harvey Mason and Ernie Watts became part of the musical landscape for five years. Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Joe Sample, and even Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell could be seen in the audiences that would pack the house till the wee hours of the morning. From rock to blues to jazz, his diverse music became the foundation of over 3,000 sessions as a young guitarist with a broad spectrum of artists such as Pink Floyd (The Wall), Steely Dan (Aja), Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, B.B. King, Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Ray Charles, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin and Barbra Streisand. Not to forget the dazzling array of talent appearing on his solo works and collaborations, notably-- Phil Collins, Brazilian greats Ivan Lins, Caetano Veloso, Djavan and Jao Bosco, George Benson, Chaka Kahn, Herbie Hancock, Michael McDonald and opera great Renee Fleming.
Lee Ritenour & I after his concert Lee’s playing his Les Paul
Lee Ritenour has been my idol of mine for over 35 years now and when I finally got the opportunity to meet him face-to-face, I was like a teenager. Lee is a very down to earth individual with a great sense of humor. Since that time, we have tried to catch his show as often as possible. The last time was just a few months back on April 9th when he played the Blues Alley Jazz Club venue in Georgetown, (Washington, DC) which is a very intimate setting that is fabulous for the audience.
Of course, we worked our way to the front row seats; directly in front of Lee, which allowed me to be able to get first hand views of his equipment and his arsenal of guitars; especially the very unique Yamaha SLG130NW Classical Style Silent Guitar (see photos below).
LEE RITENOUR’S 6 STRING THEORY
It’s hard to believe that 2010 marks 50 years since Lee Ritenour starting playing the guitar, setting in motion a career that legends are made of. On his latest endeavor, 6 STRING THEORY, Ritenour celebrates the instrument that has allowed him this blessing, the guitar; —by producing and assembling a star-studded tribute with 20 of the greatest and soon- to- be greatest guitarists of our time. Incorporating all of his history, from jazz and classical to rock and blues, from acoustic to electric, Lee Ritenour’s 6 String Theory promises to be one of the greatest guitar recordings ever made!
LEE RITENOUR’S 6 STRING THEORY / PRESS PHOTOS
Lee Ritenour, or Captain Fingers as he often goes by is just one of the most incredible guitarists I ever had the pleasure of hearing LIVE let alone meeting in person more than once. I admire his lifestyle and how his music ability has taken him all over the world and has allowed him the opportunity to meet some of the most interesting and incredibly talented individuals that I could ever imagine. His talent for playing the guitar and writing music scores is unbelievable and even after 50 years of playing that instrument, he finds ways to impress me with new licks and phrases in his songs. WOW !
I hope you appreciate Lee’s talent as much as I do and check out one of his 30+ CD’s. If you want to hear a sampling of his music before buying, check out my Music Widget and start listening. I know you’ll love his style. Thanks again for joining me, have a nice evening and don’t forget to give your kids a hug. Until next time;
Bob
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