Larry Carlton Leaves Fourplay, Chuck Loeb Steps In February 18, 2010 – The Smooth Jazz super-group Fourplay is evolving to their 3rd stage. Legendary guitarist Larry Carlton is leaving the band and his replacement will be Chuck Loeb. It’s sad to see Larry go but lets’s remember Chuck Loeb is one of the most underrated guitarists on the planet.
Stage one of the band featured original guitarist Lee Ritenour. Here is the official statement from the band;
Fourplay has had the distinct privilege of enjoying the past 12 years of its 20 year history with legendary guitarist Larry Carlton.
As Larry takes his leave to delve further into his solo career, the band extends their heartfelt gratitude for his contributions and wishes him continued success in all his pursuits.
Larry Carlton will remain an integral part of our musical family & legacy.
Fourplay now welcomes its newest member, multi-faceted virtuoso guitarist, Chuck Loeb.
His musical contributions will undoubtedly enhance the creativity and pursuit of excellence Fourplay has enjoyed in the studio and on the stage.
Fourplay thanks its many loyal fans and promises that this latest incarnation will inspire the band to explore new avenues of creativity while maintaining its core musical values. - by John Beaudin
Larry Carlton Receiving Guitar Player's Prestigious Award July 28, 2008 - Famous guitarist and composer Larry Carlton recently received the prestigious Guitar Player's magazine "Lifetime Achievement Award". A great recognition for an acclaimed musician who started his rich career as a session guitarist with great musicians ( Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr., Herb Alpert and Quincy Jones among many others).
He has recorded under his name since 1978.
The eclectic guitarist recently celebrated his 60th birthday and in June his guitar solo on Steely Dan's Kid Charlemagne made Rolling Stones' list of 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time. Carlton is also a member of the famous Smooth Jazz super-group Fourplay (Bob James, Larry Carlton, Harvey Mason and Nathan East.) They are set to release a new album "Energy" due to hit the streets on September 23, 2008 on the famous crossover Jazz label "Heads Up"
Anita Baker will also release a holiday album with Blue Note.
"Christmas Fantasy" hits stores October
4th, and will feature appearances by Joe
Sample, Larry
Carlton, Nathan East, Ricky
Lawson, and all four members of The
Yellowjackets. Barry Eastman, who co-produces
here, also wrote three original tunes for the outing.
Fourplay
Continues 'Journey' On June 22 June
2, 2004 - Fourplay has finally given in to the digital world. The
supergroups new album 'Journey' to be released
June 22 will be their first full digital album
after recording in analog for so many years. The
groups eight album will be released on RCA Bluebird
featuring the same line-up for the band since
1998 keyboardist Bob
James, bassist/vocalist Nathan East, guitarist Larry Carlton and drummer Harvey Mason. 'Journey' will only
have one cover, Sting's 'Fields of Gold.' Longtime
producer Don Murray was behind the controls again.
Fourplay has scheduled eighteen shows from August
to November.
Fourplay
Finishes New Album March
30, 2004 - Smooth Jazz super group Fourplay have finally finished their new album. Harvey
Mason, Larry
Carlton, Bob
James and Nathan East (pictured Left to right)
recorded the album at Firehouse Studio in L.A.
On their official website www.fourplayjazz.com bassist extraordinaire East said, "We had
fun in the studio swinging, playing funk, jazz,
hip and pop combining elements that I think will
serve up a record that can be enjoyed by a wide
range of listeners." East who again appears
on the latest Eric
Clapton album, the Bluesy "Me and Mr.
Johnson." says there will be vocals on the
new Fourplay CD, "The band continues to push
me to sing more which I had the opportunity to
do on this recording. Fourplay is such a creative
outlet for me and I look forward to presenting
this new record to our listeners!"
Larry
Carlton's Journey To The Blues
August,
21, 2003 - We Larry Carlton fans are a dedicated
bunch, almost expecting the guitarist to reinvent
himself every few years or at least mix the recipe
up a bit. We love him no matter what he does and
after so many years of fantastic playing he certainly
earned that honor. His latest album "Sapphire
Blue" is a purely Blues affair featuring Mark
Douthit on sax, Billy Kilson on drums, Reese Wynan
of "Double Trouble" on keys. Released
in July on JVC in Asia "Sapphire" oddly
enough is not available to North America and so
far no release date has been announced. You may
be able to hear some of the album live this summer.
Carlton has been doing some summer gigs having recently
introduced some Blues numbers in L.A., Milwaukee
and Reno.
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Sacramento Loses Their Smooth Jazz KSSJ 94.7 March 5, 2010 – Smooth Jazz has gone dark in Sacramento. Entercom Communications, owners of Smooth Jazz KSSJ 94.7 FM pulled the plug on the station this week. More
Now 3 Chances to Win “Classic Smooth Jazz 6 Packs” February 27, 2010 – Smooth Jazz Now wants to thank you for listening. Starting Monday March 1st listen for your name andyou could win some of the biggest albums in Smooth Jazz history. More
In Conversation with U-NAM on his latest CD ‘Unanimity’ February 23, 2010 - French Smooth Jazz guitar sensation Emmanuel Abitebol, more known as U-NAM, came to fame with his widely acclaimed somophore album ‘Back from the 80’s’ released in 2007. More
Sade Is Queen Again February 23, 2010 – The new Sade album is kicking some serious butt on the charts. After a 10 year break the sultry singer is back on top of the Billboard Album Charts with “Soldier of Love.” It sold over 500 thousand in its first week of release. More
Record Numbers of Votes Registered for the 6th Annual Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards February 22, 2010 – The annual Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards ballot count ending last Friday (Feb. 19) reflects a dramatic increase in voter interest. Awards co-chair, Mary Kirk, of Wave 94.7FM says, “Thank you to the huge number of fans from all over the world who took time to send in their ballots.” More
In Conversation with Paula Atherton February 19 - 2010 - Smooth Jazz female sax players are not numerous, but there is a collection of talented performers such as Candy Dulfer, Jessy J and Paula Atherton among others. Mrs. Atherton does not only perform sax and other horn instruments, she is also a consummate singer. Read the interview
February 18, 2010 – The Smooth Jazz super-group Fourplay is evolving to their 3rd stage. Legendary guitarist Larry Carlton is leaving the band and his replacement will be 
September
28, 2005 - Smooth Jazz artists 
June
2, 2004 - 
March 5, 2010 – Smooth Jazz has gone dark in Sacramento. Entercom Communications, owners of Smooth Jazz KSSJ 94.7 FM pulled the plug on the station this week. 
February 27, 2010 – Smooth Jazz Now wants to thank you for listening. Starting Monday March 1st listen for your name andyou could win some of the biggest albums in Smooth Jazz history
February 23, 2010 - French Smooth Jazz guitar sensation Emmanuel Abitebol, more known as U-NAM, came to fame with his widely acclaimed somophore album ‘Back from the 80’s’ released in 2007. 
February 23, 2010 – The new Sade album is kicking some serious butt on the charts. After a 10 year break the sultry singer is back on top of the Billboard Album Charts with “Soldier of Love.” It sold over 500 thousand in its first week of release. 
February 22, 2010 – The annual Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards ballot count ending last Friday (Feb. 19) reflects a dramatic increase in voter interest. Awards co-chair, Mary Kirk, of Wave 94.7FM says, “Thank you to the huge number of fans from all over the world who took time to send in their ballots.” 
February 19 - 2010 - Smooth Jazz female sax players are not numerous, but there is a collection of talented performers such as Candy Dulfer, Jessy J and Paula Atherton among others. Mrs. Atherton does not only perform sax and other horn instruments, she is also a consummate singer.