“Lee
has been at the forefront of Jazz guitar for
more than 3 decades and I've always thought
of him as a guitarist's guitarist. I was very
honored when he asked me to play on his "Twist
of Motown" CD and I congratulate him
on receiving the George Benson Lifetime Achievement
Award.” - Peter
White
“I
moved to Los Angeles in 1974 as a young and
impressionable kid. As soon as I got there
I wanted to study guitar. Everyone was talking
about Lee Ritenour, the hot, young session,
guitar player. I
called Lee up thinking he would tell me to
hit the road. To my astonishment we chatted
for a while and he invited me to the Baked
Potato where he played every Tuesday night.
The first Tuesday I saw him he was joined
by Harvey Mason on drums, Patrice Rushen on
piano, Will Weeks on bass and Earnie Watts
on sax. That night, I found my place in the
music industry. I heard playing that made
absolute sense to me. That was the way for
me to go. Lee helped me and told me what music
stores to shop at, where cool workshops were
happening and most of all made me feel welcome
whenever I went to see him play. He is truly
a mentor and one of the great guitarists in
the world today. Congrats Lee.” - Greg
Kavanagh
"Lee
Ritenour has influenced and inspired countless
musicians around the
world, myself being one of them. As an aspiring
artist, I would literally wear out his records.
I marveled at the writing, production, and
amazing artistry in his playing.” - Steve
Cole
“Lee,
your career has been an inspiration to many.
I really enjoyed the 'Twist of Jobim' record
you did and of course your production of GG's
PhatBand. Congratulations on the Lifetime
Achievement Award. I am looking forward to
hearing you in Toronto.” - Allisair
Elliott
“Lee
is a big inspiration for me not only is he
such a great guitarist, but I love his diversity
and the many styles he plays from pop to world
music and beyond. Congratulations Lee, and
thanks for all the great music, I can't wait
for your next project! All the best!”
- Steve Oliver
"When
I contacted Lee regarding an interview for
my book about Steely Dan's Aja, he jumped
at the chance. He went into great detail about
playing on the classic "Deacon Blues"
sessions, and gave me some important insights
into Becker and Fagen's methods. Not for a
second did he make me feel like he was pressed
for time, although the demands on his time
-- given his lofty position in contemporary
music -- must be crushing (he was at the top
of his game when Steely Dan hired him in 1977,
and he's still there today). Very friendly
indeed for a guitar god!" - Don
Breithaupt
"In
2001 I received a call from my record label saying that
Lee Ritenour was producing a Christmas compilation CD
and that I was invited to record a track for the project.
I was both excited to participate and nervous as hell.
Lee Ritenour; Captain Fingers, Guitar God, one of the
inventors of the format I was now a part of and of course,
my mentor. I flew to Lee’s studio in Los Angeles
to work on the track. I immediately discovered that Lee
was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. No ego,
no pretension, just a great guy who also happens to be
an extremely gifted great guy. Within minutes we were
laughing, getting silly and having a fantastic time making
music. It was a blast and Lee graciously made me feel
right at home. A brilliant talent is a rare and beautiful
thing, but when you pair it with a soulful person, you’ve
got a phenomenon…You’ve got Lee Ritenour! Lots
of love to you, Lee and congratulations on an award so
well deserved! Your fan always.” - Joyce
Cooling
"Lee
Ritenour is truly 'The Guitarists Guitarist'. Sometimes
it seems there is nothing this man can't accomplish
on the instrument. His work in the Jazz and Pop
and studio field is well documented, but when I
got my hands on the classical CD he made with Dave
Grusin a few years ago, I was listening to it in
my car and actually had to pull off the road and
call him on my cell phone. It was amazing! Did I
mention that he is a composer and producer par excellence?
Lee, your lifetime achievements are a lofty and
distant goal for the rest of us mere mortal guitar
guys. Kudos and big Hugs." - Chuck
Loeb
"The
first person to play me a Lee Ritenour CD was my
mom, the Slim Mom. She was a big fan, and she turned
me into a big fan. I loved those early CDs he did
with David Grusin, definitely the best contemporary
Jazz
around. And later on, it was a real privilege
for the Slim Men to share the stage with Fourplay,
one of the best bands in this format and his solo
stuff after Fourplay was killin' and chillin'.
Only one problem, Lee hasn't asked me to sing
on his CDs...yet! Congrats Lee!" - Slim
Man
"To
say Lee Ritenour is a guitar player would be an injustice.
Lee proved he was a guitar master long before he introduced
himself with his 1976 release 'First Course". He
had already played in-studio with the Mamas and the Papas
when he was a mere teenager, and was in high demand as
a studio guitarist before his first release. If you think
of musicians/artists whose talents have crossed over more
than 3 decades, a new century, and new millennium, you
realize what kind of company Lee is in, because there
simply isn't many who can lay claim to this kind of success,
especially in the smooth jazz guitar genre. One name comes
to mind, so its only fitting that Lee is honoured with
the George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th
Annual Wave 94.7 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards! To make
a list of favourites from Lee's album and singles collection
would be a fruitless effort, because they are all truly
great. Every song is written and performed with passion
and talent from deep within. It is the reason he has been
able to offer us a a new collection every year since his
debut, with a sound that remains fresh and invigorating.
Congratulations Lee on your much deserve award!"
- Stu Berketo - Wave 94.7 FM
"Perhaps
the greatest gift we as artists and members of the jazz community
share is that we all get to participate in the most delicious
aspect of life: using music's universal power to uplift humanity,
communicate across all cultures and make it groove...all at
the same time! Now, that’s a blessing!” - Freddie
Ravel
"Lee
Ritenour got it in the 70's, he was still the envy of many
in the 80's and 90's and now he's un-reachable". - Kari
Graham of Smooth Jazz Now.com
“Lee
has been at the forefront of Jazz guitar for
more than 3 decades and I've always thought
of him as a guitarist's guitarist. I was very
honored when he asked me to play on his "Twist
of Motown" CD and I congratulate him
on receiving the George Benson Lifetime Achievement
Award.” - Peter
White
“I
moved to Los Angeles in 1974 as a young and
impressionable kid. As soon as I got there
I wanted to study guitar. Everyone was talking
about Lee Ritenour, the hot, young session,
guitar player. I
called Lee up thinking he would tell me to
hit the road. To my astonishment we chatted
for a while and he invited me to the Baked
Potato where he played every Tuesday night.
The first Tuesday I saw him he was joined
by Harvey Mason on drums, Patrice Rushen on
piano, Will Weeks on bass and Earnie Watts
on sax. That night, I found my place in the
music industry. I heard playing that made
absolute sense to me. That was the way for
me to go. Lee helped me and told me what music
stores to shop at, where cool workshops were
happening and most of all made me feel welcome
whenever I went to see him play. He is truly
a mentor and one of the great guitarists in
the world today. Congrats Lee.” - Greg
Kavanagh
"Lee
Ritenour has influenced and inspired countless
musicians around the
world, myself being one of them. As an aspiring
artist, I would literally wear out his records.
I marveled at the writing, production, and
amazing artistry in his playing.” - Steve
Cole
“Lee,
your career has been an inspiration to many.
I really enjoyed the 'Twist of Jobim' record
you did and of course your production of GG's
PhatBand. Congratulations on the Lifetime
Achievement Award. I am looking forward to
hearing you in Toronto.” - Allisair
Elliott 
“Lee
is a big inspiration for me not only is he
such a great guitarist, but I love his diversity
and the many styles he plays from pop to world
music and beyond. Congratulations Lee, and
thanks for all the great music, I can't wait
for your next project! All the best!”
- Steve Oliver 
"When
I contacted Lee regarding an interview for
my book about Steely Dan's Aja, he jumped
at the chance. He went into great detail about
playing on the classic "Deacon Blues"
sessions, and gave me some important insights
into Becker and Fagen's methods. Not for a
second did he make me feel like he was pressed
for time, although the demands on his time
-- given his lofty position in contemporary
music -- must be crushing (he was at the top
of his game when Steely Dan hired him in 1977,
and he's still there today). Very friendly
indeed for a guitar god!" - Don
Breithaupt
"In
2001 I received a call from my record label saying that
Lee Ritenour was producing a Christmas compilation CD
and that I was invited to record a track for the project.
I was both excited to participate and nervous as hell.
Lee Ritenour; Captain Fingers, Guitar God, one of the
inventors of the format I was now a part of and of course,
my mentor. I flew to Lee’s studio in Los Angeles
to work on the track. I immediately discovered that Lee
was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. No ego,
no pretension, just a great guy who also happens to be
an extremely gifted great guy. Within minutes we were
laughing, getting silly and having a fantastic time making
music. It was a blast and Lee graciously made me feel
right at home. A brilliant talent is a rare and beautiful
thing, but when you pair it with a soulful person, you’ve
got a phenomenon…You’ve got Lee Ritenour! Lots
of love to you, Lee and congratulations on an award so
well deserved! Your fan always.” - Joyce
Cooling
"Lee
Ritenour is truly 'The Guitarists Guitarist'. Sometimes
it seems there is nothing this man can't accomplish
on the instrument. His work in the Jazz and Pop
and studio field is well documented, but when I
got my hands on the classical CD he made with Dave
Grusin a few years ago, I was listening to it in
my car and actually had to pull off the road and
call him on my cell phone. It was amazing! Did I
mention that he is a composer and producer par excellence?
Lee, your lifetime achievements are a lofty and
distant goal for the rest of us mere mortal guitar
guys. Kudos and big Hugs." - Chuck
Loeb
"The
first person to play me a Lee Ritenour CD was my
mom, the Slim Mom. She was a big fan, and she turned
me into a big fan. I loved those early CDs he did
with David Grusin, definitely the best contemporary
"To
say Lee Ritenour is a guitar player would be an injustice.
Lee proved he was a guitar master long before he introduced
himself with his 1976 release 'First Course". He
had already played in-studio with the Mamas and the Papas
when he was a mere teenager, and was in high demand as
a studio guitarist before his first release. If you think
of musicians/artists whose talents have crossed over more
than 3 decades, a new century, and new millennium, you
realize what kind of company Lee is in, because there
simply isn't many who can lay claim to this kind of success,
especially in the smooth jazz guitar genre. One name comes
to mind, so its only fitting that Lee is honoured with
the George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th
Annual Wave 94.7 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards! To make
a list of favourites from Lee's album and singles collection
would be a fruitless effort, because they are all truly
great. Every song is written and performed with passion
and talent from deep within. It is the reason he has been
able to offer us a a new collection every year since his
debut, with a sound that remains fresh and invigorating.
Congratulations Lee on your much deserve award!"
- Stu Berketo - Wave 94.7 FM
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"Perhaps
the greatest gift we as artists and members of the jazz community
share is that we all get to participate in the most delicious
aspect of life: using music's universal power to uplift humanity,
communicate across all cultures and make it groove...all at
the same time! Now, that’s a blessing!” - Freddie
Ravel
"Lee
Ritenour got it in the 70's, he was still the envy of many
in the 80's and 90's and now he's un-reachable". - Kari
Graham of Smooth Jazz Now.com