Have You Heard What Happened To Fourplay?

About this video

• Video Title: Have You Heard What Happened To Fourplay?
• Channel: Hollywood Revealed
• Speakers: [No speakers named in transcript]
• Duration: 00:34:14

Overview

This video explores the complex history and eventual fading of the smooth jazz supergroup Fourplay. It delves into the internal dynamics, creative differences, and personal ambitions of its members – Bob James, Lee Ritenour, Nathan East, and Harvey Mason – revealing that behind their polished sound lay tensions that ultimately contributed to their decline.

Key takeaways

• Formation of a Supergroup: Fourplay was formed in the early 1990s by Bob James, who brought together guitarist Lee Ritenour, bassist Nathan East, and drummer Harvey Mason, aiming to elevate contemporary jazz.
• Initial Success: Their debut album achieved platinum status, a rarity in jazz, establishing them as a major force in the genre and leading to sold-out tours.
• Internal Tensions: Despite external success, internal conflicts arose due to creative differences between members, Bob James's desire for control, and individual members' ambitions and career demands.
• Member Departures: Lee Ritenour was the first to leave in 1997 due to creative and personal conflicts, replaced by Larry Carlton. Nathan East departed in 2014 to focus on his solo career, and Harvey Mason remained as the constant member until the band's eventual fade.
• Genre Decline: The diminishing popularity of smooth jazz in the music industry contributed significantly to the band's reduced relevance and eventual quiet disbandment in the 2010s.