I don't know how often Lee Ritenour, Marcus Miller and George Duke have played together in the past, but at this taping they performed with energy, creativity and like they had been playing together for years.
Master guitarist and contemporary jazz legend Lee Ritenour, keyboardist George Duke and the phenomenal bassist/producer Marcus Miller perform together and share with me the musical progressions that led to the creation of the various sub-genres that we call “contemporary jazz.”
The trail ranges from the soul/r&b/funk inflected jazz beginning in the late 1950s into the ‘60s with artists like Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock and yours truly; the creation of Rock Fusion in the late 60s and into the 1970s by artists like Miles Davis, Weather Report and Chick Corea; the melding of pop and jazz in the 1980s with artists such as Spyro Gyra, the Yellowjackets, and Lee himself; and on into the Smooth Jazz era that characterizes contemporary jazz today.
George Duke – George Duke’s energetic sound combines the familiar influence of Miles Davis with an unpredictable edge that is uniquely his own. Early in his career, the George Duke Trio burned a path of excitement through the jazz world with a major European tour and an appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival. George won a GRAMMY Award for producing the Best Jazz Vocal Album, In The Moment, for Dianne Reeves, and has received countless other GRAMMY Award nominations for his producing efforts. With unstoppable energy and passion, George Duke continues to bring invention, dimension and texture to music that is alive with personality and rich with artistry. Check out www.georgeduke.com for more information.
Marcus Miller – Style, soul and intense professionalism have set Marcus Miller at the top of his game for well over two decades. With six solo CDs under his belt (including the GRAMMY Award-winning M2 and the highly acclaimed Silver Rain), this musical Renaissance man – a bassist, composer, producer, bandleader and multi-instrumentalist – has played an integral role in the careers of Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, David Sanborn and many other legendary artists. His brilliant bass can be heard on more than 400 CDs. He continues to astound lovers of jazz, R&B and funk the world over with his masterful, earthy, passionate approach to music making. Check out www.marcusmiller.com for more information.
Lee Ritenour – One of the world's leading jazz guitarists, the prolific Ritenour boasts three decades’ worth of truly accessible albums. Starting in 1976, he began a solo career which now includes more than 30 albums and collaborations reflecting his distinctive sound and fluid vocal style. He has performed alongside such artists as Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins and Pink Floyd. Ritenour has received 17 GRAMMY Award nominations; earned several gold albums, as well as numerous #1 spots in guitar polls; and received the prestigious Alumnus of the Year Award from the University of Southern California. Check out www.leeritenour.com for more information.
