Fourplay

While members of most bands grow into bandleaders themselves, Fourplay consists of four leaders who got together to form a band. Keyboardist Bob James, guitarist Lee Ritenour (later replaced by Larry Carlton on their album 4), bassist Nathan East, and drummer Harvey Mason are all stars and prime movers in the fields of smooth jazz and mainstream jazz fusion. Even while maintaining these successful careers however, they have banded together as Fourplay. In this configuration, they fold in elements of R&B, pop, and world music into the mix, occasionally inviting singers to share in the spotlight.