Fourplay — Newport Jazz Festival, 2000

Full concert capture of Fourplay live at the Newport Jazz Festival, filmed on 12 August 2000 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island, USA. This live performance features the smooth jazz supergroup in its turn-of-the-millennium line-up: keyboardist Bob James, guitarist Larry Carlton (who had replaced Lee Ritenour in 1998), bassist and vocalist Nathan East, and drummer Harvey Mason. The setlist runs through the quartet’s catalogue, opening with “Chant” and closing on “Midnight Stroll,” by way of “Moonjogger,” “Charmed, I’m Sure,” “101 Eastbound,” “Robo Bop,” “Double Trouble” and “Blues Force.” This full concert documents Fourplay’s signature approach: polished arrangements, close instrumental interplay and a balance between composition and improvisation. Captured at the oldest jazz festival in the United States, the recording offers a clear view of how the band worked on stage in 2000. It is a useful reference for followers of smooth jazz and of the individual careers of Bob James, Larry Carlton, Nathan East and Harvey Mason. A complete live concert to watch from start to finish.