This week's featured artist is guitarist Lee Ritenour. He is truly one of the the most productive and long lasting of the smooth jazz artists. The first record date for the then sixteen year old guitarist was with the group The Mamas and the Papas who gave him the nickname of Captain Fingers for his uncommon dexterity on the guitar. In much demand as a session player, he found work with Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, Natalie Cole, the Bee Gees, Quincy Jones, Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sergio Mendes.
In 1976 Ritenour began his solo recording career. In 1986 he won a Grammy Award for the song Early AM Attitude. During his lengthy career he has been nominated for a Grammy sixteen times. In 1991 he was one of the original artists that formed the very popular group Fourplay that was featured on our program 7. On this program I will play six of his outstanding songs. I hope you enjoy the work from this fabulous artist.
I will play Billboard’s top three songs in smooth jazz this week. We have a new number one.
Our segment featuring the absolute latest in smooth jazz, includes new 2018 releases from trumpeter Lin Rountree, pianist Dan Siegel, and saxophonist Marion Meadows.
Second hour is turn up the quiet time. Artists performing five in a row uninterrupted include Diana Krall, Boney James, Jeff Golub, Brian Simpson, and Cindy Bradley.
Another song from this year’s Grammy Award winning album Prototype from the Jeff Lorber Fusion.
Another song from Jim Brickman in anticipation of his April 20th appearance in Redding.
More songs from George Benson with guest Lee Ritenour, Dave Koz with guest Jonathan Butler, Earl Klugh, and another Jeff Lorber featuring a then unknown saxophone player Kenny Gorelick now known as Kenny G.
And don’t forget to catch the conclusion as we close with another listen to this week’s featured artist Lee Ritenour.
