A Destiny with the Strings

Born in Hollywood in 1952, Lee felt a “natural attraction to the strings” as early as age four, when he started plucking rubber bands on broomsticks. By age seven, he says, “I was stuck with it,” and at thirteen, his father introduced him to the music of Wes Montgomery, which “really stuck, right from the beginning”.

A founding father of contemporary jazz guitar, his versatility is rooted in a formal, classical foundation. Ritenour has shared that his early discipline allowed him to “devour” rock and roll and pop while maintaining the surgical precision that became his trademark. As he describes it:

“I was classically trained. I had a lot of jazz studies and devoured rock and roll and pop… I was always attracted to the whole package”.

A Legacy of Versatility and Collaborative Spirit

Ritenour’s career is a remarkable study in musical exploration—whether he’s working as a sought-after session player or leading collaborative projects.

• The Session Ace: He has contributed to nearly 2,000 recordings, working with artists ranging from Pink Floyd and Steely Dan to Quincy Jones and Barbra Streisand.
• A “Solid Group Sound”: As a founding member of Fourplay, Lee relished the band’s unique dynamic, noting that while each member had a distinctive solo style, “something special happened when we merged those together… the whole was definitely greater than the sum of its parts”.
• Music of the Mind and Heart: Lee views his instruments as having distinct voices. He has noted that the acoustic guitar offers a “more lyrical, romantic sound” perfect for Brazilian styles, while the electric guitar is “more cutting” and inspires “intense, rhythm-oriented jazz-rock”.

Evolution and Mentorship (The Modern Era)

Lee continues to find new ways to express his artistry and give back to the musical community:

• Returning to the Source (2024): This past year, Lee reunited with his longtime collaborator Dave Grusin for their newest album, Brasil, a vibrant conversation between American and Brazilian jazz.
• A “First” at 68: In 2020, Lee released Dreamcatcher—his first-ever purely solo guitar album, a deeply personal project written after the loss of his home and vintage guitar collection in the California wildfires.
• Mentoring the Future: Since 2010, his Six String Theory Competition has become a global phenomenon, discovering and mentoring the next generation of musical prodigies from over 170 countries.

The “Wes Bound” Spirit

One of the most significant moments in Lee’s career was his 1993 tribute to his hero, Wes Montgomery. For Lee, making the album Wes Bound was a “labor of love” and a chance to make a formidable acoustic statement. It serves as a reminder that no matter how far he travels into fusion or pop, his heart remains with the pure, melodic jazz that first inspired him as a teen.

Lee Live

In 2017, my son and I saw Captain Fingers in concert at the Folly Theater in Kansas City. In addition to the emotional impact of our first father-son jazz show, it was wonderful hearing what selections he had from such a lasting career. He did a “jazz talk” interview before the performance, which lent an additional personal aspect to the night. After the show, the band (which included Patrice Rushen and Wesley Ritenour) sat and greeted fans.

Happy birthday, Captain Fingers!

The post Happy Birthday, Captain Fingers! Celebrating Lee Ritenour appeared first on ContemporaryJazz.com.

It certainly can be challenging. Fatherhood, at its best, is an improvisation. It’s listening, responding, adapting, and showing up — even when the rhythm changes. And that spirit is reflected in two recent jazz recordings that celebrate the bond between parent and child, each in their own way.

Geoff Mann’s Underground: A Tribute to His Father’s Classic Album

Drummer and composer Geoff Mann is working on a full-length tribute to his father Herbie Mann’s 1969 popular fusion album Memphis Underground. The first single, “Memphis Underground,” was released on April 16, 2025 – what would’ve been Herbie Mann’s 95th birthday. The track feels like a conversation between past and present. Geoff preserves the core groove of the original while pushing it forward with modern textures, featuring artists like Latin GRAMMY-winning flautist Domenica Fossati and Marcos Garcia of Antibalas.

“This album is a love letter to my father, to the musicians who created the original, and to the idea that music can evolve across generations,” Geoff says. “The original Memphis Underground was a radical blend of voices and backgrounds. I’ve tried to approach this tribute with that same spirit of creative risk and reverence.”

It’s soulful, gritty, and rooted in deep respect. Geoff even picked up the flute for the first time after completing the project, a testament to how legacy can still inspire new beginnings.

Nathan & Noah East: Father Son as a Musical Dialogue

Meanwhile, bass legend Nathan East has teamed up with his pianist son Noah for Father Son, their first full collaboration album — one that is as heartfelt as it is musically rich. Released in April 2025, the album showcases their intuitive interplay through originals and classic tunes like “My Favorite Things,” “Killer Joe” (with Hubert Laws) wand “On the Sunny Side of the Street.” It’s an intimate and warm recording, with the spotlight clearly on bass and keys.

“As a father, you try to lead by example,” the senior East says. “Noah showed extraordinary talent from an early age and it’s been a joy to watch him grow into a sought-after artist in his own right. I couldn’t be more proud of the musician and person he has become, and this album is truly a dream come true.”

Noah echoed the sentiment, reflecting, “Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been incredibly fortunate to witness my dad’s career up close. Growing up around so many different amazing musicians has provided me with a rich musical background, which has immensely shaped my playing. Recording this album together is an experience I will cherish forever.”

“This project has been a labor of love, a heartfelt expression of the deep bond between a Father and Son. Music is a powerful, spiritual language that unites us. We have all poured our hearts into every note,” says the the elder East.

The Common Thread

Whether you’re a parent, a child, or just someone who appreciates the power of legacy, these albums offer a reminder: the most meaningful improvisations in life don’t always happen on stage.

The post Fatherhood: Geoff Mann Salutes His Dad, Nathan and Noah East appeared first on ContemporaryJazz.com.

This year has been an especially good year to celebrate this all-star band. The original five Elektric Band studio albums, from 1986-1991, have been released in a deluxe 10-LP box set and a new live recording of the band on the road has been issued.

The Elektric Band, led by the late legendary pianist and composer Chick Corea, emerged in the mid-1980s as a groundbreaking force in contemporary jazz. Corea, a 27-time Grammy winner and Jazz Master of the National Endowment for the Arts, assembled a lineup including John Patitucci, Dave Weckl, Eric Marienthal, and Frank Gambale. Each of those musicians, talented in their own right, would springboard to new career highs. It was truly a remarkable band.

I still haven’t quite forgiven myself for not seeing them when they were in town around 1991.

The 10-LP vinyl box set compiles the original five GRP studio albums, presented in gatefold jackets with printed inner sleeves and restored artwork in a deluxe slipcase. This limited-edition release, for the first time, reinstates the albums to their original full running order. Additionally, the set includes reproduced memorabilia from Chick’s private archive, offering a comprehensive tribute to the Elektric Band’s creativity, innovation, and musicianship.

The Future Is Now live recording was compiled by Chick before his passing. This 3-LP vinyl and 2-disc CD album captures the band on tour from 2016-2018. It features in depth liner notes from Corea and all of the Elektric Band members.

I’m a fan of things coming full circle and these serve as a fitting closing chapter for this memorable group.

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