Title - '6 String Theory' (Concord Records)
Artist - Lee Ritenour
For those that don't know, Lee Mack "Captain Fingers" Ritenour is a guitarist, recording artist, composer and producer. He began his career at the age of 16 and has appeared on over 3000 sessions, recorded over 40 albums, and has charted over 30 instrumental and vocal contemporary jazz hits since 1976.
Although, in truth, he is probably best known for the hit "Is It You" in 1981, Ritenour is still today to be considered a pioneer in the smooth jazz and jazz-funk genres of music.
And his latest CD, '6 String Theory' is one, and I kid you not, that I have now listened to 12 times in a row ... it's just that good! Put together by Ritenour in celebration of the world's most popular instrument - the guitar - it features a veritable who's-who of musicians.
Joining him in this tribute to the guitar are such notables as: George Benson, BB King, Slash, Steve Lukather, John Scofield, Joe Bonamassa, Robert Cray and Vince Gill among many other superstars. Blending rock, blues, jazz, acoustic, country and classical, they come together for a seamless project that is most certainly jazz, but a little blues, and then some rock/pop too!
Debuting on this release is sixteen-year-old guitarist Shon Boublil who was the grand prize winner of Lee Ritenour's Yamaha Six String Theory Guitar Competition.
www.leeritenour.com
7/21 Hollywood, CA Hollywood Bowl w/Dave Grusin, John Scofield, Keb Mo & Taj Mahal
7/23-25 Oakland, CA Yoshi's with Dave Grusin
8/10-15 New York, New York Blue Note
8/19 Highland Park, Illinois Ravinia Festival
8/24-29 Seattle, WA Jazz Alley with Dave Grusin