Fourplay a group of musical superstars

There have been a number of “super groups” over the years, groups that are made up of popular and talented musicians united for an album or two. Within a few years, the individual artists are back to their own careers and the “super group” is a blip on music history.

However, in the case of Fourplay, they may be a super group but from the beginning the band members made it their goal to keep going and not be a one or two-album project.

“We didn’t know where it was going when we started, but we knew we didn’t want it to be a one-time thing,” said drummer Harvey Mason.

Turns out, it was definitely going somewhere since Fourplay has lasted two decades. 11 albums – five of them chart-toppers - and continues to be in heavy demand every year.

“We are so dedicated to music and we want to stay focused on our sound and keep trying to put good music out there,” Mason said.

The group began in 1991 when keyboardist Bob James was working on his album, “Grand Piano Canyon.” He turned to well-established drummer Mason.

“I knew Bob and I had played with him before,” said Mason. “He asked me to do a rhythm section for him and it spawned from that. We realized then that we had something.”

The group, at that time, was made up of James, Mason, guitarist Lee Ritenour and bassist/vocalist Nathan East.

“We all have a lot of integrity and a lot of respect for each other so there’s no real issue with egos,” Mason said. “From the moment we started, this has been a democracy. No one was the leader.”

Considering the resumes of the members, that makes sense.

James has been recording since the early ‘60s and has had a career that features more than 30 records, Grammy nominations and awards and consistent chart success.

East has played with the likes of Elton John, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and Phil Collins to name a few; He was also Eric Clapton’s long-time bass player.

The only change since the beginning was the departure of Ritenour. He was replaced by Larry Carlton, who has had a lengthy career as a solo artist and as a sessions man, performing on more than 100 gold albums.

“Everyone has a solo career, but we set out the time for the band because it is a major priority,” he said. “We wouldn’t have lasted if there wasn’t that dedication to the band.”

Mason realized he had musical ability at an early age.

“I had a rhythmic gift, and my mom realized it,” he said. “It became the thing that I did. I took lessons in the third grade and just kept going. When you are good at something you keep doing it.”

He didn’t realize the career potential until he picked up a magazine.

“I didn’t know about the pro thing because I was just having a good time,” he said. “Then I read an article in Downbeat magazine on sessions players and realized I could make money at it.”

Through school he had played in school bands and had fun doing it, but now he realized the money possibilities. He continued to perform and attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music.

From there, it has been project after project, song after song and success after success. Mason has been on hundreds of records, played scores of live shows, worked on television productions, movies scores, just about everything imaginable. He is considered the most recorded drummer in modern music.

“A lot of people start as a sideman on tours and that becomes their gig,” he said. “For me, I wouldn’t have the resume I have had I not really developed as a sessions guy. I was able to really polish my sound.”

While it may seem that there isn’t such a big difference playing in the studio or live, Mason points out that the feeling and the atmosphere makes a big difference.

“There’s a different vibe in the studio,” he said. “I’m a lot looser live. In the studio you can hear every little glitch right away so you are much tighter. You have to be perfect.”

One would think it would be a big challenge making four talented musicians happy in the studio.

“In the studio, we have four guys who know what they are doing and have respect for what we each can do,” he said. “There are four distinct voices each has a personality.”

And it truly is a democracy.

“We take a long time to throw down and everyone gets a chance to write,” he said. “We audition the song. Each guy gets time to play his stuff and make the case for his music. We each get two songs.”

It helps on the one hand that each is successful and talented with his own instrument, but also because they know each other so well.

“You have to be open,” he said. “We all come in with demos and we look for the best of each of us. We take them seriously and often the demos sound just like what appears on the record.”

They also know what the other members can add to their songs.

“We definitely think about each other when we are writing our songs,” Mason said. “If I am working on something I can picture Bob playing this chord or Nathan hitting this note.”

There’s something good definitely happening in the studio as the band’s last album, “Energy,” considering that it was nominated for the 2009 Grammy for “Best Pop Instrumental Performance.”

“Our aim is to push the boundaries with our music but still be recognizable by our fans,” said Mason. “I know it is special that so many people have become fans and have stayed with us all these years.”