Lee Ritenour
b. Lee Mack Ritenour, 11 January 1952, Los Angeles, CA, USA. The prolific Ritenour has established himself as one of the world's leading jazz guitarists with a series of accessible albums over three decades. Starting at the age of 16, Ritenour played his first session with The Mama's and the Papa's. Two years later he was backing Tony Bennett and Lena Horne at L.A.'s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Know as Captain Fingers, Ritenour became a sought-after session player in the mid-70's. Starting in 1976, at the age of 24, he began his own solo career which now includes over 30 albums and collaborations. Although heavily influenced in his early days by the relaxed styles of Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass and Barney Kessel, he now has his own distinctive sound and fluid style. His list of session work is awesome (some 3,000 sessions), but some of his notable performances were with Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins and Pink Floyd. Since the mid-80's Ritenour has been strongly influenced by Brazilian music.
Along the way, Ritenour has received 17 Grammy nominations, earned several gold albums, numerous #1 spots in guitar polls and the prestigious Alumnus of the Year award from USC. In 1981, he scored the pop15 hit Is It You, featuring vocalist Eric Tagg, which has also become a smooth jazz radio classic. He joined GRP Records in 1985 after recording for Electra the previous 7 years. At that time, he recorded the magnificent Harlequin album with GRP co-owner Dave Grusin. It was nominated for 4 Grammys and won 1 that year.
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- 6 String Theory by John Kelman
- Smoke 'n' Mirrors by Woodrow Wilkins
- Smoke n' Mirrors by Jeff Winbush
Interview
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- A Twist of Marley by Dave Hughes
- Alive in L.A. by Dave Hughes
January 11, 2021
Jazz Musician of the Day: Lee Ritenour
January 11, 2020
Jazz Musician of the Day: Lee Ritenour
January 11, 2019
Jazz Musician of the Day: Lee Ritenour
January 11, 2018
Jazz Musician of the Day: Lee Ritenour
January 11, 2017
Jazz Musician of the Day: Lee Ritenour
January 11, 2016
Jazz Musician of the Day: Lee Ritenour
January 11, 2015
Jazz Musician of the Day: Lee Ritenour
January 11, 2014
Jazz Musician of the Day: Lee Ritenour
January 11, 2013
Jazz Musician of the Day: Lee Ritenour
January 11, 2012
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