Lee Ritenour
American jazz guitarist (born 1952)
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Lee Mack Ritenour (/ˈrɪtnaʊər/ RIT-now-ər; born January 11, 1952) is an American jazz, jazz fusion guitarist who has been active since the late 1960s.[1][2][3]
January 11, 1952
- Musician
- composer
- producer
Lee Ritenour | |
|---|---|
Ritenour at the Stockholm Jazz Festival, 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Lee Mack Ritenour January 11, 1952 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | leeritenour |
Biography
Ritenour was born on January 11, 1952, in Los Angeles, California. At the age of eight he started playing guitar and four years later decided on a career in music. When he was 16 he played on his first recording session with the Mamas & the Papas. He developed a love for jazz and was influenced by guitarist Wes Montgomery.[4] At the age of 17 he worked with Lena Horne and Tony Bennett. He studied classical guitar at the University of Southern California.[2] In the mid-to-late 1970s, Ritenour purchased a 1958 Fender Stratocaster that became one of his primary recording guitars. Between the early 1980s and 1987, it was modified with a 3-ply pickguard, Alembic Strat-o-blaster preamp, an added string tree, a Floyd Rose tremolo with locking nut, and EMG S pickups.[5]
1976–1988
Ritenour's solo career began with the album First Course (1976), a good example of the jazz fusion sound of the late 1970s, followed by Captain Fingers (1977), The Captain's Journey (1978).[6]
In 1979, he "was brought in to beef up" one of Pink Floyd's The Wall's heaviest rock numbers, "Run Like Hell".[7] He played "uncredited rhythm guitar" on "One of My Turns".[8][9] As the 1980s began, Ritenour began to add stronger elements of pop to his music, beginning with Rit (1981). Rit became his only release to chart in Australia, peaking at number 98.[10] "Is It You" with vocals by Eric Tagg reached No. 15 on the Billboard pop chart and No. 27 on the Soul chart.[11] The track peaked at number fifteen on Hot Adult Contemporary chart.[12] He continued with the pop-oriented music for Rit/2 (1982) and Banded Together (1984), while releasing a Direct-Disk instrumental album in 1983 called On the Line. He also provided rhythm guitar on Tom Browne's album Funkin' for Jamaica. He recorded Harlequin (1985) with Dave Grusin and vocals by Ivan Lins.[4] His next album, Earth Run, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance. The album's title track was also Grammy nominated in the category of Best Instrumental Composition.[3][13] Portrait (GRP, 1987) included guest performances by the Yellowjackets, Djavan, and Kenny G.[14]
In 1988, his Brazilian influence came to the forefront on Festival, an album featuring his work on nylon-string guitar.[4] He changed direction with his straight-ahead jazz album Stolen Moments which he recorded with saxophonist Ernie Watts, pianist Alan Broadbent, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Harvey Mason. During the same year, he composed the theme song for the Canadian TV series Ramona.
1990–present
In 1991, Ritenour and keyboardist Bob James formed the group Fourplay.[4] He left the group in 1997 and was replaced by Larry Carlton. He released the career retrospective Overtime in 2005. Smoke n' Mirrors came out the next year with the debut of his thirteen-year-old son, Wesley, on drums.
Celebrating his fifty years as a guitarist in 2010, Ritenour released 6 String Theory, a title that refers to six musical areas covered by the use of guitar.[15]
Ritenour has been a judge for the Independent Music Awards.[16][17][18][19]
In 2018, Ritenour lost his Malibu home and personal recording studio in the Woolsey Fire in California.[20]
Lead vocalists
Lee Ritenour's first few solo albums consisted entirely of instrumentals. Beginning with Captain Fingers (1977), Ritenour used vocalists on many of his songs:
Awards
Grammy Awards
Ritenour has received one Grammy award out of sixteen nominations.[3]
- Album of the Year, Jazziz magazine (2010) - 6 String Theory.
- Best International Instrumentalist, Echo Jazz Award (2011)
Discography
Albums
| Title | Peak chart positions | Label | Year released | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [21] |
US Jazz [22] | |||
| First Course | — | — | Epic | 1976 |
| Captain Fingers | 178 | — | Epic | 1977 |
| Gentle Thoughts | — | — | JVC | 1977 |
| Sugar Loaf Express | — | — | JVC | 1977 |
| Friendship | — | — | JVC | 1978 |
| The Captain's Journey | 78 | — | Elektra | 1978 |
| Rio | 163 | — | JVC | 1979 |
| Feel the Night | 136 | — | Elektra | 1979 |
| Friendship | — | — | Elektra | 1979 |
| Rit | 26 | — | Elektra | 1981 |
| Rit/2 | 99 | — | Elektra | 1982 |
| On the Line | — | — | Elektra Musician | 1983 |
| Banded Together | 145 | — | Elektra | 1984 |
| Harlequin, with Dave Grusin | 192 | — | GRP | 1985 |
| Earth Run | — | — | GRP | 1986 |
| Portrait | — | — | GRP | 1987 |
| Festival | 156 | — | GRP | 1988 |
| Color Rit | — | — | GRP | 1989 |
| Stolen Moments | — | — | GRP | 1990 |
| Collection | — | — | GRP | 1991 |
| Wes Bound | — | 19 | GRP | 1993 |
| Larry & Lee, with Larry Carlton | — | 4 | GRP | 1995 |
| Alive in L.A. | — | 18 | GRP | 1997 |
| This Is Love | — | 4 | I.E. Music | 1998 |
| Two Worlds, with Dave Grusin | — | — | Decca | 2000 |
| Rit's House | — | 5 | Verve | 2002 |
| World of Brazil | — | — | GRP | 2003 |
| Overtime | — | 24 | Peak | 2005 |
| Smoke 'n' Mirrors | — | 10 | Peak | 2006 |
| Amparo, with Dave Grusin | — | — | Decca | 2008 |
| 6 String Theory | — | — | Concord | 2010 |
| Rhythm Sessions | — | 3 | Concord | 2012 |
| A Twist of Rit | — | 3 | Concord | 2015 |
| Dreamcatcher | — | — | The Players Club | 2020 |
| Brasil | — | — | Candid | 2024 |
Charted singles
| Date | Title | Position | Chart (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | "Countdown Captain Fingers" | 43 | Dance[23] |
| "Is It You" | 15 | Hot 100[23] | |
| 1982 | "Cross My Heart" | 69 | |
| 1993 | "Waiting in Vain" (ft. Maxi Priest) | 54 | R&B[23] |
| 2007 | "Smoke 'n' Mirrors" | 27 | Smooth Jazz[23] |
| "Forget Me Nots" | 14 | ||
| 2010 | "Shape of My Heart" (Lee Ritenour, Steve Lukather & Andy McKee) | 19 | |
| "Put the Top Down" (Dave Koz ft. Lee Ritenour) | 1 | ||
| 2012 | "Roadtrip" (Michael Lington ft. Lee Ritenour) | 3 | |
| 2013 | "The Village" | 3 | |
| "L.A. by Bike" | 15 | ||
| 2015 | "A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That" | 5 |
As a member
- Fourplay (Warner Bros., 1991)
- Between the Sheets (Warner Bros., 1993)
- Elixir (Warner Bros., 1995)
- Best of Fourplay (Warner Bros., 1997)
L.A. Workshop
- Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Denon, 1988)
- Norwegian Wood, Vol. 2 (Denon, 1994)
- GRP All-Star Big Band (GRP, 1992)
Other credits
- 1977 "Strawberry Letter 23" from the album Right On Time by Brothers Johnson
- 1987 Joyride - track 6 "Midi Citi" - (En Pointe)
- 1985 American Flyers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) with Greg Mathieson - GRP
As sideman
With Alessi Brothers
- Driftin' (A&M, 1977)
- Words & Music (A&M, 1978)
With Patti Austin
- Love Is Gonna Getcha (GRP, 1990)
- That Secret Place (GRP, 1994)
With Carole Bayer Sager
- Carole Bayer Sager (Elektra, 1977)
- ...Too (Elektra, 1978)
- Sometimes Late at Night (Boardwalk, 1981)
With George Benson
- Give Me the Night (Warner Bros., 1980)
- Songs and Stories (Concord, 2009)
With The Brothers Johnson
- Look Out for #1 (A&M, 1977)
- Right on Time (A&M, 1978)
With Natalie Cole
With Judy Collins
- Hard Times for Lovers (Elektra, 1979)
- Home Again (Elektra, 1984)
With Brass Fever
- Brass Fever (Impulse!, 1975)
- Time Is Running Out (Impulse!, 1976)
With Aretha Franklin
- You (Atlantic, 1975)
- Sweet Passion (Atlantic, 1977)
With Art Garfunkel
- Breakaway (Columbia, 1975)
- Fate for Breakfast (Columbia, 1979)
With Margie Joseph
- Hear the Words, Feel the Feeling (Cotillion, 1976)
- Feeling My Way (Atlantic, 1978)
With Bill LaBounty
- Promised Love (Curb, 1975)
- This Night Won't Last Forever (Warner Bros., 1978)
With Melissa Manchester
- Don't Cry Out Loud (Arista, 1978)
- Mathematics (MCA, 1985)
With Letta Mbulu
- There's Music in the Air (A&M, 1976)
- Letta (A&M, 1978)
With Alphonse Mouzon
- Mind Transplant (Blue Note, 1974)
- The Man Incognito (Blue Note, 1975)
With Leo Sayer
- Endless Flight (Chrysalis, 1976)
- Thunder in My Heart (Chrysalis, 1977)
With Neil Sedaka
- All You Need Is the Music (Elektra, 1978)
- In the Pocket (Elektra, 1980)
With Carly Simon
- Playing Possum (Elektra, 1975)
- Torch (Warner Bros., 1981)
With Barbra Streisand
- Lazy Afternoon (Columbia, 1975)
- Songbird (Columbia, 1978)
- Guilty (Columbia, 1980) – rec. 1979–1980
With others
- Herb Alpert, Herb Alpert / Hugh Masekela (Horizon, 1978)
- Paul Anka, The Painter (United Artists, 1976)
- Stephen Bishop, Careless (ABC, 1976)
- Simone, Corpo e Alma (CBS, 1982)
- Lisa Hartman Black, Lisa Hartman (Kirshner, 1976)
- Bobby Bland, Reflections in Blue (ABC, 1977)
- Bloodstone, Don't Stop (Motown, 1978)
- Debby Boone, Debby Boone (Capitol, 1979)
- Glen Campbell, Basic (Capitol, 1978)
- Captain & Tennille, Make Your Move (Casablanca, 1979)
- The Carpenters, Passage (A&M, 1977)
- Keith Carradine, I'm Easy (Asylum, 1976)
- Casiopea, 4x4 (Alfa, 1982)
- David Castle, Castle in the Sky (Parachute, 1977)
- Cher, I'd Rather Believe in You (Warner Bros., 1976)
- Sparks, Introducing Sparks (Columbia, 1977)
- Paulinho da Costa, Agora (Pablo, 1977)
- England Dan & John Ford Coley, Dr. Heckle and Mr. Jive (Big Tree, 1979)
- John Denver, I Want to Live (RCA, 1977)
- Diana DeGarmo, Blue Skies (RCA, 2004)
- Neil Diamond, Heartlight (Columbia, 1982)
- Will Downing, Sensual Journey (Verve, 2002)
- Sheena Easton, A Private Heaven (EMI, 1984) – rec. 1983–1984
- Yvonne Elliman, Yvonne (RSO, 1979)
- Joe Farrell, Night Dancing (Warner Bros, 1978)
- Roberta Flack, I'm the One (Atlantic, 1982)
- Pink Floyd, The Wall (EMI, 1979)
- Four Tops, Night Lights Harmony (ABC, 1975)
- Ted Gärdestad, Blue Virgin Isles (Polar, 1978)
- Dizzy Gillespie, Free Ride (Pablo, 1977)
- Cyndi Grecco, Making Our Dreams Come True (Private Stock Records, 1976)
- Lani Hall, Sweet Bird (A&M, 1976)
- John Handy, Carnival (Impulse, 1977)
- Eddie Henderson, Comin' Through (Capitol, 1977)
- Joe Henderson, Black Miracle (Milestone, 1976)
- Marcia Hines, Ooh Child (Miracle Records, 1979)
- Al Jarreau, All Fly Home (Warner Bros., 1978)
- Al Johnson, Back for More (Columbia, 1980)
- Quincy Jones, Roots (A&M, 1977)
- Karimata, Jezz (Aquarius, 1991) – on "Rainy Days and You" only
- B.B. King, King Size (ABC, 1977)
- Ben E. King, Let Me Live in Your Life (Atlantic, 1978)
- Carole King, Speeding Time (Atlantic, 1983)
- Peggy Lee, Let's Love (Atlantic, 1974)
- Kenny Loggins, Celebrate Me Home (Columbia, 1977) – rec. 1975–1976
- Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., Marilyn & Billy (Columbia, 1978)
- Mary MacGregor, Mary MacGregor (RSO, 1980)
- Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams, That's What Friends Are For (Columbia, 1979)
- Barry Manilow, Even Now (Arista, 1978)
- Lonette McKee, Words and Music (Warner Bros., 1978)
- Bette Midler, Broken Blossom (Atlantic, 1977)
- Walter Murphy, Phantom of the Opera (Private Stock, 1978)
- Anne Murray, Together (Capitol, 1975)
- Oliver Nelson, Skull Session (Flying Dutchman, 1975)
- David "Fathead" Newman, Keep the Dream Alive (Prestige, 1978)
- Olivia Newton-John, Soul Kiss (MCA, 1985)
- Wayne Newton, Tomorrow (Chelsea Records, 1976)
- Kenny Nolan, A Song Between Us (Polydor, 1978)
- Michael Omartian, Adam Again (Myrrh, 1977)
- Freda Payne, Hot (Capitol, 1979)
- June Pointer, Baby Sister (Planet, 1983)
- Michel Polnareff, Michel Polnareff (Atlantic, 1975)
- Minnie Riperton, Love Lives Forever (Capitol, 1980) – rec. 1978
- Sonny Rollins, The Way I Feel (Milestone, 1977)
- Brenda Russell, Between the Sun and the Moon (Dome, 2004)
- Evie Sands, Suspended Animation (RCA Victor, 1979)
- Lalo Schifrin, Rollercoaster (MCA, 1977) – soundtrack
- Diane Schuur, Schuur Thing (GRP, 1985)
- Seals and Crofts, Get Closer (Warner Bros., 1976)
- Raul Seixas, O Dia em que a Terra Parou (WEA, 1977)
- Nancy Shanks, Nancy Shanx (United Artists, 1977)
- Frank Sinatra, L.A. Is My Lady (Qwest, 1984)
- Steely Dan, Aja (ABC Records, 1977)
- Suzanne Stevens, Crystal Carriage (Capitol, 1977)
- Livingston Taylor, Three Way Mirror (Epic, 1978)
- Naoko Terai, Live (Videoarts Music, 2001)
- Stanley Turrentine, Everybody Come On Out (Fantasy, 1976)
- Frankie Valli, Valli (Private Stock, 1976)
- Sarah Vaughan, Songs of the Beatles (Atlantic, 1981)
- Grover Washington Jr., The Best Is Yet to Come (Elektra, 1982)
- The Whispers, Open Up Your Love (Soul Train, 1977)
- Lenny Williams, Sparks of Love (ABC, 1978)
- Syreeta Wright, Syreeta (Tamla, 1980)
