Leeritenour

Guitarist Lee Ritenour decided to celebrate his 50th year as a guitar player by inviting a bevy of name guitarists into the studio to jam out some tunes, all in the name of love for their chosen instrument. Ritenour's subsequent album, 2010's 6 String Theory, is just that, a varied celebration on the many styles and players who have utilized the guitar. The result is an expansive, ambitious, but never belabored album that touches on jazz, blues, funk, and rock and expands beyond the usual Ritenour approach while remaining true to his unique six-string sound. To these ends, Ritenour duets with such artists as contemporary bluesman Keb' Mo', fusion/post-bop legend Pat Martino, and blues icon B.B. King, as well as George Benson, Slash, Mike Stern, and others. To say this is an all-star affair is an understatement and fortunately, while the album never overplays to expectations, it nonetheless delivers on Ritenour's promise of a guitar celebration.

A strong representation of the jazz fusion scene got together on July 1991 with this sampling of artists from the GRP label, including frequent jazz-rock collaborator Ernie Watts and David Benoit, master ofia "jazz-lite" style. But guitarist Lee Ritenour is key man here: he calls most of the shots and six of the eight pieces are his, including a fine tribute to early inspiration Wes Montgomery on the "24th Street Blues". For the most part, easygoing and mellow are the watchwords on this program - not surprising, since the players tend to be based in Los Angeles. Ritenour's "Etude" stands out for its creation of atmosphere, and so do Dave Valentin's solo melodic meanderings on a selection of wooden flutes backed by his own vocal effects. All elements considered, the bill is a demonstration of top-drawer musicianship, awareness of contemporary styles and versatility.