Fourplay brings ‘Energy’ to Birchmere

When Bob James tapped three friends to form the ensemble Fourplay in 1990, each member was a seasoned jazz artist with years of experience working with musical heavyweights. From the musicians’ self-titled first album, they have reigned as master stylists of jazz, R&B and pop. Eleven albums and a half-dozen Grammy nominations later, they are without peers. Keyboardist/composer/arranger James shares the stage with bassist Nathan East, drummer Harvey Mason and guitarist Larry Carlton, replacement in the mid-1990s for Lee Ritenour, who left to form his own label.

Their latest recording, “Energy,” a 2009 Grammy nomination for best pop instrumental performance, will be the focus of their Birchmere appearance Saturday. The title echoes the vitality emanating from multiple influences, even a bow to their own classical backgrounds in the final number, “Sebastian,” James’ homage to Bach.

“Comfort Zone” is a rocking conversation between East’s bass and Mason’s drums, “Look Both Ways” mates Carlton’s melodic, syncopated guitar with James’ frenetic keyboard, “Argentina” explores a beautiful melody heightened by exotic Latin beats, while “Prelude for Lovers,” written by James’ daughter Hilary and her husband, Kevin DiSimone, is a tuneful setting for guest vocalist Esperanza Spalding.

Amid the 10 boundary-breaking numbers, “Cape Town” merits special acclaim for its mystical instrumentation, rhythmic vocals and the remarkable story it weaves. Composed by East, his brother Martin East, and their cousin Alan Dones, it chronicles the journey taken by their grandparents, James and Lucinda East, to serve as missionaries in South Africa.

“When Fourplay played live in Cape Town, it was exciting to retrace our family history there,” East said. “Our grandmother was a teacher, our grandfather taught the villagers how to plow, and a memorial hospital is named after him. Our kids did an ancestor report in school and wrote about his inventions. They sing on the vocals, an experience they’ll remember for years.

“On one of Fourplay’s trips there, I saw where my father was born in Middledrift. He was 11 when his parents came back to this country. He attended Cheney University in Pennsylvania and had the world track record in the 50- and 100-meter dash when he was chosen to be in the Olympics, but World War II began and the games were canceled.”

From Philadelphia, East’s father, an aeronautical engineer, moved the family to San Diego. Earl studied cello in grade school and by high school was playing bass guitar in church music programs and a Top 40 local band. With a bachelor’s degree in music from University of California, San Diego, he began performing, recording and co-writing songs straight out of the gate with such artists as Eric Clapton, Elton John, B.B. King, George Harrison and Phil Collins. Since 1981, he has endorsed Yamaha instruments and developed his own custom five-string signature model.

Like his Fourplay colleagues, East has received numerous awards, among them the Ivor Novello Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors for co-writing “Easy Lover” with Phil Collins and Philip Bailey. He was named Bassist of the Year three times, performed at the Barack Obama Inaugural Celebration Concert in 2009 and was honored by the U.S. Congressional Record award for his contribution to the worldwide music community. In 2010, he will be recognized as one of the top 100 alumni of UCSD.

“For all of us in Fourplay, it’s a great honor to perform live for fans who appreciate our music,” East said. “After the holidays, we’ll begin recording our 12th album to commemorate our 20 years together.”