Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin | KNKX Studio Session

Since he was a teenager, guitarist Lee Ritenour has been proud to call Dave Grusin his friend. While in Seattle for a stretch of nights at Jazz Alley, Lee and Dave returned to the KNKX studios to play together and for each other.
A just-finished documentary, "Dave Grusin: Not Enough Time," recalls the long and varied career of the pianist, composer and arranger. Along with jazz stars Quincy Jones and Marcus Miller, there’s Dave’s buddy Lee Ritenour talking about his friend.
First meeting at the home of Brazilian star Sergio Mendes, the two have often worked in the relaxed, romantic style of bossa nova. Their Grammy-winning album together, "Harlequin," featured musicians and tunes from Brazil. They both remarked on the influence of recently passed guitarist, singer and hit-maker Joao Gilberto.
Ritenour mentioned the simple, yet remarkable, rhythmic guitar style pioneered by Gilberto. Grusin told us that he and fellow musicians felt the samba craze would save jazz from the quickly changing, rock-dominated musical landscape of the day.
Brazilian music still weighs heavily in both their hearts, as Ritenour and Grusin teamed up for the beautiful A.C. Jobim song, “Children’s Games,” for a rapt KNKX studio audience.
They also treated us to Ritenour’s “Waltz for Carmen," written for his Brazilian wife.
Finally, both gentlemen showed off brief examples of their solo style. Grusin performed the beautiful “Bonita,”also by Jobim, and Ritenour improvised a sweet groover after telling us he’s been considering recording what would be his first solo record.
Ritenour told us he was just “noodling” around, and when the unique performance concluded, our audience was immediately sold on the solo album idea. I jokingly referred to the possible album title, "The Noodler." Ritenour laughed and said, “yeah, and that song’s called ‘For Seattle.'”
It’s always nice to hear musicians of this caliber, but when the two are such good friends and fans of each other, it’s extra special. Enjoy these special moments with Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin, as we certainly did.
Songs:
Waltz for Carmen (Lee Ritenour)
Children’s Games (A.C. Jobim)
For Seattle (Lee Ritenour)
Bonita (A.C. Jobim)
Audio:
John Kessler
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[@jerrygeist1677]

You can sure feel the fruitful friendship between these two magic musicians 🎉 a true blessing.

[@1973833]

Two genius....Grusin's whole work is out of this world.

[@knkx]

Agreed!

[@wirmeth]

Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin are always been my musical heroes since 1980s! They have opened my ears to great music through their 1980's albums like Rio, Captain Fingers, RIT, Out of The Shadows, Mountain Dance, Nightlines, Portrait, Earthrun, Harlequin, etc.. so many great albums! I always love and respect them!

[@franzschaefer4002]

Such a privilege to see and hear these two masters together. And their music is simply beautiful ...

[@Belamarimages]

I want to listen to Dave & Lee forever! 👍👍👏👏

[@kauaiman1]

Been listening to Lee since I was 15 and am 62 now..had the greatest pleasure to speak with him several times. And furthermore to meet Dave Gruisin and talk to him about real stuff like fishing as he had a fishing logo on his shirt. Both Lee and Dave make the world a better place today. Have a listen. Cheers! Sincerely

[@MarkFromHawaii]

Going to see/hear Lee and Dave tonight at BlueNote Hawaii. Can't wait!🤗

[@knkx]

Enjoy the show!

[@gust5992]

It’s a masterclass in simplicity and elegance. It’s like the “Ying and Yang”…..what a joy to hear and watch😍😍

[@gust5992]

Simple yet elegant melodies. Nothing like the two maestros jamming......thank you so much for a beautiful music.

[@carolbrooke378]

this is music I could listen to forever. two master musicians playing seamlessly together ,music that without words takes you on a journey you never want to end. Being a fan, for decades of both of these gentlemen, I would like to express my deep appreciation for the many, many hours of wonderful music. THANKYOU!

[@knkx]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe for more!

[@nmy9889]

Respect ... keep playing guys. Been listening to them since the 80s. Please release a new album soon.

[@tinaazzara8595]

Fabulous musicians beautiful music. Been a fan for many years.

[@davegrusinnotenoughtime2729]

I would like to invite all of the people who love this clip to join our community! Please go to @t and "like" us to keep up on all the latest Dave Grusin / Lee Ritenour info. The brand new Feature Length Documentary Film titled, "DAVE GRUSIN: NOT ENOUGH TIME" is finished and making the Film Festival Circuit. It will be available to everyone very soon! Stay tuned at @t

[@EZblueboy]

Kinda silly that in your mind your favorite musicians never get any older, till you something (beautifull) like this.. and it makes you humble and grateful.. Tnx for posting. Keep up the good work..

[@davegrusinnotenoughtime2729]

I would like to invite all of the people who love this clip to join our community! Please go to @t and "like" us to keep up on all the latest Dave Grusin / Lee Ritenour info. The brand new Feature Length Documentary Film titled, "DAVE GRUSIN: NOT ENOUGH TIME" is finished and making the Film Festival Circuit. It will be available to everyone very soon! Stay tuned at @t

[@johnfenner347]

What Wonderful Playing !. Beautiful Sounds !. Marvellous To See Them Close Up. What A Treat !. Doesn’t Get Any Better.

[@pallhe]

Great playing from both. It's encouraging to see and hear how well Grusin is playing at his advanced age. Sounds to me like he's at the top of his game.

[@thesoundsmith]

He's still just a kid. Check out Ahmad Jamal at 89 and beyond, burning it up... (Not that Dave isn't, but maybe in another ten years...)

[@jerameelaclan3205]

SUPERB!! MY STRESS RUN AWAY FROM ME!! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MUSIC!! MY 2 FAVE MUSICIANS LEESIN

[@paoloschmidt517]

They’ve known each other since mid 70s, Sergio Mendes’ house was the hub. They made together the history of music, ranging from fusion to jazz, from rock to classic. A fully respected and profitable friendship; what else?

[@oldbladderhorn949]

awesome music a perfect blend of guitar and piano.... and the old fella in the audience looks a lot like, Larry Carlton.

[@jmonkreltub9824]

My Heroes!!

[@brucekuehn4031]

Dave was 85 in June, 2019. You sound great as ever!

[@brucekuehn4031]

He turned 85 and sounding great

[@EZblueboy]

85.. unbelievable.. respect

[@brucekuehn4031]

Well, this is kind of unbelievable - Thinking about Dave here, I was reminded of his great TV theme to St Elsewhere. Then I looked up Norman Lloyd who played Dr Auschlander on the show. He is alive at 104! He was in Trainwreck with Amy Schumer when he was 99. Mr Lloyd was the bad guy in Saboteur by Alfred Hitchcock in 1942! The stories this guy can tell! He was in the Mercury Theatre with Orson Welles before they went to Hollywood. Played tennis often with Charlie Chaplin.

[@brucekuehn4031]

On October 25, 2017, two weeks before his 103rd birthday, Norman Lloyd attended Game 2 of the 2017 World Series. He had also attended Game 1 of the 1926 World Series, 91 years earlier, at the age of 11 where he remembers watching Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig play!

[@SlimMixer]

I grew up with your music... thank you so much for the REAL SOUNDS!!!

[@strambers]

beautiful phrasing, splendid iconic guitar, carpet of notes from the pianist, thank you Maestri!!!

[@Roj0620]

what more is there to say about these two....??? lets just enjoy and be grateful

[@saxfish]

< I just LoVe Lee Ritenour above most Jazz guitarists. He speaks to me, He has got S O U L !¡! What a PaiR...so beautiful it almost made me cry...>

[@QxQxQxQx]

It actually did it to me.. :D

[@ralfir1643]

the perfect duo, all these harmonies are out of this world

[@LeonardoPadroni]

Saw them live some years ago, awesome musicians!!!

[@bobparsonsartist564]

Lee is such a great player. Love his compositions also...

[@brigittelautwein2617]

It always gets my attention when you play these beautiful songs live with the audians...Great.

[@samuelsanchez4885]

WOW !!!!!!! Just from the first note!!! My brain went into fire storm of euphoria!!!!! Thank you for posting this awesome 😎👏 collaboration of talent !!! 😄🎹🎼🎸

[@davegrusinnotenoughtime2729]

I would like to invite all of the people who love this clip to join our community! Please go to @t and "like" us to keep up on all the latest Dave Grusin / Lee Ritenour info. The brand new Feature Length Documentary Film titled, "DAVE GRUSIN: NOT ENOUGH TIME" is finished and making the Film Festival Circuit. It will be available to everyone very soon! Stay tuned at @t

[@paultorres9595]

Absolutely Outstanding! Lee and Dave are my favorite jazz musicians. Saw them live last year what a treat!!!

[@frankf.6639]

Perfect combination that last for more than 30 years. It all began with GRP records....

[@meganote]

Nice to hear them as duo, live!

[@faustakitty6045]

Wonderful musica wonderful composition

[@alemaster33]

Ritenour's approach to guitar is so cool. So soft and gentle, but also with crazy huge string gauge! What a master.

[@bluesman97]

Still belting out good music after all these years!... Been a pleasure listening.

[@davidhernandez3788]

WONDERFUL, GREAT HEARING YOU BOTH. THANK YOU DAVE AND EL MAESTRO LEE.

[@meganote]

Two great artists who have brought us so much great music... thanks! Nice performance here too!

[@parkinchiu1]

too beautiful! just cleanses the soul!

[@knkx]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheJohnMak]

Simply beautiful music. Thank you.

[@guitargod6997]

Stunning musicianship and incredible performances from two bright stars in the galaxy!

[@xicomarquesmusico]

wonderful! Thank you

[@knkx]

Thanks for watching!

[@bubbapeppers4354]

Wow, just wow!

[@skwaihee]

2 of my favourite musicians. Why must they grow old?

[@steveb9325]

Real musicians!

[@Andrewkafp]

Fantastic Guitarist.

[@culloutoltec9111]

definition of CLASS

[@landofgoshenstudios6402]

LEE!! Rejoin Fourplay.

[@pieterk4960]

Looking forward to seeing these guys live this year👍

[@tracykern2313]

Beautiful music for a mellow Saturday.

[@antoniodametto7394]

Excelentes músicos, arranjadores, magníficos, que são muito ligados na musica brasileira.

[@antoniodametto7394]

Feliz sã os ouvintes que tem o privilégio de sintonizar esta rádio

[@peterpedersen1641]

I have witnessed these two geniuses a few times. I am intimidated by Lee's guitar work. I have played 45 years and just can't be this intricate and tight. Ok, maybe once in a while. But so much thanks for giving us wanna be's a target to shoot for. Remember the Blue Note around the corner from my place in The Village.

[@so8397]

Awesome stuff

[@knkx]

Thanks for watching!

[@TomasKostkan]

I wish you are healthy for long time guys!

[@joenoah9906]

Just simply...Wow

[@ademircostamachado7226]

very beautiful

[@yugyugyug2447]

Enorme, Merci de France

[@davidgonzaleza.4357]

Magnífica y deliciosa sorpresa con ese eterno retorno a Jobim. Mis músicos preferidos. Saludos desde Córdoba, donde los vi actuar las dos veces que nos visitaron.

[@Wilhelm-X924]

Bravo!!!

[@indigo6838]

love they from JAPAN!!

[@robertnoble3733]

The masters of the craft.

[@johnmaer]

I don't know right now who will replace or succeed these gentlemen....there are no others like them or with their gift. Having said that, Mr. Grusin is a gem of a musician who is so, so underappreciated and under-known. Some of us fortunate to follow his writing for Hollywood cinema have been aware of him for nearly 50 years......those of us included the late Johnny Carson.....Johnny mentioned Dave several times on his Tonight Show back in the 70's and 80's. Johnny was a musician wannabe...especially on the drums and he idolized Buddy Rich of course....but man, did he know Dave Grusin, and shared his joy on air. It is also frustrating to see these fellows perform overseas and draw more crowds than here in the States. Audiences there are more serous music fans....I don't know, but they do jazz fests there....but there really aren't any meaningful jazz fests in USA...just a shame. You either see/hear at studio invitations appearances like this, or maybe a jazz club on the East or West Coast....but this genre of music and artists are rarely seen in the rest of our country.....so unfortunate. We too have an ear for music and feel overlooked.

[@camloff]

Lee Ritenour is for me a great guitarist.

[@jeffreym4273]

Beautiful

[@paulomedeiros6416]

🇧🇷😎 Excelente!

[@josemolina959]

Great stuff! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@knkx]

Thanks for watching José!

[@jeffreyfoster4260]

Awesome!!!! 😊

[@davegrusinnotenoughtime2729]

I would like to invite all of the people who love this clip to join our community! Please go to @t and "like" us to keep up on all the latest Dave Grusin / Lee Ritenour info. The brand new Feature Length Documentary Film titled, "DAVE GRUSIN: NOT ENOUGH TIME" is finished and making the Film Festival Circuit. It will be available to everyone very soon! Stay tuned at @t

[@thomashood252003]

The degree of musicianship is so high that you can't even rate it... it is so far off the charts that you can't even grasp it ...Waltz for Carmen is better than the studio version and that saying a hell of a lot... i'm sitting here absolutely stunned the brilliance is shining brightly… Damn this is good really good

[@nesptahsoitis2607]

Beautiful Elegance

Que privilegio gracias por ese excitante sonido placentero

[@jdregi6699]

Hello de France ! Quels beaux thèmes ... Bravo !

[@mslgrupo]

Great!!!!!

[@netoriffvai]

Waltz For Carmen!!! Yeah!!! :)

[@ArturoVillarrealJAZZ]

Is it the name of this tune ?

[@netoriffvai]

@@ArturoVillarrealJAZZ Yes!! That's the name of the song, it is beautiful :)

[@ArturoVillarrealJAZZ]

@@netoriffvai Its an amazing tune. Thanks for the insight!

[@felipelimafidelis.fidelis]

Lee / Dave... Nice.. Very Nice...

[@ronfrey6639]

I think these two might have played together once or twice :) Kind music to listen too thanks for posting...

[@piccadilyroad66]

Geeezzz, 14 dislikes for these incredible mastery jazz live performance, I'm quite astonized 😒

[@riccardobrugnetti2060]

Che meraviglia

[@knkx]

Check out the last time Lee Ritenour was in our studios here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWeafYSBeqqabc0 Don't forget to subscribe to KNKX for more great jazz!

[@mikematics]

beautiful

[@leonardodutra8787]

"Chidren Games" brazilian name is "Chovendo na Roseira" (Raining on the Rosebush). Lovely!!

[@jimlucas897]

Name one dude that can play like Lee..... Aaaaaaah nobody on this planet!!!!

[@tiopettry]

Bonita.....Brazilian music

[@alexandrealves4517]

Lindíssima melodia !

[@palidiciovermingagurainia1760]

made for each other’s dreams

[@fuscofabio9868]

EXCELENTE.

[@jcsk8]

The sound of the Pearly Gates.

[@semedmovlevi747]

👏👏👏👏💐

[@mariomele1990]

Os caras lendas do jazz e tocam 2 músicas do Tom, entre 4 que tocam. E aqui no Brasil escutei de uma garota de 20 anos que não fazia menor ideia de quem era Tom Jobim. Triste!

[@miscellanyman263]

Have got Ritenour's "Festival" (1988) on my iPad playlist :-)

[@rconte]

At 6?24 it says "Childrens Games" but in fact it is "Chovendo na Roseira" (raining in the roses tree(?)) by Antonio Carlos Jobim.

[@brucekuehn4031]

No - 6:37 is Children’s Games from the album Stone Flower

[@larrybethune3909]

I ended up seeing this wonderful performance because I wanted to know who wrote the theme to the TV show St. Elsewhere.

[@valterfinato865]

good, good....

[@LaudaCosta]

Lee: - My reference.

[@johnfenner347]

And ! . My Dear Lee. Such Very Wonderful Sounds !. I Understand The “Reverb”, But Would Be So very pleased If you Could Say What The Other, Effect Is ?. A Delay, Of Some Kind ?. Thank You For Such Wonderful Music, Over The Years. Very Best Wishes And Kindest Regards From Scotland, Yours In Awe, John Fenner.

[@fredrit323]

Hey Lee, when is the next album due?

[@davegrusinnotenoughtime2729]

I would like to invite all of the people who love this clip to join our community! Please go to @t and "like" us to keep up on all the latest Dave Grusin / Lee Ritenour info. The brand new Feature Length Documentary Film titled, "DAVE GRUSIN: NOT ENOUGH TIME" is finished and making the Film Festival Circuit. It will be available to everyone very soon! Stay tuned at @t

[@lugeroaccordion9957]

What can I say just superb ,top class, one of the best of all time.. You may like my original instrumental stuff... Cheers... Lugero....

[@michaelbutler2312]

great session!! i wonder what is that blue tolex fender amp rit seems to be playing thru?

[@knkx]

Lee was using our Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Amp. Thanks for watching Michael!

[@davegrusinnotenoughtime2729]

I would like to invite all of the people who love this clip to join our community! Please go to facebook.com/grusinfilm and "like" us to keep up on all the latest Dave Grusin / Lee Ritenour info. The brand new Feature Length Documentary Film titled, "DAVE GRUSIN: NOT ENOUGH TIME" is finished and making the Film Festival Circuit. It will be available to everyone very soon! Stay tuned at www.grusinfilm.com

[@blesseins4658]

peaceful lotus with golden fingers ...what else ? ...just some full impro coming from the babygamanganiped' ...

[@jamescarter8699]

This is dress up, UP SCALE DINNER TIME, LISTEN, EAT AND HAVE A DRINK WITH YOUR BEST GIRL MUSIC.AND AS YOU LOOK AROUND SOME GUY IS ON HIS KNEE PROPOSING. THE WAITER IN THE SHADOWS WITH CHAMPAGNE. AND IT IS BEST PLAYED "LIVE" BY QT IN BLACK TUX PANTS WITH WHITE DINER JACKETS. JAZZ DINE AND LATER DANCE. THIS WAS A NITE OUT BEFORE ALL THOSE DARN SPORTS BARS.