Amparo

Jazz guitarist / composer Lee Ritenour and pianist / composer Dave Grusin reunite once again with 'Amparo', the follow up to their Grammy-nominated album 'Two Worlds'. The CD is a romantic and rhythmic collection of timeless melodies inspired by classical and South American music. 'Amparo' not only showcases the masterful musicianship of Ritenour and Grusin, but also features an impressive list of guest artists including pop vocal legend James Taylor, opera superstar Renee Fleming, master classical violinist Joshua Bell, and popular jazz trumpeter Chris Botti.

Recognized both as musicians and composers, Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin have garnered an astounding 12 Grammy-Awards, 1 Oscar with countless nominations between the two. In 2000, 'Two Worlds' brought these longtime comrades together resulting in a beautiful fusion of classical and jazz music. The album spent 51 weeks on Billboard's Classical Chart, was nominated for a Grammy and received much critical praise. Jazz Times was quoted as saying the CD was "breathtaking" and All Music Guide mused; "'Two Worlds' is a beautiful reunion of… musical soul mates."

Continuing on their collaborative path, 'Amparo' shows the duo not only combining jazz and classical music, but also fusing their influences from Latin and folk genres to celebrate great music and their lasting friendship. "We grew up with the classical music repertoire, and 'Amparo' gives us another chance to delve back into that world together," noted Grusin who composed the arrangements on the album. Making classic tunes unique, the twosome put their own stamp on music by iconic classical composers such as Maurice Ravel, George Frederic Handel, Tomas Albinoni, and Gabriel Faure. "What is challenging," Grusin observes, "is to design settings that are not meant to throw our guests into a sound that they've never experienced before, but instead to put them in a situation in which they feel very comfortable." Grusin and Ritenour did an excellent job on 'Amparo' of embracing each guest artists' personalities resulting in a collection of beautiful melodies music lovers of all ages will enjoy.