Interview »

It was truly an honor to finally able to approach Lee Ritenour and had an interview with him right before his performance at this year’s Java Jazz Festival 2010. (Check out the report and pictures of Lee Ritenour at Java Jazz Festival 2010 here).  Lee Ritenour is one of the most influential artists that has become the inspiration for many guitarists all around the world for some generations. One of our photographer who also play guitar admitted that the reason he play guitar was only because he was heavily inspired by Lee Ritenour. And that’s really no wonder. Lee Ritenour has been doing it for more than 30 years. Ever since he started his career at the tender age of 16, so far he has recorded over 40 albums, made an appearance on more than 3000 sessions, performing in every side of the world and definately has very solid fans in everywhere he goes. He charted over 30 instrumental and vocal jazz hits and also known as one of the pioneer in smooth jazz and jazz funk.

With that achievements there’s no doubt to place Lee Ritenour as one of the living legend. Even after this long span of career and experience, he still has his passion as strong as the time when he started it all. He showed it at the interview section as well, as he kept playing his guitar while he answered the questions we threw at him. Lee always loves to experiment with different styles of music, trying new things, exploring all kinds of music and place his signature in them. He has been a standout fusion player, but he also famous as a smooth jazz, pop, blues, classical to Brazilian or even rock. The nickname “Captain Fingers” was given to him for his amazing fingering skill, the name that he also used for his third album and song, released in 1977.

Currently Lee is focusing on a project named “Six String Theory”. This comes from the unique vision of Lee gathering 18 superstar of guitar players in a majestic collaboration, internationally, across genres and generations, from legends to the new ones. This project also includes an international guitar competition where he became one of the judges besides being the producer and artist for this magnificent project.

In just a short time given for an interview, we managed to ask Lee about many things. From his past, his coming to Indonesia, his thought about the Java Jazz Festival, his vision and more. Let’s hear what the Captain Fingers had to say.

Lee, it’s great to have you back again at the Java Jazz Festival. What made you decided to come back?
Well I’ve been coming to Indonesia since the late 80s, maybe the first time was in 1988 or something, I love Indonesia from the beginning. I love the people, I love the place, I love the way fans turn to the music, I love Bali (laugh)

What do you think about the Indonesian musicians?
In the earlier years it was a little too simple, too much coping of their cultures but now Indonesian sounds are getting stronger, the musicians are getting stronger, they are getting more individualistic..

Would you like to collaborate with more Indonesian musicians?
Yeah, it’s interesting. Maybe tomorrow finally I can come to hear more music at the festival. I wanna hear more on what the Indonesian artists are doing. Read the full story »

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