This list keeps growing of legendary musicians who will be judges for the competition. Your videos will be viewed by these greats!

Latest Guitar Judges:   Keb’ Mo’ and Pat Martino!!  Check out full panel of judges on the homepage, bottom of the screen

In the realm of musical versatility, few can surpass guitarist Lee Ritenour. A master at merging fusion, funk, jazz, classical, rock and blues, his passion for diverse genres has yielded a remarkable 45 solo albums. Credited with numerous jazz hits, he is the recipient of an impressive collection of well-deserved music industry honors and awards. Heralded as one of the greatest guitarists of our time, Ritenour is regarded as a pioneer among the music elite.

“When I was growing up, I loved jazz, rock, blues, classical, acoustic — almost every kind of guitar playing you could imagine,” said Ritenour. “That versatility worked out for my career ‘cause I kept changing, sometimes to the frustration of my audience, but I kept moving and changing and staying fresh with different idioms of music. In those 45 albums you’ll see quite a bit of variety. That has kept me fresh and kept me growing.”

A native of Los Angeles, California, Ritenour’s first recording session, in 1968 at age 16, was with The Mamas and the Papas. By the mid 70s, Ritenour became a highly sought after session guitarist. He worked with such luminaries as Aretha Franklin, Simon and Garfunkel, Dizzy Gillespie, Steely Dan, Tony Bennett and Pink Floyd, a list indicative of Ritenour’s musical diversity. In 1975 he made his solo recording debut with “First Course,” the first of dozens of musical masterpieces to follow.

Ritenour’s ability to cross over a variety of musical genres earned him the unexpected distinction of a pair of music videos for his songs “Is It You” and “Mr. Briefcase,” which were aired during the 1981 inaugural broadcast of MTV.

In celebration of 50 years as a guitarist, Ritenour released his “6 String Theory” album in 2010. The album featured appearances by John Scofield, Pat Martino, Mike Stern, George Benson and Slash. “6 String Theory” earned numerous honors, including Guitar Album of the Year (Guitar International Magazine); The Number 1 of the Best 50 Guitar Albums of the Year (Guitarist Magazine); and an Echo Award in Germany for Best International Instrumentalist. In addition, Guitar Player Magazine paid homage to Ritenour with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In cooperation with Yamaha Corporation, The Berklee College of Music, Concord records, Monster Cable and D’Addario guitar strings, Ritenour launched the “6 String Theory Guitar Competition,” which is now in it’s fourth year. (Artists may register at www.www.stringtheory.com.)

“It’s a way for me to give back to some younger players that are trying to make a mark for themselves,” says Ritenour. “To mentor and give to the generations that are coming up now. It’s just ridiculous the amount of talent that is floating around out there. It’s a great way for them to test where they’re at musically. It’s turned out to be a wonderful thing.”

With his critically acclaimed 2012 album “Rhythm Sessions” (his latest studio endeavor), Ritenour has begun the tedious task of formulating a follow-up.

“I’m just in the ramping up stages of the new album, planning the concept and putting the pieces together,” said Ritenour. “I’m at the bottom of the ground looking at the top of the mountain saying, ‘Oh my God that’s a very high mountain.’ That’s something I feel every time I start an album. By the time I get through conceptualizing and composing and then I get into the studio, the rest of it from there on out is a piece of cake. It’s the initial part that’s challenging. I will be making the record this year. I’m not sure if we’ll put it out this year or the first quarter of next year.”

“The guitar winner in the 6 String Theory Guitar Competition will get to play a track on the record,” Ritenour said. “Last year the rhythm section winners got to play a track on my “Rhythm Sessions” album. So that’s something that’s ongoing for these people. You get on a record where you’re being treated like a total pro with the best studio and the best players around you. Again, it’s a way to measure your own abilities. The only insurance policy a musician has is music education. The better you can be on your instrument — composing, arranging, writing, playing, producing — the more weapons you have and the longer you’re going to last in this business. You’ve got to stay humble.”

A seasoned veteran in the recording studio, Ritenour and his band are finding the rewards of performing live more gratifying than ever.

“My job as a musician is to really move people and make them smile,” says Ritenour. “To transcend wherever they’ve been in their life that day or that week and get to another place where they’re hearing their favorite song. We have a lot of fun on stage. I really like to interact with my band — that’s my whole thing. I like featuring my band and what they do well. So I try to bring the best out in my players and connect with my audience.”

By Rob Nagy

21st Century Media News Service

Posted:

http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2014/02/26/entertainment/doc530cc27cdc083396035884.txt?viewmode=fullstory

Lee Ritenour has been doing a week long residency at USC in collaboration with Patrice Rushen.   Abraham Laboriel joined Lee for a jam session after the performance workshop. Below is a photo of Lee being interviewed about his participation.

YAMAHA ANNOUNCES 4^TH BI-ANNUAL

LEE RITENOUR SIX STRING THEORY COMPETITION 2014

APPLICANTS CAN REGISTER FOR GUITAR, BASS, PIANO/KEYBOARD AND DRUMS THROUGH MAY 15, 2014

TOTAL PRIZE PACKAGE VALUE OVER $600,000

(Los Angeles- CA, February 2014) Yamaha is happy to announce its continued support for Legendary GRAMMY® winning guitarist/producer Lee Ritenour’s 4^th Bi-Annual Six String Theory Competition.  The competition debuted in 2010 with the release of Ritenour’s all-star guitar recording SIX STRING THEORY and by popular demand, expanded to include bass, piano/keyboard and drums with the release of RHYTHM SESSIONS in 2012.  The Six String Theory Competition has become a highly anticipated staple for aspiring musicians, providing them with professional and recording opportunities, educational scholarships, mentoring and prizes.   Previous winners have had the opportunity to professionally record on Ritenour’s albums and attend the Berklee College of Music on a full four-year scholarship.

Registration is open from January 15, 2014 through May 15, 2014 by submitting two YouTube videos via the website, www.sixstringtheory.com.  For Guitar, applicants may register in the genres of rock, blues, jazz/fusion, acoustic, classical/flamenco and country.  For Rhythm Players, any contemporary music style will be accepted including jazz, fusion, R&B, rock, blues, etc.  To access video of contest guidelines by Lee Ritenour and filmed by Yamaha.

In commenting Lee Ritenour stated:  “2014 promises to be a banner year for the growth of our competition.  I look forward to working with all of these talented musicians, mentoring them and giving them the opportunity to experience what the world of a professional musician encompasses.”

Partnering with Yamaha, Berklee College of Music, Montreux Jazz Festival, Blue Note, Tokyo, Crown of the Continents Guitar Workshop and Festival, Monster, Premier Guitar, JAZZIZ, Music Connection, Concord Records and D’Addario, the competition continues to grow and for 2014 offers a total prize package value of over $600,000.  The four grand prize winners (one in each instrument) will get to perform at a venue at the 2014 Montreux Jazz Festival. The Six String Theory guitar grand prize winner will perform with Ritenour and other guitar legends at the “Legends of Guitar” concert at Montreux, to be filmed in HD. Additional prizes awarded include four Berklee College of Music scholarships, Guitar finalist to record on Ritenour’s forthcoming 2014 Concord album, plus Yamaha instruments and endorsements, Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop Scholarships and more.

Advisory Board Judges will work with Ritenour to evaluate and determine the four winners.  Those judges include ACADEMY® and GRAMMY® award-winning musician/composer/producer Dave Grusin, along with John Patitucci, Dave Weckl, Harvey Mason, Patrice Rushen, John Beasley, Sonny Emory, Will Kennedy, Daniel Jobim, Alan Pasqua, Melvin Lee Davis, Tom Kennedy, Nathan East, Simon Phillips, Chris Coleman, Gary Novak and several notable guitarists including Steve Lukather, Joe Bonamassa, Joe Satriani, Daryl Stuermer and many more (see homepage of this site).

Additional Video filmed by Yamaha Guitars:

Lee Ritenour playing “Morning Glory” on the new Yamaha “L Series” guitar

Lee Ritenour discusses 2014 competition, new Yamaha “L Series” guitar and plays

Lee Ritenour discusses 2014 competition, sponsors, Advisory Board judges

We are adding  Guitar Advisory Board judges to the website shortly and will include greats such as Steve Lukather, Daryl Stuermer and others to be posted on the homepage soon. Stay tuned!