Four80East is a Canadian electro jazz ensemble from Toronto, Ontario, with Rob DeBoer (keyboards, bass and guitar) and Tony Grace (percussion); accompanied by various session musicians. Although Four80East began as a studio concept, they have evolved into a live act. Their music is known for its percussive, melodic flow and bass grooves.
History Four80East began as a studio project when DeBoer and Grace, who had been writing, arranging and producing for other artists on their Boomtang Records label (cf. The Boomtang Boys), put together material of their own and released it as The Album, in 1997. The Album was well received by critics and the public alike. The group's name comes from the address of Boomtang's recording studio, The Speed of Sound, at 480 Richmond Street East in Toronto.
In 1998, they had released music video titled "Four80East: Eastside" and styled black and white, based on music track from The Album under same name "Eastside". Video had been filmed on locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Director was Jeremy Hood, filmed by Domenico A. Galloro. Budget was estimated as CA$20,000 Filming studio was Raje Films.
The pair's second album Nocturnal, was released in 2001;"Four80East: Nocturnal". All About Jazz, By DAVE HUGHES February 1, 2001 DeBoer and Grace wrote all of the songs for the album, and enlisted tenor saxophonist Jon Stewart, flutist Andrew McPherson, and trumpeter Ivana Santilli to contribute instrumentals." Four80East Nocturnal". AllMusic review by Paula Edelstein
The album Round 3 came out in 2002, and included contributions from harmonica player Carlos Del Junco."Four80East: Round 3". Jazz Times, 03/01/2003 By Lucy Tauss
Their fourth album, En Route, containing instrumental dance music, was released in 2007."En Route by Four80East". Jazz Review, 13.03.2007 by Sheldon T. Nunn
Four80East's fifth CD, Roll On, came out in 2009, followed by a sixth, Off Duty, in 2012.
Four80East LIVE, a collection of 15 select songs recorded from three different shows, was released in early 2014.
The group is also featured on the 2007 compilation album, The Weather Channel Presents: The Best of Smooth Jazz.
Band members Permanent members Rob DeBoer – keyboards, bass and guitar Tony Grace – percussion
Albums Studio albums Year Album Peak chart positions LabelUSJazzUSCon.Jazz 1998 The Album 29 18 Boomtang 2001 Nocturnal 26 15 2003 Round 3 — — 2007 En Route 25 10 2009 Roll On 20 10 2012 Off Duty 26 11 2015 Positraction — — 2020 Straight Round — — 2021 Mixed Up (remixes) — — 2023 Gonna Be Alright — —"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.
Live albums Year Album Peak chart positions LabelUSJazzUSCon.Jazz 2014 Four80East – Live! — — Boomtang"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.
Extended plays Year Album Peak chart positions LabelUSJazzUSCon.Jazz 2018 Four on the Floor – (EP) — 11 Boomtang"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.
Singles Year Title Peak chart positions Album Smooth JazzAirplay 2007 "Noodle Soup" 3 En Route 2010 "Down to It" 25 Jack Prybylski – Out of the Box 2012 "M-Powered" 12 Marcus Anderson – Now "Sandbar" 23 Off Duty 2015 "Cookie Strut" 5 Positraction 2019 "Cinco Cinco Seis" 1 Mixed Up 2020 "Ba Ba Brazil" 6 Straight Round 2023 "This Time Around" 2 Gonna Be Alright 2024 "Gonna Be Alright" 24
References
External links Four80East Official site Four80East at Amazon.com Four80East on Facebook