The Meeting

In 1983 producers George Wein and Darelen Chean assembled "The Playboy Stars of the 80's" for that edition of the Playboy Jazz Festival, thereby bringing "The Meeting" into existence; the resulting all-star lineup featured keyboardist Patrice Rushen, drummer Ndugu Chancler, electric bassist Alphonso Johnson, and tenor-saxophonist Ernie Watts. Because the four players shared comparable tastes—anchored in jazz yet receptive to funk and r&b—they continued performing together intermittently as a stable unit. Rushen and Chancler, longtime acquaintances, additionally collaborate on frequent club appearances throughout the L.A. area. The Meeting has documented its work on releases for GRP and Hip Bop; the latter album, issued in 1995, substitutes Freddie "Ready Freddie" Washington for Johnson on bass.