Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin Jazz Legends, sponsored by Lexus

It's fair to say many more people know the two artists than they might imagine. Dave Grusin - who once considered becoming a vet for a few fleeting moments - has been composing film music since the 60s and became the most famous composer of movie scores of all time after creating the music that gave classics like Tootsie, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Havanna and The Firm their special atmosphere. He was rewarded with one Oscar and six nominations. Grusin has also left his mark as a pianist, ar...ranger and producer. He founded the GRP label with Larry Rosennel, which released the defining, largely fusion jazz albums of the 80s and 90s. The 68-year-old Lee Ritenour was just a teenager when he strummed with The Mamas and The Papas, who christened him Captain Fingers on account of his unparalleled virtuosity. He later collaborated with Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Pink Floyd, Simon & Garfunkel and Frank Sinatra. He has released more than 40 albums since the 70s, from which 32 rode high on the jazz charts. Several forums have voted him guitarist of the year. Two Hungarians, Antal Pusztai and Roland Balogh, have won the grand prize in the Six String Theory guitar competition Ritenour founded.

Lexus is the the key sponsor of the Jazz Legends programme.