Jazz-Pittsburgh.com Smooth Jazz Artist BiographyBoney James - smooth jazz instrumental R&B saxophonist CD RIDEVisit the Pittsburgh smooth jazz news resource and restaurant guide at Jazz-Pittsburgh.com, the official Smooth Jazz event listings website and best dining directory of jazz clubs in pittsburghBoney James - RIDE in Pittsburgh The coolest thing about any music is the way it makes you feel. Music can bring you comfort and joy or make you contemplative and sad. Sometimes music motivates you, other times it makes you just want to kick back and relax.
Instrumental music especially (ie smooth jazz--ok we're a little biased!), has a certain personal quality. The mood in which it places you--or the "journey" on which it takes you can be a magical experience tailored to fit. Without any lyrics or predetermined story-line to relate to, a listener can customize their "journey", their mood, or headspace they want to be in. He/She can create that exclusive place; with that exceptional guy or girl; at the perfect time of day--or night. But, of course, a listener's experience doesn't have to be personal all the time. After all, good mood-setting music is a gift that's meant to be shared. With his latest offering, "RIDE", the multi-talented saxophonist, keyboardist and producer Boney James continues to give smooth jazz fans a lot of great mood-setting music that always seems to gain a special placement and ranking in our collections. Some of his previous albums like "Seduction", "Sweet Thing" and "Body Language" are kept quite handy, too. Influenced by the late and great Grover Washington Jr., Ronnie Laws, Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Stevie Wonder, James' instrumental R/B easily connects with lovers of the smooth jazz genre. At eight years old, James (James Oppenheim) started out playing clarinet and soon after would switch to saxophone. In 1975, his family had moved to Los Angeles where he would start playing in various bands and also doubling on keyboards. After earning his degree in History at UCLA, he pursued music as a livelihood. James' first professional gig was with Morris Day and the Time. For about four years with the Time, James played keyboards and a little sax. Figuring that playing his saxophone as a sideman would be a better--and more lucrative--networking move, James soon became a first-call player for session work and tours developing his unique sound with folks like: Randy Crawford, the Isley Brothers, Bobby Caldwell, Teena Marie, and Vesta--a stellar collection of soulful R/B artists. James would later sign with the independent Spindletop Records in 1991 and release his solo debut "Trust" in 1992. Making the move to Warner Brothers in '93, James has met great success in the smooth jazz format with his jazzy R/B and funk-fused sound. In the mid '90s he increased his exposure touring as the opening act for Al Jarreau and the Rippingtons. James has been so successful that four of his albums, including "RIDE", have ranked no. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts. Yet to win a Grammy ("RIDE" was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album in 2002 and 2003), he's been honored with a nomination for a 2002 NAACP Image Award and, for "Sweet Thing", has received a 1998 Soul Train Music Award for Best Jazz Album. Kick your seat back as Boney sets the cruise control and mood for "RIDE". He starts the album with "Heaven" a laid back groove featuring the soothing vocals of Trina Broussard. Boney's alto playing soars and sings answering her choruses and building intensity throughout the song. You can always count on Boney to get your body moving with tunes like "Grand Central", "See What I'm Sayin'" (on which Marcus Miller plays bass), the title-cut "RIDE" featuring vocalist Jaheim, and a Jazz-Pittsburgh.com favorite, "This is the Life". Andy Narell's steel pans add a cool island flavor to this funk tune. Check it out... "Something Inside" has a heavy crossover R/B vibe featuring the vocals of Dave Hollister. "So Beautiful" sounds like another Boney classic having a soft-spoken but yet intense emotion that keeps you replaying it again and again. Recommended listening: with a significant other! And Boney, thanks for the gift [the music] that keeps on givin'! Boney James will be in Pittsburgh on Sunday, June 22nd, performing at the Three Rivers Arts Festival -- Symphony Stage at 7.30pm! See you there! For more information on Boney James visit: www.boneyjames.com. Don't forget to sign the Jazz-Pittsburgh Guest List and receive the newsletter to stay tuned to the announcements about what’s going on when and where! Leave any comments and/or suggestions you might have in the Guest Book and spread the word by Telling a Friend! See you at the show!! Also view:
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