“… Bob James is to jazz what James Brown is to R&B — the music and the musicians go hand in hand.” —NPR
Since he was discovered by Quincy Jones, James has had a long and storied career. He honed his skills working with Creed Taylor on CTI albums for artists like Hank Crawford, Art Farmer, Steve Gadd, Hubert Laws and Grover Washington, Jr. before recording upwards of 50 albums under his own name including several for Tappan Zee Records, the label he created.
An indefatigable musical pioneer, James became a household figure through his timeless television themes including Taxi. The Grammy Award winning record producer founded the multi-platinum band Four Play, and was recognized as one of the progenitors of smooth jazz; his collaboration with David Sanborn yielded the classic Double Vision in 1986. According to Vice, music from his first seven albums has often been sampled, and is widely believed to have contributed to the sound of hip-hop. It’s no surprise that James has gone on to be among the most sampled artists in hip hop history.
His Grammy-winning music is the very definition of groove jazz, and for this intimate evening of acoustic and contemporary jazz, Bob James brings an international quartet including the Ukrainian saxophonist Andry Chmut. The celebrated keyboardist, arranger, and composer to the stars has not performed as a leader in Denver in eons.
This performance is made possible with generous support from Matt Herzberger.
An Evening with Bob James
Thu, April 9
|
7:00 PM
Presented by Denver Jazz Fest
PERSONNEL
Bob James: piano, keyboards
Andry Chmut: saxophone
Michael Palazzolo: bass
James Adkins: drums
Ticket prices: $49-$79
PERSONNEL
Bob James: piano, keyboards
Andry Chmut: saxophone
Michael Palazzolo: bass
James Adkins: drums
Ticket prices: $49-$79
Gimme 5 with Bob James
Recently, DJF’s Don Lucoff caught up with Bob James for five quick questions.
Don Lucoff: Do you recall the last time you performed in Denver?
Bob James: It’s been too long. I’m very eager to perform for the Denver audience with my new music. I remember an outdoor festival in the park many years ago with Earl Klugh. And even further back in history performing at a downtown movie theater.
DL: When did you evolve the trio into a quartet and add a sax player?
BJ: I now have a saxophone player named Andrey Chmut in my quartet. He’s originally from the Ukraine. We met approximately eight years ago when he invited me to guest on one of his albums. I visited him and performed on one of his concerts in Kyiv where he lived at that time. I learned what a big star he was there, and beloved in the Ukrainian community. When I later invited him to my home and experimented with new music, I felt a special bond developing. We seemed to understand each other’s creative spirit. The day he left my home was the day of the Russian invasion. Since that time Andrey has lived in the U.S. and we have performed together all over the world. It is my honor to present him to the Denver audience.
DL: What type of repertoire will you be playing in Denver?
BJ: I like to keep a little for surprise, even from my band members, so that we and the audience will be going on an adventure together to new and unknown places. It will be a combination of the best-known music from past recordings and new — who knows, maybe even a world premiere!
DL: Do you recall the last time you performed in Denver as a leader, and where?
BJ: Gee, I have lots of vague memories, but I know it’s been too long. And that’s why I’m very eager to perform to the Denver audience with my new music. I remember an outdoor festival in the park many years ago with Earl Klugh. And even further back in history performing at a downtown movie theater.
DL: Who are you listening to these days?
BJ: The two main pianists that I continue to draw inspiration from are Glenn Gould and Keith Jarrett. Recent music that has fascinated me includes Beautiful Africa by Rokia Traore, and the song “Shades of Pleasure” by Gwilym Simcock.
DL: So many renowned artists from numerous genres have sampled your work. Has this led to any new collaborations with any of these artists?
BJ: On my most recent recording, Jazz Hands, I invited Jazzy Jeff. He and his partner Will Smith were the first that I discovered sampling my music. On their album He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper they sampled my recording Westchester Lady and it opened my eyes and ears to the emerging hip-hop sampling style.His collaboration with me is called “That Bop.”