Bob James

The godfather of smooth jazz is at his majestic, ground-breaking best. Two-time GRAMMY winner Bob James is recognized as one of the originators of Smooth Jazz, and one of the most sampled artists in hip-hop history. After being discovered by Quincy Jones in 1962, James made his mark at producer Creed Taylor’s CTI label in the 1970s when he was the architect of an innovative new sound that fused jazz with classical music and funk. Despite seven long decades in the music business, Bob James is still as relevant and cutting-edge as ever. His latest record “Jazz Hands” blends cool jazz tropes with funky dancefloor grooves, blues-tinged ballads, cinematic mood pieces, and sensuous slow jams. Simultaneously classic and contemporary, it’s Bob James at his majestic, ground-breaking, timeless best, and was nominated for “Best Contemporary Instrumental Album” at the 2024 Grammy Awards. His new quartet, featuring Andrii Chmut on Sax, James Adkins on drums, and Michael Palazzolo on acoustic bass, bring a fresh, new approach to his music.