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Artist:

Boney James

Boney James

Born:
in MA

  • Birth Name: James Oppenheim
  • Genre: Jazz
  • Active: '90s, 2000s
  • Instruments: Sax (Tenor), Sax (Soprano)

Biography

A solid saxophonist whose style falls on the R&B-ish and pop side of jazz, Boney James (who is heavily influenced by Grover Washington, Jr.) is a consistent best-seller who can always be relied upon to put on a colorful live show. Born James Oppenheim, he grew up in New Rochelle, NY. The future Boney James studied clarinet when he was eight, switching to saxophone two years later. When he was 15, his family moved to Los Angeles. James was soon playing in a fusion band (Line One) which was strong enough to open for Flora Purim and the Yellowjackets. After a year attending U.C. Berkeley, he transferred to U.C.L.A. so he could continue playing with the band. He earned a degree in history but became a full-time musician after graduation, doubling on keyboards. James went on the road as a keyboardist with Morris Day in 1985 and eventually convinced Day that he should be playing saxophone instead. He spent four years with Day and became in-demand for guest spots on tenor, alto, soprano, and flute, playing with Randy Crawford, Sheena Easton, the Isley Brothers, Bobby Caldwell, and others. He picked up his nickname while on tour with Crawford. After mentioning to a keyboardist that he was running out of food money, the musician replied that if he ate any less, he would have to be called Boney James. The popular saxophonist made his debut as a leader with Spindletop in 1992 (Trust) and then in 1994 was signed by Warner Bros., where he recorded dates including Backbone, Seduction, Boney's Funky Christmas, Sweet Thing, Shake It Up, Ride and Pure. In 2006, Boney made the move to Concord Records and released Shine. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Representative Songs:

"Grazing in the Grass," "It's All Good," "Body Language"

Representative Albums:

Sweet Thing/It's All Good, Sweet Thing, Seduction

Similar Artists:

Michael Brown, Ronny Jordan, Najee

Performed Songs By:

Leon Bisquera, Carl Burnett, Darrell Smith, Jeff Carruthers

Worked With:

Dan Siegel, Tony Maiden, Paul Jackson, Jr., Allen Hinds, Jerry Hey, Randy Drake, Luis Conte, Lenny Castro, Paul Brown, Rick Braun, Peter White, David Torkanowsky
 
 
Wikipedia: Boney James

James "Boney James" Oppenheim, (born September 1, 1961 in Lowell, Massachusetts) is a saxophonist who popularized urban jazz (an updated version of contemporary jazz that contains elements of hip-hop).

Boney James is a two-time Grammy nominee and a Soul Train Award winner. He has accumulated three Gold records. His current and tenth CD, Shine, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts, #6 on the R+B chart and #44 on the Pop Chart. James produced the CD as well as wrote 9 of the songs.

James has produced remakes of classic soul songs, such as Chaka Khan's "Sweet Thing," Stevie Wonder's "Creepin'" and Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine (When She's Gone)". In addition, he collaborated with trumpeter Rick Braun on an album called Shake it Up. Their duets include "Grazin' in the Grass," which had been previously performed by the Friends of Distinction and Hugh Masekela. Other collaborations on "Shine" include Faith Evans, George Benson, Dwele and Philip Bailey.

Some James originals include "The Total Experience", "Metropolis," "After the Rain", and "Here She Comes."

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, he took up the clarinet at the age of eight and switched to sax when he was 10. Boney James started his teen years in New Rochelle, New York, as a Motown fan, which has contributed to his "musical influence and soulful R&B style." . He was influenced by popular saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr.. When James was 15 his family moved to Los Angeles, where he joined a fusion band which had some success opening for acts like Flora Purim and the Yellowjackets[1].

He received a history degree from UCLA, but began playing music full-time after graduation. He took up the keyboards and in 1985 played in Morris ("What Time Is It?") Day's band for four years. His R&B influence was strengthened by seven years of touring and sessions as a sideman with artists like Day, the Isley Brothers, Bobby Caldwell, Randy Crawford,Teena Marie and many others.

In the early days, after joining Bobby Caldwell's band, he caught the attention of the engineer/mixer & producer Paul Brown. In 1992 he released his debut album as leader (Trust) and was signed by the Warner Brothers label in 1994. In 2006 James moved to Concord Records[2] and with the release of "Shine" achieved his career highest Billboard chart position.

He is married to actress/director Lily Mariye of television's "ER."

Discography

  • 2007 Christmas Present
  • 2006: Shine
  • 2004: Pure
  • 2001: Ride
  • 2000: Shake It Up (with Rick Braun)
  • 1999: Body Language
  • 1998: Sweet Thing / It's All Good (New Edition Ver.)
  • 1997: Sweet Thing
  • 1996: Boney's Funky Christmas
  • 1995: Seduction
  • 1994: Backbone
  • 1992: Trust

See also

External links


This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 

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Artist. Copyright © 2008 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ® , a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Boney James".  Read more

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