Jazz / Contemporary Jazz; Smooth Jazz; Instrumental Pop; Crossover Jazz
Boney James - soprano, alto & tenor saxophones, Mini-Moog, keyboards, synthesizer
Daddy Shakespeare - vocals
Dan Higgins - tenor saxophone
Jerry Hey - trumpet, flugelhorn
Rick Braun - flugelhorn
Bill Reichenbach - trombone
Bob James - piano
David Torkanowsky - piano, keyboards
Darrell Smith - piano, keyboards
Leon Bisquera - keyboards
Michael Egizi - keyboards
Dwayne "Smitty" Smith - synthesizer
Tony Maiden - guitar
Carl Burnett - guitar
Paul Jackson, Jr. - guitar
A. Ray "The Weeper" Fuller, Jr. - guitar
Marcos Loya - guitar
Roberto Vally - bass, electric bass
Me'Shell NdegeOcello - bass
Donnell Spencer, Jr. - drums
Peter Erskine - drums, cymbals
Lenny Castro - percussion
Paul Brown - hand claps
Eric Cadieux - special effects
Leslie Smith - background vocals
Roy Galloway - background vocals
Jeff Pescetto - background vocals
Boney James comes from somewhere over in the easy listening corner of jazz, with rhythms bordering on funk in one direction and soft soul in the other, with a lot of programmed drums (very well done) and deep, dark synth bass. Sometimes a male voice will venture out into the mix, but this isn't a particularly significant portion of the program -- just the right sort of sound for this kind of laid-back, late-night, easy listening material. James himself handles alto, tenor, and soprano sax duties with ease, playing relaxed, weaving lines throughout each cut and working with some decidedly pleasant arrangements. Seduction is smooth and self-assured, well-dressed, and fairly unremarkable.
---Steven McDonald, AMG
Boney James
Active Decades: '90s and '00s
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Instrumental Pop, Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz
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 Trust in 1992 (Spindletop) 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 |
