Quincy Jones-- Best known as: The jazz/pop maestro who produced Michael Jackson's album Thriller, started his musical career as a trumpet player, touring with Lionel Hampton in the early 1950s. He soon gained a reputation as an arranger and composer, and was leading his own bands by the end of the decade. Since then he has worked as an arranger, composer and producer for some of the greatest performers of swing, jazz, blues and hip-hop, from Miles Davis and Frank Sinatra to Little Richard and Michael Jackson. Nicknamed "Q," Jones also became a noted composer of film and television scores who was especially active in the 1960s and 1970s: he composed moody, jazzy scores for films like In the Heat of the Night (1967, starring Sidney Poitier), The Anderson Tapes (1971, starring Sean Connery) and The Getaway (1972, starring Steve McQueen). He produced Michael Jackson's biggest hit albums, including Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982) and Bad (1987), and was also the producer and conductor for the famous "We Are The World" charity single in 1985. He founded VIBE magazine and Qwest Broadcasting and is the winner of over two dozen Grammys.
Boney James -- dislikes labels and refuses any and all of them. “In fact, I have never thought of myself as a ‘jazz’ artist specifically,” he says.
Of course, this statement may serve as a source of confusion for the musician’s legion of fans that have scooped up over 3 million copies of his twelve albums (with eight of them going to No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart). It also may seem contradictory to the respected opinions of music critics who consider him one of the most influential jazz artists of his generation. In 2010 Billboard Magazine named him “The No. 3 Top Contemporary Jazz Artist of the Decade.”
Even so, Boney James, who has four Gold albums, three Grammy® nominations, a Soul Train Award and an NAACP Award nomination to his credit, says, “I am just a saxophone player whose music has several different influences. Jazz is only one of them.”
His newest CD Contact — completely produced, arranged and co-written by James — is driven by the signature soulful grooves the world has come to expect from him, but with an added intensity. “I felt really inspired putting together the arrangements and producing the record,” he says. “There are a lot of things happening right now in modern music. The title, in one sense, refers to me reaching across genres and creating music that I believe is relevant and fresh.”
This incredibly accomplished artist — who broke into music in the mid-80s touring with acts such as The Isley Brothers, Morris Day (The Time), Randy Crawford and Teena Marie, and emerged as a solo force in 1992 with his breakthrough debut, Trust — has long been influenced by contemporary R&B.
Contact boasts high-profile vocal guest appearances from Grammy® and Tony® Award winner Heather Headley; platinum-selling singer and former member of Destiny’s Child, LeToya Luckett; and R&B superstars Mario and Donnell Jones.
“The title, ‘Contact’, initially reminded me of an electrical contact,“ says James. “But, once I started getting deeper into the record and writing the lyrics for the vocal songs, it seemed to me to also be about love, the connection between people and the frequent regret people experience as a result of missed opportunities. ‘Why did I not do this or that?’ People ask themselves that all the time. The word has so many layers.”
Contact also speaks to his personal life. Last spring, while in traffic on a Los Angeles highway, Boney’s car was totaled when he was rear-ended by a drunk driver. He instantly thought of the future of his career. “One moment, I was on my way home thinking about what I was going to have for dinner and the next moment I was in an ambulance with a fractured jaw and two missing front teeth thinking I may never play my sax again. Looking at the car, I knew I could have been killed. Months later, after healing, I was so grateful to be back on stage and back to work on the CD. The experience has actually had a positive effect on my shows and it was a great influence on the new CD, Contact.”
“When I Had The Chance,” featuring Letoya Luckett, is a beautiful ballad with a theme of regret. She sings along with James’ moody sax and together they deliver one of the most poignant moments on the album. “When I have a vocal song and I am looking for a singer, it’s almost like casting for me. I think, ‘Who can bring this song to life?’ I have been a huge fan of LeToya’s for years. In fact, when I first heard her song ‘Torn’ on the radio, I actually pulled over and called the radio station and asked who it was. She was the first one on my list to reach out to record this song.”
Boney says he has also been a fan of Heather Headley and was honored to work with her on the dancehall-tinged track “I’m Waiting,” despite the less-than-ideal recording conditions. “The night before our session, I was in the U.S. Virgin Islands, in St. Thomas, doing a show and she was in Chicago. So I traveled from an awesome 90 degrees to a 5-degree snow storm!” he laughs. “She is such a talent and I believe her acting experience was really helpful in her expression of the lyrics. It’s a song about a woman finding herself waiting and wishing for her boyfriend to get it together. On the sax, I am playing the role of the bad boyfriend. It’s an interesting duet.”
Also exciting are his collaborations with Mario on the club-influenced track “That Look On Your Face,” and Donell Jones on “Close To You,” a smooth but unexpectedly lively trip-hop-esque track. “I’ve admired Mario since his mega-hit ‘Let Me Love You’ and it was great working with him. I loved Donell’s early records in the late ‘90s and his current successful album, Lyrics. I thought he was the perfect voice for the track and he made the verses on the song really mean what I intended when I wrote them. It’s about a guy missing his opportunity and wanting to make contact with the woman he loves.”
Boney cites legendary producer Quincy Jones as a major inspiration. “I admire him and his ability to make great vocal tunes as well as instrumentals. His genius in combining both inspired me while making this record. I hoped to accomplish a true ‘hybrid’ of sounds.”
And although Boney’s music has in the past been categorized by some as “smooth jazz,” with his masterful new CD Contact he refuses to accept any type of labeling. “I always try to make sure my records possess integrity. I make Boney James music. I’m just trying to break down the barriers and make CONTACT.”
Herbie Hancock -- is a true icon of modern music. Throughout his explorations, he has transcended limitations and genres while maintaining his unmistakable voice. With an illustrious career spanning five decades and 12 Grammy® Awards including the 2007 Album Of The Year for ‘River: The Joni Letters’, he continues to amaze audiences.
There are few artists in the music industry who have had more influence on acoustic and electronic jazz and R&B than Herbie Hancock. As the immortal Miles Davis said in his autobiography, "Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and I haven't heard anybody yet who has come after him."
Roy McCurdy -- First-call drummer Roy McCurdy not only sips from the Fountain of Youth --- he bathes in it. Since the early 60’s, Roy has stoked the fire for Cannonball Adderley, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Milt Jackson, Bud Powell, Wes Montgomery, James Moody, Kenny Drew and Bobby Timmons, among others. Roy’s sensitive brushwork has also accompanied celebrated divas such as Nancy Wilson, Betty Carter, Ernestine Anderson, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald.
Billy Childs -- Both a brilliant pianist and composer, Billy’s phone rings often. The USC graduate has toured and performed with Freddie Hubbard, Branford Marsalis, Eddie Daniels, Bobby Hutcherson, Oscar Brown, Jr. and Allan Holdsworth. Billy also led Night Flight, a group that featured vocalist Dianne Reeves. In 1988, Childs began to record a series of four sessions as a leader for the Windham Hill label. Six years later, Mr. Childs penned a commissioned concerto for the Monterey Jazz Festival.
Azar Lawrence -- Like his primary influence, John Coltrane, Azar's eternal quest is the basis for his edgy, compelling improvisation. Lawrence has performed with Horace Tapscott, toured Europe with Clark Terry and enjoyed a brief stint with Elvin Jones. It was his association with McCoyTyner, that earned him critical acclaim. As a leader, Lawrence did three sessions for the Prestige label and has recorded with Miles Davis,Gene Harris, Woody Shaw, Stanley Turrentine, Freddie Hubbard, Phyllis Hyman and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Bobby Matos -- Native New Yorker Bobby Matos was born on July 24, 1941 and hails from a musical family where song and dance reigned supreme. His rhythmic roots were firmly entrenched when young Booby began to bang on pots and pans in his grandmother's apartment. Drawing from Hebrew and Puerto Rican ancestry, Matos learned to play the conga drums in the basements of Harlem churches. At age 16, he met Machito, the legendary Cuban bandleader. Bobby was also influenced by Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader and Ray Barretto. Mr. Matos has played with Poncho Sanchez, Joe Loco, Eric Gale and scores of others.
Pharoah Sanders -- With the wisdom within, Pharoah Sanders has always sought higher spiritual plateaus during his extraordinary career. His first instrument was a clarinet. High school band director Jimmy Cannon, was one of Pharoah's many influences. Both of his parents were music teachers. During his formative years, Sanders struggled, frequently sleeping on New York subways and pawning his horn for quick cash. In 1964, John Coltrane discovered him at the Village Gate. Trane was impressed by his heavy overtones and innovative approach. Mr. Sanders was also influenced by Harold Land, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker and James Moody. He has performed with Don Cherry, Sun Ra, Billy Higgins, Alice Coltrane, John Hicks and Cecil McBee, among others.
Dwight Trible -- The drum is considered by many as the oldest instrument but it obviously does not pre-date the human voice. That's where Dwight Trible has left an indelible impression on anyone who has heard the amazing range that propels his poignant offerings. Since his music is medicinal, Trible transcends traditional terrain to become a story-teller and healer. He was inspired by Betty Carter and has worked with Oscar Brown, Jr., Kenny Garrett, Bobby Hutcherson, Charles Lloyd, Kenny Burrell, Horace Tapscott, Steve Ture, Della Reese and Harry Belafonte, to name a few. Dwight Trible is truly, our tribal treasure.
