*“I recorded it last year in 2019…turns out that it was useful,’ said four-time Grammy nominated saxophonist Boney James about the release of his “Solid” (Concord Records) album. “The pandemic was not even on my horizon, it was the bad news and politics. I needed to be uplifted. I needed to make music.”
The “Solid” album debuted at #10 on Billboard’s “Top Albums Chart”, which also included Lady Gaga and Harry Styles projects. The album also reached #18 on Pollstar Live Streaming Chart.
“Music has always been there for me,” Boney added. “I just love being out here in the studio.”
Starting young, accumulating 11 #1 “albums” on the Billboard Charts, and having a name and sound that is recognized worldwide has earned Boney James the title of “living legend.” The album “Solid” is his 17th project. Born James Oppenheim, the saxophonist received his stage name, Boney James, from a fellow band member while on tour with Randy Crawford. He called him “boney” James because of his slim physic. James said it was his childhood name, when I asked if it was his nickname.
“When I was first called it I said please don’t call me that, but it’s been so long it’s like a childhood name,” he laughed.
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A native of Massachusetts and a graduate of University of California Los Angeles in history, James was playing the clarinet by the age of eight and by 10 years-old he switch to playing the sax. He also mastered the piano. At the age of 14 he moved to Los Angeles with his family.
As a musician Boney James started as a member of Morris Day’s Day Band in 1985, at the age of 24. He was a member of the Day Band for seven years and subsequently joined Randy Crawford’s Band on tour, the Isley Brothers and Teena Marie – to name a few.
Boney said “history” is still his interest, he likes reading historical book, but he says it’s his side thing.
“Music is a different side of my brain,” he laughed.
I told him choosing music was a great choice, he has such a distinctive sax playing – to me. James said if you play your horn based on what you’re feeling it becomes distinctive.
“Like a singer. You can tell who is singing,” he pointed out. “It comes from a true spirit.”
In 1992 at the age of 31 Boney James released his debut solo album “Trust.” The success of that album resulted in a record deal with Warner Bros. and he went on to release “Seductive,” “Sweet Thing and “Body Language” at the label. He met engineer and producer Paul Brown on the Bobby Caldwell Tour and that began 10 years of collaborations. He has also worked on the projects of Rick Braun, Raheem DeVaughn, Faith Evans, George Benson, George Duke, Al Jarreau, Anthony Hamilton, Jaheim, Eric Benet, David Hollister, Stokely Williams, and Angie Stone.
Aside from the four Grammy Award nominations James has also garnered two NAACP Image Awards and a Soul Train Music Award. He was also one of three named Billboard’s “Contemporary Jazz Artists of the Decade.” He planned a “Solid 2020 Tour” but it has been rescheduled for 2021, however he has 10 mini-concerts schedule for you to see him perform via Facebook Live. www.BoneyJames.com
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, MS, MBA, MPhil has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENTS: “Uplifting Minds II” Entertainment Conference (ULMII), founded by Eunice in 1999, is into its 21st year. Next events are coming to Los Angeles Saturday, November 7, 2020 via Zoom Video Conferencing and to Baltimore Saturday April 17, 2021 at Security Square Mall. The ULMII event is a free conference offering an Entertainment Business Panel Q&A Session, a Talent Showcase and Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance to receive over $15,000 valued in prizes/product/services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com for more information or to RSVP for Zoom Access email [email protected].
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