Boney James

Boney James, (born James Oppenheim, September 1, 1961 in Lowell, Massachusetts) is a saxophonist who popularized urban jazz (an updated version of contemporary jazz that contains elements of R&B and hip-hop). He is one of the most successful instrumental artists of our time, with sales totaling over 3 million records.

Boney James is a two-time Grammy Award nominee (for Best Pop Instrumental Album) and a Soul Train Award winner (Best Jazz Album). In 2001 he was also honored with an NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Jazz Album. He has accumulated four RIAA certified Gold records. His current and twelfth CD, "Send One Your Love", spent 8 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts and debuted at #21 on the R&B chart. James produced the CD as well as wrote 4 of the songs.

James has recorded arrangements of classic soul songs, such as Chaka Khan's "Sweet Thing," Stevie Wonder's "Creepin'" and Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine". Some James originals include "The Total Experience", "Metropolis," "After the Rain", and "Here She Comes."

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 James collaborations include Faith Evans, George Benson, Dwele, Esthero, Philip Bailey, Anthony Hamilton, Jaheim and Angie Stone.