An Evening with Boney James

Overview

Opening performance by Guitarist Matt Marshak

Four-time GRAMMY nominee Boney James has returned with a dynamic, genre-busting album "The Beat". One of the most successful instrumental artists of our time with sales totaling over 3 million records, James’ new project fuses his R&B/Jazz roots with Latin rhythm and percussion. In their review of "The Beat", The New York Times said: "The relaxed charisma of Mr. James’ tone, especially on alto and tenor, is one reason his approach works.... Another reason is his sturdy sense of phrase. Like Grover Washington, Jr., a pioneer in this field, he sounds at ease but alert, and he’s capable of striking an imploring tone without an overdose of saccharine."

In addition to his GRAMMY nominations, James is a Soul Train Award winner and has been honored with two NAACP Image Award nominations for Best Jazz Album. He has accumulated four RIAA Certified Gold Records. To date, ten of James' albums have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart and two have reached the top 10 on the R&B Albums Chart, a rare feat for an instrumental artist. Boney is also renowned for his compelling live performances. According to The Boston Globe: “Let’s make something perfectly clear: James is not a smooth jazz player. Yeah, he is often grouped with people like Kenny G and Najee, but his music is muscular and gritty….James swaggers across the stage like a blacktop hero draining trays on an overmatched opponent. He even weaves his way through the crowd, all but daring them not to have a good time.”