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Biografie
Born James Oppenheim, the young James had discovered the joys of jazz music by a very early age, taking up the clarinet at the tender age of eight before switching to the saxophone by the time he was 10. However, it wasn’t until his family upped sticks from New York to Los Angeles when James was 14 that he started performing live around the jazz clubs of his new home state. As time went on James began to pick up other instruments, and after he’d finished his history degree at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1985 he became a session keyboardist, joining the backing band of R&B legend Morris Day.
While on tour with Day he convinced his paymaster to let him switch from keys to his primary instrument, the sax. After Day agreed, James’ name began to spread about his mastery on the tenor, alto and soprano Sax, alongside his considerable skills on keys and the flute. After leaving Day’s band, his clients included everyone from the Isley Brothers to Teena Marie and Sheena Easton, but it was while he was on tour with Randy Crawford in 1986 that he picked up his stage name. See, all this performing didn’t lead to enormous pay-checks, and James said to a fellow band member that he was running out of food money.His bandmate replied that if he started eating any less "We'll have to start calling you Boney James!".
James took the name to heart and has used it as a stage name ever since. Years passed going from backing band to backing band, but everything would change in the early 90’s, when his playing caught the attention of an engineer and producer called Paul Brown while playing in Bobby Caldwell’s band. Brown was so taken with his playing and the music that he wrote that he negotiated a contract with the independent label Spindletop Records for James and by 1992, James’ first solo album “Trust”, was released. For an independent album released before the internet revolution, it was a hit, one big enough to snag James a major label deal with Warner Bros. Records.
Since then, James has become one of the most respected jazz artists of his generation, consistently releasing great albums, collaborating with everyone under the sun and even having three of his albums go gold. Even a car crash in 2010 that fractured his jaw and shattered two of his teeth couldn’t keep him out of commission for longer than two months. He’s a true artist that has never been anywhere other than the top of his game, and in the highly competitive world of jazz, one that demands the very best out of everyone who performs in it, that’s a very rare thing indeed. Highly recommended.
Live-Bewertungen
BONEY JAMES IS SUCH A PHENOMENAL MUSICIAN, AN ACCOMPLISHED LYRICIST AND MUSICIAN, HAS SUCH A RAW TALENT AND IS PROVEN "TRIED AND TRUE" THAT HE IS AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMER OF THE SAX AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS THAT HE PLAYS. HIS SOUND IS ONE THAT IS KNOWN THROUGH HIS "RIFFS," HIS BEAUTIFULLY GRAFTED INTUITIVENESS OF HIS PROFESSION, THAT INCREDIBLE SOFT, SILKEN, SATINY SOUND THAT ONLY HE CAN DELIVER. IT HAS BEEN A MILESTONE AND THEN SOME SINCE I HAVE FOLLOWED THIS HUMBLE UNIQUE AND GREAT SAXOPHONIST. MY JOURNEY STARTED IN THE 90s JUST LIKE SOME OTHERS AT THE CAPITAL FEST OF DC. THIS YOUNG VIBRANT,"CURLY," PERSON CAME OUT ON THE STAGE AND WE DID NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT HIM AND I PERSONALLY HAD NOT HEARD HIM, BUT TO THE AMAZEMENT OF THE CROWD "WE WERE BLOWN AWAY." HIS STYLE, HIS PRESENCE, HIS SMILE AND HIS LOVELY MUSIC WAS SOMETHING TO BEHOLD! WE ALL WERE SO STUNNED AND LOOKED AT EACH OTHER IN THE CROWD AND SAYING, "WHO THE IS THAT,WHERE HAS HE BEEN HIDING." EVER SINCE, I HAVE BEEN A BJ FAN FOREVER! WE LOVE HIM SO MUCH IN THE DC AREA THAT WE NEEDED TO SHOW HIM; THUS HE WAS PRESENTED WITH A PRESENTATION FROM US TO LET HIM THAT WE HAD NOT FORGOTTEN HIM AND THAT WE CONTINUE TO LOVE ON HIS MUSIC. HE IS INDEED A PERFECTIONIST OF HIS WORK AND THE BAND IS "AWESOME." I TRY TO SEE HIM IN CONCERTS AS OFTEN AS I CAN BECAUSE I ENJOY HIS MUSIC AND HIS LOVE FOR HIS FANS!I AM EXCITED ABOUT SEEING HIM WHEREVER HE APPEARS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT BONEY JAMES WILL NOT DISAPPOINT! I WANT TO THANK BONEY JAMES AND HIS WONDERFUL AND SWEET MUSIC BECAUSE HE HAS GIVEN VOICE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, COLLABORATION IS HIS THING, HE SHARES WITH OTHERS AND YET STILL HAS NOT GOTTEN A "GRAMMY." IF ANYONE IN THE JAZZ FIELD DESERVES A GRAMMY, IT IS NO DOUBT, BONEY JAMES.
rubye-armorer
James Oppenheim better known by his stage name Boney James is one the USA's most esteemed jazz musicians, winning the acclaim of the Billboard's No. 3 Contempary Jazz Artist of the Decade. With an expert ability in the fields of songwriting, producing and of course the saxophone, it would seem there is nothing James cannot do.
He attracts a large fanbase to his performances, those who are fans of the traditional jazz genre along with the crossover converts. He has a large selection of musicians sharing his stage tonight and it would seem they have been performing together for years as there harmonies are completely on point. The Soul Train winner is continually chatting with the audience between breaks in songs and telling them stories about his travels and tribulations over a long career span. He closes tonight with two expert performances of 'Ain't No Sunshine' by Bill Withers followed by his original 'Sweet Thing' which both include incredible saxophone solos and receive boisterous applause from the crowd.
sean-ward
Awesome show..the music, the musicians, the venue! Everything just worked to make it a most magical night! Loved the way he interacted with the fans as he played, and even betweeen songs! My date even said she was jealous of some fortunate young lady Boney randomly chose to simultaneously dance with and serenade with his sax! She was pleased, however, when he did traverse the entire floor pausing along the way to do that several times! The duration of the concert was well-timed too! His CD's were reasonably priced and for sale in the lobby. And being down to earth as he is, he didn't disappoint us fans when he came right out to personally autograph some and pose for pics! Amazing man and superb artist...with an equally superb band! Thanks for making my date's evening so special as it was her first ever jazz concert! We are so looking forward to the next one, Boney! Honestly!
gdavis967
I saw Boney James at the House of Blues in Houston, Texas. His show was AMAZING, he played songs that if you are a "Boney James" fan were from all of his albums including his newest album "Honestly".
On the Prowl had the crowd screaming, Tic Tock set them a fire, and Sweet Thing had us out of our seats.
Boney came off the stage and walked/danced with the audience which in this day and age in humbling for a performer to have that much trust in his audience. Let's not forget his awesome band. They all are so AWESOME in their own right.
If you are a fan of "smooth jazz" this man brings back the "sexy" saxophone along with the groove we remember.....DO NOT MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THIS MAN, IF YOU DO YOU WILL REGRET IT BUT IF YOU SEE HIM YOU WILL GET YOUR MONIES WORTH AND SOME MORE. Loved every minute of the 2 1/2 hr show.
mommydrp1
Had a wonderful time at the concert last night. As always, Boney and his talented band entertain the crowd and had us all standing on our feet. At one point Boney came down from the stage and out into the audience and had us all just electrified with his incredible fingers on the Sax ! It's my second time seeing Boney in concert and I'm sure they'll be many more. However it was my first time seeing Avery Sunshine and what a talent she is !!
I hope Boney and Avery will come back to Sacramento for another evening of great music played by such talented musicians...
Salgal63
We attended the Boney James concert at the House of Blues in Houston last night. It was amazing! Boney is great in concert; natural entertainer; wants the audience to "groove." He is a very talented artist and music writer; I especially enjoyed the "old school" hits - Bill Withers and Chaka Khan would have been happy with the arrangements. The band was awesome! The drummer was outstanding; and the guitars were great! Keyboards too! It was an enjoyable evening. Listening to his new album on Spotify right now.
cynthia-warrick
I have been following Boney since the late 90's and he has become one of my favorites sax players. However this was the first time seeing him on a jazz cruise. He really interacted with the audience.They/we were jamming in the aisles.I was so into him didn't take photos. MEET SOME OF THE BOEYARD FAN CLUB MEMBERS. I HOPE HE DECIDES TO DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR. TICKETS WERE SOLD OUT BOTH SHOWS I HEARD....
grim-jobe-tommie
I have seen him three times at the Fraze in Kettering Ohio and the Rosein Huber heights. Never seen him at the Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati I am going to try to make that because I have not seen him in a while this will be a nice concert for me to go to so I'm going to try to make plans to attend look forward to seeing him it's been a while Boney James.
stephanie-anderso-45
The show I saw was in Mt. Airy Resort Casino on October 22, 2016. What a great show he and his band put on. He interacts with the audience which is so cool. I loved the show. He was fantastic and the band was outstanding as well but that drummer is out of this world. What a great show can't wait to see him again. Please come to Jersey.
karen-e-shells
It is always a treat to see Boney James in concert. He brings creative energy and a sound that is even better than his recordings. I have traveled to see him as well as attended his concerts in my hometown. He is an awesome talent so if he comes near you, definitely check him out!
Remahsa
