Cassandra Wilson, Grammy-Winning Jazz Musician, Dies at 70 #jazz #music

Cassandra Wilson, the Grammy-winning jazz singer, songwriter, and producer, has died. She was 70.

Wilson’s longtime manager Robert Torre shared with WBGO that Wilson died early Wednesday morning in Jackson, Mississippi. A cause of death was not given.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Cassandra Wilson, the Grammy Award-winning and legendary jazz artist,” reads Torre’s statement. “Cassandra Wilson transitioned peacefully at home, surrounded by family, close friends, and her manager. Her family and close friends respectfully ask for privacy during this difficult time as they grieve her loss.”

Throughout her career, Wilson was a relatively prolific jazz musician with an emotive contralto who incorporated elements of blues and funk into her songwriting. She won two Grammys, including the award for best jazz vocal performance in 1997 with “New Moon Daughter” and best jazz vocal album in 2009 with “Loverly,” and collaborated extensively with Steve Coleman as well as the Roots, Wynton Marsalis and Greg Osby. In 2001, Time magazine declared her “America’s Best Singer.”

Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Coleman began playing piano at the age of six and picked up the guitar at 12, according to a bio on her website. She moved to New York City in the early 1980s and met saxophonist Coleman to found M-Base, a collective of musicians that also counted Geri Allen and Osby.

She released her debut solo album “Point of View” in 1986 and followed with a string of projects before signing to Blue Note Records for 1993’s “Blue Light ‘Til Dawn,” hailed at the time for its blend of blues, jazz and pop but also considered controversial in the jazz world for skirting more traditional jazz conventions.

Over the years, she continued to record and release albums of originals and covers of songs from Neil Young, Cyndi Lauper and Bob Dylan. She collaborated with numerous artists across genres including Luther Vandross, Angelique Kidjo, Terrence Blanchard and Olu Dara. She most recently released her final solo album “Coming Forth by Day” in 2015 as an homage to Billie Holiday.

The Kensington Market Jazz Festival Returns September 18 -20 With Alex Bird, Hilario Duran, Robi Botos, Rich Brown, Jane Bunnett, Marc Jordan, Robert Priest + More #jazz #music

 

 

The Kensington Market Jazz Festival Returns for Its 11th Year, September 18 to 20, 2026, With First Artists Confirmed: Alex Bird, Hilario Duran, Robi Botos, Rich Brown, Jane Bunnett, Marc Jordan, Robert Priest

The Kensington Market Jazz Festival (KMJF) is coming back. Now in its 11th year, the festival returns to the streets, stages, patios and intimate venues of one of Toronto's most storied neighbourhoods on September 18, 19 and 20, 2026. More announcements are coming, but the festival is kicking things off with five of the biggest names in Canadian jazz: Alex Bird, Hilario Duran, Robi Botos, Rich Brown, Jane Bunnett, and book readings from Marc Jordan and Robert Priest, including the premiere of a new event – the Poetry Slam.

Since its inaugural weekend in September 2016, when over 200 Toronto musicians filled 9 Kensington Market venues and the Globe and Mail called it "wildly successful," KMJF has operated by a principle that sets it apart from every other festival in the country: Better, Not Bigger. No massive sponsorship infrastructure, no distant stadium stages. Instead, year after year, the festival brings hundreds of Canadian musicians into the cafes, courtyards, community halls and open-air patios of Kensington Market, including the new addition of the iconic El Mocambo, giving audiences experiences that feel genuinely intimate, spontaneous and alive. Over 11 years, KMJF has presented more than 500 Canadian artists across dozens of venues, powered entirely by over 100 dedicated volunteers and sustained by a community that believes deeply in what the festival represents.

KMJF was founded by Molly Johnson, O.C., collaborating with Tracy Jenkins of Lula Lounge and the 2025 Shaw Festival, and remains artist driven and volunteer powered in every sense of those words. Johnson, a two-time JUNO Award winner, Officer of the Order of Canada, Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and 2023 Governor General's Performing Arts Award recipient for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, grew up in Kensington Market and built the festival from a deeply personal vision of what a community arts event could be. "I started KMJF to showcase the cultural tapestry of our market," Johnson has said. "Your support makes this celebration possible."

That vision has never wavered, and as Johnson continues to be one of the most creatively active figures in Canadian music, her new EP 'Long Time Running' features a soulful reimagining of The Tragically Hip's iconic anthem alongside Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, as well as a striking new collaboration with JUNO Award winning rapper Haviah Mighty, KMJF heads into its 11th year with its founder at full creative force.

The first five artists confirmed for 2026 reflect exactly the kind of connected, community-built lineup KMJF has always stood for, several with direct ties to Johnson herself. Two-time JUNO nominated vocalist Alex Bird brings his swinging take on the Great American Songbook to the festival alongside pianist Ewen Farncombe and The Jazz Mavericks, the duo behind Canada's Thanksgiving anthem, "The Sweetest Moments." Cuban born, Toronto based pianist Hilario Duran, a two- time JUNO winner and Grammy nominee who once succeeded Chucho Valdes in Cuba's famed Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna, returns to the festival alongside longtime collaborator Jane Bunnett, the five time JUNO Award winner, Order of Canada recipient and soprano saxophonist whose decades long exploration of Afro-Cuban jazz began the same year Duran first appeared on her JUNO winning album 'Spirits of Havana.' JUNO winning pianist Robi Botos, the last protege of Canadian jazz legend Oscar Peterson and Molly Johnson's own pianist of choice for close to 15 years, joins the lineup alongside acclaimed bassist and composer Rich Brown, JUNO nominated for his album 'Abeng' and another longtime collaborator of Johnson's, rounding out a first announcement built on the same web of relationships and mutual respect that has defined KMJF since its founding.

A typical KMJF weekend sees more than 100 Toronto-based Canadian musicians performing across 10 venues in over 100 shows, drawing upwards of 5,000 engaged audience members and generating meaningful foot traffic for the more than 240 independent businesses that call Kensington Market home. The festival's programming has always extended beyond performance, encompassing the KMJF Kids Music Series in the park sponsored by Long & McQuade, artist recording initiatives, seasonal music series and a busking programme that brings live music to corners of the neighbourhood that rarely see a stage. Tickets are available for cash at the door, ranging from $20 to $25, and audiences are always encouraged to arrive early: these are intimate shows, and they fill up.

Last year's 10th anniversary edition was a landmark moment for the festival, bringing together a lineup that included Jane Bunnett, Afro-Cuban piano master Hilario Duran, powerhouse vocalist Alana Bridgewater, JUNO winning reggae-jazz fusionist Jay Douglas and festival favourite Alex Pangman, among many others.

This year sees the return of a live painting by Jared Olsever made the 2025 weekend one the community will not soon forget. The 2026 edition builds on that momentum, and this first wave of artists is only the beginning.

As a registered charitable arts organisation since 2021, KMJF relies on the generosity of its community to keep the music going year after year. Donations above $25 are tax deductible and can be made at kensingtonjazz.com. Volunteers are also a vital part of everything the festival does. If you would like to be part of the team that makes KMJF happen, volunteer sign up is open now at kensingtonjazz.com.

This year's festival is made possible with the help of Canada Council, City of Toronto, Ontario Creates, Canada Life, Slaight Family Foundation, Long & McQuade, Yamaha, and KMBIA.

GRAMMY® winners and Billboard hitmakers help contemporary jazz guitarist Les Sabler shape ten songs for his tenth album, Ten, arriving October 9 #jazz #music

Contemporary jazz guitarist Les Sabler has spent the last two years building toward his milestone tenth album by releasing a series of singles crafted with GRAMMY®‑winning and Billboard chart‑topping producers. The aptly titled Ten arrives October 9.

 

Sabler began the project in 2024 with hitmaker Greg Manning, cowriting and producing three tracks that now anchor the album. Their first single, the funk‑charged “Hot Chicken,” is slathered in spicy horn section parts. It was followed by Sabler’s first Billboard No. 1 hit, “Patches’ Groove,” featuring trumpeter Michael “Patches” Stewart — a sultry, sophisticated cut that became Billboard’s No. 2 Smooth Jazz Song of the Year in 2025. The brisk and buoyant “Drive” completed the trio also climbed the charts.

 

A fourth Sabler–Manning collaboration, “Boomerang,” emerged from a second session shortly after the prolific run that produced “Hot Chicken,” “Patches’ Groove,” and “Drive.” It will be released as a single and begin collecting playlist adds on September 7.

 

“Greg and I came up with this song which started out with a completely different vibe,” said Sabler. “I left it alone for an extended time before revisiting it and came up with a different concept which Greg expanded on. We successfully reimagined the song, and it really came to life after Eric Valentine (drums), Mel Brown (bass), and Luis Conte (percussion) added their parts,” said Sabler.

 

Sabler then reunited with two‑time GRAMMY® winner Paul Brown (Boney James, Al Jarreau, Norman Brown), who produced his Tranquility (2021) and Flying High (2023) albums. Together with GRAMMY® nominee Brian Bromberg and Jeffrey Smith, they wrote “Café On The Square,” the mid‑tempo single that has already spent over six months on the charts, along with two additional tracks on Ten: “Once In A Lifetime” and the soulful R&B‑pop standout “Fly Away.”

  

To expand the album’s soundscape, Sabler sought fresh creative energy from Nelson Braxton, who has landed Billboard No. 1 singles as half of the Braxton Brothers.

 

“Expanding the sonic palette through a collaboration with Nelson added a brilliant new dimension to the project,” said Sabler, who cowrote “Corner Pocket” and “Sunset Comfort” with Braxton, who produced. Sabler reunites with pianist Allon Sams on “Corner Pocket” who appeared on his Bridge The Gap album

 

The album closes with “Serengeti,” which Sabler reimagined to pay tribute to legendary Canadian guitarist Sonny Greenwich, who he first saw perform in the late 70s.

 

“Completing this project with a tribute to Sonny Greenwich brings my journey full circle, as his music had a profound influence in my youth and continues to inspire my creative path today. I wanted to pay homage to Sonny for decades of inspiration, encouragement, and friendship,” said Sabler, who produced the track with Braxton (keyboards) and is joined by GRAMMY®-winning drummer Gregg Bissonette, upright bassist Brian Allen, pianist David Garfield, and Conte on percussion.

 

Across Ten, Sabler plays electric guitar with fervor — ripping runs and riffs with dexterity and alacrity. On “Sunset Comfort” and “Serengeti,” he shifts to expressive nylon‑string guitar and adds 12‑string acoustic textures on the latter. The album’s melodies are lively, its grooves soulful, and its production richly constructed.

 

Sabler grew up in Montreal, studying jazz at Concordia University before attending graduate studies at the University of Miami. He debuted in 1990 with Hidden Treasure and his breakthrough came with his third album, Bridge the Gap. The title track became his first No. 1 single in Canada and earned Album of the Year and Guitarist of the Year nominations at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards.

 

Throughout his career, Sabler has collaborated with elite musicians — GRAMMY® winners Jeff Lorber, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Jerry Hey, and GRAMMY® nominees Eric Marienthal and Alex Acuna. He has continually pushed himself creatively, from recording exclusively on nylon‑string guitars for Crescent Shores to singing in Portuguese on his elaborately orchestrated Jobim Tribute collection. Last year, Sabler’s music earned 6.6 million Spotify plays, contributing to more than 21.6 million streams to date.

 

With Ten complete, Sabler is eager to share the next chapter, which will be his first album available on vinyl.

 

“I am thrilled to share this album which features an immersive variety of songs that flow together seamlessly. It is deeply meaningful to me that I am continuing to create and release new music so vibrantly infused with inspiration.”

 

Ten contains the following songs:

 

“Drive”

“Boomerang”

“Corner Pocket”

“Hot Chicken”

“Patches’ Groove”

“Once In A Lifetime”

“Café On The Square”

“Sunset Comfort”

“Fly Away”

“Serengeti”

 

 

Pre-save Ten: https://myiesstore.com/lessabler/product/ten-digital-download/

 

For more information: https://lessabler.net  

New Release: Peter Cincotti Feat. Chris Botti - Vibe #jazz #music

 

PETER CINCOTTI PARTNERS WITH GRAMMY®WINNING TRUMPETER CHRIS BOTTI ON SULTRY NEW SINGLE ‘VIBE’ Impacting September 18th, 2026 Formats: Jazz, NPR, Non-Commercial, Smooth Jazz, Triple A FOCUS TRACK FROM IN COLOR: PART TWO SET FOR RELEASE ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

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“Changing the rules.” - CNN “A stunningly precocious singer, pianist and composer” - Vanity Fair

Seductive, cinematic, and effortlessly cool, "Vibe" is a late-night jazz-pop fusion that explores the quiet intensity of raw attraction. Navigating the unspoken gravity that pulls two people together, the song captures the intoxicating magic of human connection.

Peter Cincotti will support “Vibe” featuring Chris Botti with a coordinated international promotional campaign spanning live touring, traditional media, press, digital, and social media. The single will be prominently featured throughout Cincotti’s ongoing world tour, providing consistent exposure to audiences across the U.S., Europe, and international markets. The release will be supported by targeted press and media outreach, including interviews, radio opportunities, editorial coverage, and promotional appearances tied to both the single and tour. A dedicated social media and digital campaign will run across Cincotti’s platforms, featuring performance content, collaborative assets highlighting Chris Botti, short-form video, release-focused creative, and ongoing audience engagement. Additional promotion will include DSP and playlist outreach, artist-to-fan marketing, and coordinated publicity efforts designed to build sustained awareness and airplay for the track. The combination of two internationally recognized artists, an active global touring schedule, and a multi-platform promotional campaign will provide “Vibe” with significant visibility throughout its release cycle.

Upcoming Tour Dates: Oct. 1-2, 2026 – Receptions Event Center – Erlanger, Kentucky Oct. 13, 2026 – Espace Carpeaux – Courbevoie, France Oct. 29-30, 2026 – Ermatingen Jazz Club – Ermatingen, Switzerland Nov. 1, 2026 – Blue Note Milano – Milan, Italy Nov. 21-22, 2026 – Middle C Jazz – Charlotte, NC

About Peter Cincotti: For more than two decades, Peter Cincotti has distinguished himself as one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters and pianists of his generation, building a sound that moves fluidly between pop, jazz, soul, and contemporary songwriting.  A born and bred New Yorker, Cincotti made history at 18 years old when his self-titled debut album reached #1 on the Billboard Jazz Chart, making him the youngest artist ever to achieve that distinction. He’s performed in some of the world’s most prestigious venues, from Carnegie Hall in New York and L’Olympia in Paris, to stages throughout Europe, Asia, and beyond. He’s shared the stage with a diverse group of iconic artists ranging from Ray Charles to Andrea Bocelli, while the The New York Times described him simply as “Going on Legend.” Cincotti has sold out multiple residencies at the legendary Café Carlyle in New York City prompting Town & Country magazine to declare that Peter is “Already a New York Institution.” His albums have been produced by music icons such as Phil Ramone and 16-time Grammy Award winner David Foster, and he’s collaborated with an eclectic range of artists, from Seal to David Guetta, reflecting the musical versatility that has remained a hallmark of his work. From his record-breaking debut album to In Color, Cincotti has evolved into an internationally celebrated performer, songwriter, and recording artist with a body of work—and a musical identity—entirely his own.

Dolly Parton, country star, actor and philanthropist, dies aged 80 #music

Dolly Parton, one of the greatest singer-songwriters in country music who was also much cherished for her philanthropy, has died aged 80.

Her death was announced by nephew Brian Seaver on Instagram. “I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now,” he said. “It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.”So gifted that she wrote two of the 20th century’s greatest songs – Jolene and I Will Always Love You – in a single day, Parton’s songwriting was characterised by its vivid storytelling, emotional acuity and melodic strength, all sung with strident clarity. From an eventual catalogue of hundreds of songs, she scored a record 25 US country No 1 singles and 47 albums in the country Top 10 . She crossed over into the pop charts with 9 to 5, a US No 1 in 1980; balanced her music career with acclaimed acting, twice earning Golden Globe nominations for her roles; and her Imagination Library literacy scheme donated more than 150m books to children.

This was all done with considerable panache, rhinestoned glamour and towering hairdos, with her immortal assertion regarding her appearance – “it takes a lot of money to look this cheap” – the most quoted example of Parton’s ready wit.

Parton was born in poverty in a one-room cabin in Tennessee, the fourth child to a mother who would have 12 children by the age of 35, and a father who was a farmer and construction worker. One of her best-loved songs, Coat of Many Colours, was about her mother creating patchwork clothes; Parton’s first guitar was cobbled together from a mandolin with bass guitar strings. Her first proper guitar was given to her aged eight by her uncle, and she went from singing in church, to appearing on local television aged 10, to cutting her first record aged 13. That year she appeared at the Grand Ole Opry, the concert hall in Nashville at the centre of country music, and her performance was introduced by Johnny Cash. “I’ve always believed things would go well, and I dreamed that they would even before I was in high school,” she later said. “I always wanted to be a star. It just seemed natural to me.”

After graduating high school in 1964 she moved to Nashville and started out as a songwriter rather than performer. The following year she was signed as an artist and initially moulded as a pop singer, without success; after she was allowed to switch to country, she scored back-to-back hits and released her debut album Hello, I’m Dolly. In 1966 she married Carl Dean – who died in 2025, with the couple renewing their vows in 2016 to mark 50 years together.

Beginning in 1967, a duet partnership with country singer and TV personality Porter Wagoner helped her star continue to ascend, and she had her first country No 1 in 1971 with the song Joshua.Jolene, her unforgettably raw and desperate plea to a rival lover, was released in 1973 and became her first UK success, reaching No 7. I Will Always Love You, written to Wagoner as a farewell after their creative partnership, was a country No 1 in 1974 and again via a re-recorded version in 1982, and would go on to be a huge pop success when revived by Whitney Houston for the soundtrack of The Bodyguard in 1992: it is still the bestselling single of all time by a woman, with an estimated 20m sales.

In the mid 1970s Parton broadened her sound, embracing pop-rock arrangements on songs such as 1977’s Light of a Clear Blue Morning – its accompanying album New Harvest … First Gathering was her first entry in the pop album chart. Later that year its follow-up Here You Come Again reached the Top 20 and was her first million-selling LP, powered in part by its hit title track, which also won Parton the first of her 10 Grammy awards.

1980 was a peak in her success, with three back-to-back country No 1s, including 9 to 5, taken from the film of the same name which Parton starred in alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, earning her an Oscar nomination for best original song. Parton would later write songs for a stage musical version of 9 to 5, in 2008.

Another classic single came in 1983: Islands in the Stream, a duet with Kenny Rogers, which topped the US pop charts, and a Christmas album with Rogers in 1984 went two times platinum. There were more notable film roles in the 1980s, too, opposite Burt Reynolds in the The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Sylvester Stallone in Rhinestone, and an all-star female ensemble in Steel Magnolias.

R&B Flutist David Crawford Reimagines “Let’s Stay Together” as He Expands Into Children’s Storytelling With New Book and Music Companion #music

Veteran R&B flutist and arranger David Crawford returns this month with a burst of creative energy, releasing a vibrant instrumental interpretation of “Let’s Stay Together” on Friday (August 21) while also debuting his first children’s book, Kids Bible Compass, accompanied by an original musical companion project.

 

Crawford, whose career includes performing, producing, orchestrating, and arranging for icons such as Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige, Bill Withers, Isaac Hayes, and Vesta, brings a fresh perspective to Al Green’s 1971 classic No. 1 hit that became a hit again when recorded by Tina Turner in 1983. Crawford’s version lifts the ballad’s familiar longing into an upbeat, flute‑driven dancer with bright, whimsical nuances.

 

Although Crawford’s rendition radiates joy, his connection to the song began during a difficult chapter of his life.

 

“I was in love with an older woman, and a friend of mine in the same apartment complex was going through a breakup at the exact same time,” Crawford said. “We were devastated. We’d sit together, have a drink, and play Al Green records. ‘Let’s Stay Together’ became our crying song. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade that memory for anything. I still love the song, and I finally decided to record it.”

 

The single follows Crawford’s earlier 2026 release, “Africa Nouveau,” an original composition that will appear alongside “Let’s Stay Together” on his forthcoming debut album, Something Borrowed, Something New. Additional singles are planned ahead of the album’s release.

 

Crawford’s creative output this month also includes his first children’s book, Kids Bible Compass, which guides young readers through the Old and New Testaments. The book is paired with Singing the Books of the Bible, a musical companion designed to help children learn scripture through melody and storytelling.

 

Raised in Compton, California, Crawford earned his master’s degree in music from the California Institute of the Arts. His flute performance and recording credits include Stevie Wonder, Ahmad Jamal, and The Temptations along with orchestral appearances with the Afro American Chamber Music Society Orchestra, Santa Monica Symphony, and Burbank Philharmonic. Crawford arranged and conducted Rene & Angela’s two million-selling single, “My First Love.”

 

For more information, visit https://davidncrawford.com.

 

Guitarist Mark Murphy to release new recording "By Your Side" #music

Mark Murphy Website

Eva Cassidy – New Jazz Single “It Don’t Mean A Thing” #jazz #music

Eva Cassidy It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) Impacting September 18th, 2026 Format: Classical, Jazz

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Eva Cassidy Vocal With Sensational New Big Band Arrangement!   The first release from the forthcoming album JAZZED, It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) showcases Eva Cassidy at her most exhilarating. Long celebrated for her interpretations of folk, blues and contemporary classics, this remarkable new recording reveals another side of Eva's extraordinary artistry – a jazz vocalist of exceptional imagination, virtuosity and swing. Originally written by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills in 1931, the song is transformed by Eva's uniquely expressive voice and instinctive musicality, creating a performance that feels both timeless and entirely original. Her effortless phrasing, infectious sense of rhythm and joyful spontaneity reaffirm her reputation as one of the great interpreters of American song. Complementing Eva's tour de force vocal performance is a spectacular new big band arrangement by composer Christopher Willis. Instantly transporting listeners back to the golden age of American vocal jazz, the arrangement revels in the wit, energy and exuberance of the classic Sinatra era, drawing inspiration from the legendary work of Nelson Riddle and Billy May while allowing Eva's voice to remain firmly centre stage. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) is the perfect introduction to JAZZED – an extraordinary new collection celebrating Eva Cassidy's jazz performances and her unique ability to transcend era, style and fashion. Timeless, joyful and irresistibly swinging, it offers a fresh perspective on one of the twentieth century's greatest songbooks while reminding us why Eva Cassidy remains one of music's most captivating voices.

 

New Single from Boney James & Ledisi "I Belong To You" on Concord Records / Concord #jazz #music

FOUR-TIME GRAMMY NOMINEE + MULTI-PLATINUM SAXOPHONE ICON BONEY JAMES ANNOUNCES MILESTONE 20TH STUDIO ALBUM  A SIMPLE MAN OUT OCTOBER 2 VIA CONCORD RECORDS BONEY JAMES SHARES NEW SINGLE “I BELONG TO YOU” FEAT. LEDISI IMPACTING NOW

Twenty albums into a career built on deep groove and a saxophone voice all his own, Boney James is still finding new ground. Today, the four-time GRAMMY nominee and multi-platinum saxophonist, composer and producer announces new album A Simple Man, arriving October 2 via Concord Records, alongside the new single and official music video “I Belong To You” featuring Ledisi. Vinyl editions of the album will be available November 6.

Boney James - I Belong To You feat. Ledisi (Official Music Video)   A warm, contemporary R&B duet, “I Belong To You” reunites James and Ledisi more than two decades after they first appeared together on the Luther Vandross tribute album Forever, For Always, For Luther. Co-written by James and Ledisi with BeatsMadeByFresh and Rex Rideout, the song pairs her commanding vocal with the expressive tenor playing that has made James one of instrumental music’s most recognizable voices. Its intimate video keeps the focus on that exchange, moving between the two artists against a dark, minimalist backdrop.

Produced by James, A Simple Man is a soulful collection shaped by his growing desire for clarity. The title began with a song, then became a reflection of how he now approaches both his work and his life: removing distraction so that the essential elements can come through more clearly. “I don’t need a lot of things to make me happy,” says James. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve wanted to drop the extraneous things. The simple life is something I crave, and that spirit found its way into this album. A Simple Man is about getting closer to what feels essential, both in the music and in my life.”   That focus does not make the record restrained. Instead, it gives James room to move freely across the musical language he has spent decades developing, with R&B feeling at its center and jazz tradition always within reach. The album opens with “Dreams,” featuring a rare flute performance from James. “Morocco” brings him together with acclaimed trumpeter Marquis Hill for a layered meeting of live instrumentation and electronic texture. “The Midnight Sun” grew from a spontaneous soundcheck jam that James captured on his phone before rebuilding it in the studio.   Elsewhere, “The Wire” draws from the mood of 1970s soul soundtracks. Legendary guitarist Larry Carlton joins James on the Steely Dan-influenced “Storybook,” while Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood” is reimagined over a supple, D’Angelo-inspired groove. The hopeful “Things Are Looking Up” and the nature-minded closing track “Birdsong” give the album a sense of forward motion.   James’ path to this point began on the road. After turning professional at 19, he spent years as a sideman, first touring with Morris Day before working with The Isley Brothers, Teena Marie, Randy Crawford, Ray Parker Jr., Sheena Easton and Bobby Caldwell. Between gigs, he made demos and developed a musical identity of his own, eventually stepping forward with his 1992 debut, Trust. The decades since have brought constant touring and an expansive run of collaborations, with James recording alongside artists including George Benson, Al Jarreau, George Duke, Faith Evans, Bilal, Lalah Hathaway, Raheem DeVaughn and October London. Those relationships reflect the breadth of his sound, as well as the deep foundation in R&B that has shaped his approach from the beginning.   That long road has produced a level of longevity few artists reach. James’ catalog now spans 20 studio albums and has generated more than two billion on-demand streams in the United States, along with four million U.S. album equivalents. His honors include four GRAMMY nominations, three NAACP Image Award nominations, four RIAA Gold-certified records and a Soul Train Award. In 2024, he became the first artist to score 20 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart. Recent vocal collaborations have also extended his reach at Adult R&B radio, where he has earned two Top 10 hits.   James is currently performing across the country. Upcoming appearances include the Hollywood Bowl and Sony Hall, followed by dates at The Fillmore New Orleans, House of Blues Houston and Yoshi’s. Full routing is below.

Tour Dates: 8/7 – Louisville, KY – Louisville Jazz Festival 8/8 – Cincinnati, OH – Ludlow Garage 8/9 – Cleveland Heights, OH – Cain Park, Evans Amphitheater 8/30 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl 9/11–9/18 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – The Smooth Jazz Cruise 9/20 – Pensacola, FL – Pensacola Community Maritime Park 10/4 – Temecula, CA – Thornton Winery 10/16 – Rehoboth Beach, DE – Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival 10/17 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage 10/18 – Red Bank, NJ – Vogel Theatre at the Count Basie Center 10/23 – Newport Beach, CA – Hyatt Regency Resort 10/24 – Napa, CA – Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions at Meritage Resort 10/25 – Lancaster, CA – Lancaster Performing Arts Center 10/29 – Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere 10/30 – Lansdowne, PA – Lansdowne Theater 10/31 – Boston, MA – City Winery Boston 11/1 – New York, NY – Sony Hall 11/3 – Pittsburgh, PA – City Winery Pittsburgh 11/4 – Pittsburgh, PA – City Winery Pittsburgh 11/6 – Carmel, IN – The Palladium 11/7 – Fort Wayne, IN – The Clyde Theatre 11/8 – Chesterfield, MO – The Factory 11/12 – Hampton, VA – Hampton Roads Convention Center 11/14 – Charlotte, NC – Knight Theater 11/19 – Columbus, OH – Southern Theatre 11/20 – Detroit, MI – Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel 11/21 – Chicago, IL – City Winery Chicago 11/22 – Chicago, IL – City Winery Chicago 11/24 – Minneapolis, MN – Dakota 12/4 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore New Orleans 12/6 – Houston, TX – House of Blues 12/11 – Seattle, WA – Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley 12/12 – Seattle, WA – Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley 12/13 – Seattle, WA – Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley 12/29 – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s 12/30 – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s 12/31 – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s   BONEY JAMES ONLINE Official Website: https://boneyjames.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boneyjames01/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boneyjames YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheRealBoneyJames Twitter: https://x.com/boneyjames

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# Artist and Track Title Time 1. Boney James - I Belong To You [Feat. Ledisi] 03:59