Bob James
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Bob James (born December 25, 1939) is a two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz keyboardist.
Though he has recorded a couple of straight jazz albums, most of his recordings contain “pop-jazz” which is a type of instrumental pop music. Bob James was an important figure in turning 1970s fusion jazz more commercial. For their album One on One, Earl Klugh and Bob James received a Grammy award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance of 1981.
“Angela”, the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James’ most well-known work to date.
With his song “Take me to the Mardi Gras”, Bob James secured his place in hip-hop history when the song was sampled by RUN-DMC in their song “Peter Piper” from the Raising Hell release. “Take Me To The Mardi Gras” has been sampled in numerous hip-hop songs since “Peter Piper”, including Eric B. & Rakim’s “Don’t Sweat The Technique”, The Beastie Boys’ “Hold It Now, Hit It”, and by Timbaland, in Missy Elliot’s “Work It”.
Another song by Bob James that has also been frequently sampled by the hip-hop and electronic music community is “Nautilus”, being sampled by artists such as DJ Premier, Pete Rock, A Tribe Called Quest, DJ Cam and Luke Vibert, and Ghostface Killah. Nautilus has been covered by current touring acts as diverse as Greyboy Allstars and Sound Tribe Sector 9.
Though he has recorded a couple of straight jazz albums, most of his recordings contain “pop-jazz” which is a type of instrumental pop music. Bob James was an important figure in turning 1970s fusion jazz more commercial. For their album One on One, Earl Klugh and Bob James received a Grammy award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance of 1981.
“Angela”, the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James’ most well-known work to date.
With his song “
Take me to the Mardi Gras”, Bob James secured his place in hip-hop history when the song was sampled by RUN-DMC in their song “Peter Piper” from the Raising Hell release. “Take Me To The Mardi Gras” has been sampled in numerous hip-hop songs since “Peter Piper”, including Eric B. & Rakim’s “Don’t Sweat The Technique”, The Beastie Boys’ “Hold It Now, Hit It”, and by Timbaland, in Missy Elliot’s “Work It”. Another song by Bob James that has also been frequently sampled by the hip-hop and electronic music community is “Nautilus”, being sampled by artists such as DJ Premier, Pete Rock, A Tribe Called Quest, DJ Cam and Luke Vibert, and Ghostface Killah. Nautilus has been covered by current touring acts as diverse as Greyboy Allstars and Sound Tribe Sector 9.
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Shoutbox
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boehj wrote:
a pimp!
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Herr_Apathy wrote:
Nautilus!
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Miss-Kei wrote:
He's amazing!?!? :-)
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kaly_ wrote:
Happy Birthday !!!
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Assedor wrote:
Bob is brilliant showman, able to rouse the audience. The identity of the mega-caliber, he undeniably talented keyboardist, his dashing style of play is easily recognizable.
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BarackFlowbama wrote:
Nautilus is one of the best hip-hop songs ever.
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kaalper wrote:
nice.
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lock2stock wrote:
I don't think that labelling Bob as the best jazz musician of all time is correct. There's no need to compare him to Miles or Duke or whoever else. Bob is a great musician in his own niche.
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JaapStobbe wrote:
@ SoulJazzsterInc I did gave Bob props. Please read carefully. But labelling Bob James as the best jazz artist of all time doesn't exactly make one look like much of a jazz fanatic. There's a whole bunch of jazz artists who have had a bigger impact on jazz than Bob james.
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LOVES-DESIRE wrote:
Bob James is one of the very best Jazz Artists of all time ....... Everyone has their own opinion and it is valid ......... Bob James you are one of the Bestest ........
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Nils-erik_mulle wrote:
\o/
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Szczotkowsky wrote:
Jazz Genius,two thumbs up for him.
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SoulJazzsterInc wrote:
"bob james is all right. he has some great songs and some good original samples. But the best jazz artist? No way!" > Why not? Everyone's entitled to its opinion. The typical candidates for "best jazz artist" ever are generally either Miles Davis or John Coltrane, which may be totally legitimate (I love them too) but a bit tiring and predictable at the end of the day, as if everybody think exactly the same. To hear that Bob James might be the best for someone is kinda refreshing. I'm not a specialist of his career but hey, he has done some great things so give him the props he deserves
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rosmaritbrum wrote:
Great smooth....
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smoothjazz2001 wrote:
this is your clear-out tune is so fine, thanks Bob old guy
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Lempea wrote:
you're the best, bob.
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bigbluehound wrote:
BJ3 - Women of Ireland. Saw him play it at the Hammersmith Odeon late 70's early 80's. Amazing And the theme to 'Taxi'!
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PanHuan wrote:
peace
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akira7 wrote:
Few things beat his early albums, but Obsession stands among them. Simply amazing music. The production value on every song is to-this-day superb.
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katakomba555 wrote:
www.jackyjazz.blogspot.com BOB JAMES AND MORE JAZZ RAR FREE
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Osasuri, imizz941l, MyrnajmacTunes and 12 other people added Bob James to their libraries. 6 minutes ago
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SliPsix tagged Bob James with smooth jazz and jazz. Friday morning
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charlespoisall, kennethjsargent, kadiemzet and 60 other people added Bob James to their libraries. Thursday evening
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BertoxKream tagged Bob James with fusion and jazz. last month
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jrzepala, dj_jazzy_cat, GyN070X and 15 other people added Bob James to their libraries. last month
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reimusho wrote about Bob James – Joy Ride in a deleted journal. November 2011
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David_J1973 wrote about Bob James – Joy Ride in a deleted journal. July 2011
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David_J1973 wrote about Bob James – Joy Ride in a deleted journal. July 2011
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David_J1973 wrote about Bob James – Joy Ride in a deleted journal. July 2011
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David_J1973 wrote about Bob James – Joy Ride in a deleted journal. July 2011
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