16 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS By Ken Capobianco WHEN ESTEEMED KEYBOARDISTSONGWRITER-PRODUCER Bob James received his rst major job opportunity in jazz accompanying Sarah Vaughan on piano, Neil Armstrong had not yet set foot on the moon, and a gallon of gas cost 35 cents. Time ies, as they say. Six decades later, James’ lovely, melodic music has made an indelible mark on the world of pop, and he’s one of jazz’s most in uential artists. James is also one of the few whose popularity straddles the cross-generational divide. Baby boomers and millennials fell in love with his multiplatinum hit “Angela” from the 1980s television show “Taxi,” and Generations X and Z recognize his music from the countless times his songs such as “Sign of the Times” and “Nautilus,” among others, have been sampled for foundational rap hits. anks to more than 50 studio albums, hundreds of collaborations with jazz and pop royalty, and his work with the seminal jazz quartet Fourplay, the songs of Bob James have been ubiquitous. BOB JAMES EVER THE STUDENT AND OVERACHIEVER IS MAKING SOME OF THE BEST MUSIC OF HIS LIFE PHOTO: KIRA ABELARDO HOLLIMON
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