Bob James

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jazz, smooth jazz, funk, fusion, jazz piano… see all

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-D.M.C. 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”, Beastie Boys’ “Hold It Now, Hit It”, and by Timbaland, in Missy Elliott’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. Nautilus has been covered by current touring acts as diverse as Greyboy Allstars and Sound Tribe Sector 9.

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Top Tracks

1	Nautilus	596
2	Westchester Lady	316
3	Take me to the Mardi Gras	208
4	Feel Like Making Love	139
5	Jamaica Farewell	111
6	Storm King	86
7	Lotus Leaves	76
8	You're as Right as Rain	70
9	In the Garden	69
10	Soulero	68
11	Valley of the Shadows	61
12	Night on Bald Mountain	60
13	Storm Warning	53
14	Angela (Theme From Taxi)	51
15	Women of Ireland	50

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phrborges wrote:
last month

Bob James is responsible for one of the most beautiful piano solos I've ever heard. Try listening to it on "New York Samba" from the Album "Cool". You won't regret it!

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HIBRIDGE1 wrote:
July 2008

To me BJ is the James Brown of Jazz. The tracks are sampled more than any other artist. Jeff Lorber is the same. Those guys are hip hop pioneers. HiBridge1

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drsfp wrote:
June 2008

Amazing how music doomed to end up in elevators influence the Hip-Hop genre so much...

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SanPdro wrote:
April 2008

One is full of some really good breaks.

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zmin wrote:
March 2008

Westchester Lady, Adam F nuff said

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wutangmaster wrote:
February 2008

Absolutely brilliant.

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saraonfire wrote:
January 2008

Wow I thought his shoutbox would actually have more shouts than this Bob James has been around for a pretty good time I love his work Take Me To Mardi Gras has been sampled plenty by numerous Hip-Hop artist I remember hearing Angela on the show Taxi good days & great music.

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ckypissdrunk wrote:
July 2007

If you are any sort of rap fan, you need to hear Nautilus

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Shadowracer wrote:
February 2007

amazing

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DreamTrax wrote:
September 2006

Amazing!! Great tunes, great musicianship, and funky!!! Now Click Here for something really, really, really funky tool !!!

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jazzkeys wrote:
August 2006

Bob James is SUPER!!!

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vgmadrigal tagged Bob James with ‘jazz’ and ‘smooth jazz’. August 2008
C-Pix tagged Bob James with ‘fusion’, ‘smooth jazz’, ‘funk’ and ‘jazz’. August 2008
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