Marshall natives Bob James and Mike Henderson took to the stage together for a final performance at the Bob James Jazz Festival Saturday night, May 18, in a historic moment that brought the two artists together on stage for the first time ever.
Browsing Category News
Marshall H.S. Senior receives 1st Bob James Music Scholarship
Marshall Cultural Council announced Friday, May 10, that Marshall High School senior and accomplished clarinetist Kirby Brayman is the recipient of the first Bob James Music Scholarship, according to a news release from the organization.
Marshall native Bob James made a donation to MCC after the 2012 Bob James Jazz Festival to enable to the organization to establish the scholarship fund, which is intended to provide support to a Marshall student who has shown a devotion to music.
Bob James leads intimate Master Class at the recent Bob James Jazz Festival
In his first appearance at the 2013 jazz festival of his namesake, Marshall native Bob James offered a lecture to a group of approximately 20 people Saturday morning, May 18, at the Eckilson-Mabee Theater of Missouri Valley College.
James arrived at MVC at around 9 a.m. sporting a Hawaiian shirt, jeans, a black sports coat and his signature sunglasses. His outfit, much like his music, are a testimony to James’ air of easy-going cheerfulness that he transmitted to the attendees Saturday morning as he talked about his career.
Bob James & David Sanborn to Perform with the Legendary Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Justin Tedaldi Examines ‘Quartette Humaine,’ with Bob James & his 50 years in music: Part 2 of 2
We’ve been talking about jazz this whole time, but to the younger generation you’re mostly known as someone whose work has been sampled in countless hip-hop songs.
[Pauses] Is that a question? [Laughs]
On first glance, you’re probably the last person in the world that would be associated with hip-hop, as indelible as the melodies and the compositions that you’ve come up with are. Do you have any idea how it all started? I’m guessing it was from “Nautilus,” but when did you first realize that something was going on there?
I wish I knew. I was flabbergasted, and I think I was probably a little bit slow in even finding out about that crazy phenomenon that happened. The first one that I discovered came about as a result of a friend calling me to ask me if I was aware of [DJ] Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, and they had a recording [“Here We Go Again”] in which they had sampled my recording of “Westchester Lady.” This came before, whether or not historically it came before the sampling of “Nautilus,” I don’t know, but this was the first one that I became aware of. And it reached the public spotlight because their record [“Parents Just Don’t Understand”] won the [Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance].
Justin Tedaldi Examines ‘Quartette Humaine,’ with Bob James & his 50 years in music: Part 1 of 2
Jazz legends Bob James and David Sanborn pay tribute to the iconic Dave Brubeck Quartet on their new album Quartette Humaine, their first collaboration since their 1986 platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning Double Vision disc. An all-acoustic project featuring bassist James Genus and drummer Steve Gadd, the album (released May 21) is the heart of an ambitious national tour featuring the four musicians with a launch planned at New York’s Town Hall June 6.
This year also marks the fiftieth anniversary of James’ discovery by Quincy Jones at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival and the recording of his first album as a leader, Bold Conceptions. Since that time, James has released 58 albums, with highlights including the international smash “Angela (Theme from Taxi)” and his long-running association with the jazz supergroup Fourplay.
Bob James & David Sanborn: Tour Kick Off!
Bob James & David Sanborn kick off the tour for their new album, Quartette Humaine, at The Town Hall in New York City on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 8 pm.
Tickets are selling quickly, so get yours now!
PURCHASE TICKETS
‘Esprit De Four’: 40% Off Sale Until June 3, 2013
Fourplay’s Esprit de Four is currently on sale as part of the Barnes & Noble 40% off Jazz sale!
PURCHASE HERE
Marshall is Music: Jazz Legend returns home for 3rd annual jazz fest
Marshall-born jazz musician Bob James has been busy since he last came to town a year ago for the second annual Jazz Festival that bears his name.
“It’s been a lot of touring,” James said, explaining most of the touring he has done is with his jazz group Fourplay. “These days, in our business, live performances have become more and more important. We don’t sell as many CDs as we use to, people get their music in all kinds of different ways … It’s always exciting for me to play in front of a live audience and I’m happy about that.”
One of James’ most recent projects is an album with saxophonist David Sanborn, who grew up in St. Louis. James and Sanborn collaborated in the 1980s with a record called “Double Vision,” which James said was very successful.
“But we never followed up on it,” James said. “Finally, late last year, we decided that it was time for us to get back in studio to try and do something new.”
That record, titled “Quartette Humaine,” will offer listeners a smooth look back at the simpler music of early jazz, but with original music composed in part by James.
“We chose the very simple jazz instrumentation of his (Sanborn’s) alto sax, piano, acoustic bass and drums,” James said of the CD, which will be released May 21.
James, however, said when he comes to perform in Marshall on May 18, he will be going with the flow of his hosts.
“It won’t be my performance as such,” James said. “I’m bringing a few of my classic arrangements that I will be doing with the local musicians.”
James said he will be excited to return to his hometown after a busy year in which he has toured the United States and went to countries as far as Japan.
It was in Japan where, earlier this year, James was honored at the Jazz Japan Festival for his help in the relief efforts that helped the country cope with the tsunami of 2011.
“I learned about the tsunami of March 2011, but I also learned during that time that many artists who were booked to go to Japan to perform were cancelling out because of fear,” James said. “For whatever reason, I didn’t feel that same fear and I sent the word out that I wanted to go there and offer my support. I had the opportunity in September of that year to go to a small jazz festival that was just starting out, maybe even similar to the one in Marshall. As it turns out, I was the only American that went over there.”
James said ever since, the Japanese people have given him an immense amount of support for his music.
“Japanese people really, really appreciate when a foreigner cares a lot about their people and their culture,” James said. “They have given back to me in support far more than I was able to give to them.”
He said through touring the country and the world, he has realized music has the effect of bringing people together.
“I’m still amazed at the power that music can have,” James said. “Our instrumental music has a way of communicating that is in some ways more powerful than words because it’s just emotion. It’s not attempting to put feelings into words. It’s just expressing something that comes from maybe a different place in your mind. I feel so fortunate to have learned my craft in a way that has given me an opportunity to go to all these different places in the world, and hopefully bring inspiration to people through this abstract music.”
In Marshall, James is bringing more than his music. Recently, James began supporting a music scholarship that will be awarded each year to a music student in Marshall.
He said it was important to ensure those who are interested in music realize there are people who are behind them and support them in their dreams.
“Of course the most important thing is the legacy that we leave behind, the encouraging of young people to pursue an education, to get better with their music,” James said. “It’s the only way that our music will continue to survive. If we don’t do our part to encourage that, we are not doing our job.”
James also had words of encouragement, and caution, for those who wish to work in the music business.
“There are no shortcuts, really,” James said. “The harder you work the better you are going to be. But also, just enjoy that process at whatever level, even if you are playing in front of just your family, or if you are just performing in front of 10 people, give it your best and learn from that, how you fit into this world of music.”
He said people shouldn’t think of going into music for fame or money.
“There are only certain people that are destined to have larger fame, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be making meaningful contributions to music even at that smaller level,” James said.
James said he is looking forward this weekend to catch up with old friends, including guest musician Mike Henderson.
“A lot of my memories from then have dimmed,” James said. “One of the things I look forward to when I go back to Marshall is refreshing that memory by meeting people that I knew back in those days.”
James said he intended to be at Marshall’s jazz festival for many years to come.
“I wish this festival’s continued success,” James said. “I hope I will still be coming down for it’s 10th anniversary and it’s 15th anniversary and on and on for as long as possible.”
Related stories:
Marshall is music: Homecoming: ’The Blues Professor’ to be featured at Bob James Jazz Festival
www.marshallnews.com/story/1965486.html
Marshall is music: Bob James to lead second annual jazz festival in Marshall
www.marshallnews.com/story/1847742.html
Bob James Jazz Festival: Jazz makes a comeback in Marshall
www.marshallnews.com/story/1731170.html
Online:
www.bobjamesjazzfest.org
www.facebook.com/BobJamesJazzFestival
Bob James Jazz Festival
Come experience the 2013 Bob James Jazz Festival in Marshall, MO!
FESTIVAL INFORMATION
TICKETS
This year’s headliners will be the D.J. Sweeney Quartet, one of the top jazz acts in the Kansas City region. Enjoy a special set with Bob James collaborating with the quartet on stag!.
Schedule
5 p.m. — Gates Open and Food Served (BBQ Sandwiches served by Kiwanis Club)
6:30 p.m. — Clinic All-Stars
7:15 p.m. — Liberty Jazz Band
8 p.m. — Intermission with Presentations
8:30 p.m. — D.J. Sweeney Quartet
9:15 p.m. — Bob James set with D.J. Sweeney Quartet
10 p.m. — Meet & Greet Autograph Session
10:30 p.m. — Events End