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Bob James: Jazz Hands

By Dan McClenaghan
February 8, 2024
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Let us groove into a H.G. Wells mode and ride a time machine back to 1979 and revisit One On One (Tappan Zee), pianist Bob James' collaboration with guitarist

Earl Klugh

guitar, acoustic
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Earl Klugh. The disc won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. It was a polished production, full of catchy rhythms and bright, memorable melodies—music that was as widely engaging as it could be. Now turn that time machine's dial to fast forward and revisit 1990's Grand Piano Canyon (Warner Records) and hear more of the same. Bob James had—and has—a vision, formed via his association with, in 1962,

Quincy Jones

arranger
1933 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Quincy Jones and then, in the 1970s, with

Creed Taylor

producer
1929 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Creed Taylor and Taylor's CTI Records—Quincy Jones and Creed Taylor, a couple of guys knew something about producing cool, beautiful sounds. James took that "cool, beautiful sounds" thing (categories be damned) and ran with it. Riding the time machine ahead to 2024, we find the veteran music maker in his early '80s, creating at the highest level of inspiration. His Jazz Hands says he is better than ever.

This is the most eclectic album I've ever done," James says. "There's not really one specific genre, and there were a lot of different musicians involved..."

That said, the core of his group here is James on keys, along with Micheal Palessolo on drums and James Adkins on drums. Then, on selected numbers, throw in saxophonists

Dave Koz

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Koz, Andrey Chmut and

Tom Braxton

saxophone
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Braxton, then throw in Ricky Peterson on organ and synths, Will Patrick, David Marchione and Dwight Sills on guitar...and more. This type of musical chairs type of approach can, for all but the most experienced of top-notch artists, spell disaster, with the creation of a work of art lacking cohesion and a sustained mood. Fortunately, Bob James is the toppest of the top-notch, boasting about sixty years of experience. Jazz Hands is a triumph. Credit as strong an artistic vision as you would be likely to find.

The meticulously crafted sounds go down easy, from the opening with the percolating "Mambalicious," to the soft cinematic soundscape of a closer, "Sea Goddess," that serves as an achingly beautiful, save-the-best-for-last symphonic smooth-jazz jewel.

In between James experiments with funk, disco grooves and R & B (CeeLo Green's vocals on the title tune), hip hop and baroque-style classical harmony. "Beerbohm" is a lilting and playful nod to James' friend Quincy Jones.

Music, for Bob James, must serve as a fountain of youth, as he, in his '80s, creates an adventurous and engaging album that stands tall with his best.

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Track Listing

Mambalicious; The Otherside; Jazz Hands; Come Into My Dream; Beerbohm; The Alchemist; Mophead; That Bop; The Secret Drawer; Sea Goddess.

Personnel

Bob James

piano

Michael Palezzolo

drums

James Adkins

drums

Lenny Castro

percussion

Ricky Peterson

organ, Hammond B3

Additional Instrumentation

Bob James: acoustic piano and all keys; CeeLo Green: vocals (3); Dave Koz: saxophone; Andrey Chmut: saxophone; Tom Braxton: saxophone; Will Patrick: guitar; David Marchione: guitar; Dwight Sills: guitar; Nathan Philips: bass; John Mahan: drums; Jay Williams: drums; Ramon Ysles: percussion

Album information

Title: Jazz Hands | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Evosounds

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Bob James Concerts

Oct 2 Thu

Bob James

New Orleans Jazz Market
New Orleans, LA

Oct 3 Fri

Bob James

New Orleans Jazz Market
New Orleans, LA

Oct 21 Tue

Bob James Presents Jazz Hands

Ronnie Scott's
London, UK

Oct 22 Wed

Bob James Presents Jazz Hands

Ronnie Scott's
London, UK

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