Smooth jazz ‘godfather’ and fusion legend Bob James, aka Robert McElhiney James, is due back to the UK for a two-night residency at Ronnie Scott’s club in London, for four shows playing songs from his latest solo album, “Jazz Hands” – one of the 19 Grammy nominations of his long career.
The American jazz keyboardist, arranger, and record producer founded the jazz supergroup Fourplay, and he wrote “Angela” in 1978, the beautiful theme song for the hit US TV show “Taxi”.
Bob has had his music sampled so much, it is believed to have contributed to the formation of hip hop. Among his most well known recordings are “Nautilus”, “Westchester Lady”, “Tappan Zee”, and his version of “Take Me to the Mardi Gras”.
Bob’s latest release is an album this year [2025] with saxophone star Dave Koz, and at 85-years-old Bob still tours the world in demand for live concerts, and is a prolific composer for TV, film and for his own albums.
Originally from Marshall, Missouri, after being discovered by Quincy Jones at the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival in 1962, Bob James made his mark at producer Creed Taylor’s CTI label in the 1970s, when he was the architect of an innovative new sound that fused jazz with classical music and funk.
Bob’s music found a broader audience in 1978 after his track “Angela” was used as the theme to the popular U.S. TV sitcom, “Taxi.”
He also ran his own record label, Tappan Zee Records for many years, has released albums dedicated to classical music, and co-founded the popular and hugely successful smooth jazz supergroup Fourplay.
Now signed to international record label, evosound, [Evolution Music Group], Bob’s 2023 album, “Jazz Hands” – which fuses cool jazz, funky grooves, bluesy ballads, and cinematic moods – was nominated for ‘Best Contemporary Instrumental Album’ at the 2024 Grammy awards.
From his 19 Grammy nominations he has had two wins: ‘Best Pop Instrumental Performance’, with Earl Klugh, for “One on One” in 1979- and for ‘Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal or Instrumental’, with David Sanborn, and “Double Vision” in 1986.
- Bob James presents “Jazz Hands”, at Ronnie Scott’s, London – two shows on each date: [5.30pm & 8.30pm] on Tuesday 21st & Wednesday 22nd October 2025 . He will be joined by Andrii Chmut (sax), James Adkins (drums), and Michael Palazzolo (acoustic bass), his new quartet delivering “a fresh, vibrant take on his timeless sound.”
Bob James: “Track Record”
1. First song you recall hearing as a child?
“Goofus”. I was asked to play piano for tap dance class at nine-years-old [1948], and I remember this so clearly because I was fired for not being able to keep the beat! [“Goofus” is a 1930 song written by Wayne King and William Harold, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. Later covered by The Carpenters].
2. First single you owned?
“At The Michigras” – A song Jack O’Brien and I wrote for a party at University of Michigan.
3. First LP/album you owned?
In my parents’ collection we had Stan Kenton’s “Cuban Fire”. I remember thinking it was such an unusual sound.
4. First CD you owned?
“Utrenja” by Penderecki. [“Utrenja: The Entombment Of Christ”, the 1971 classical composition in several parts by Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki].
5. Last music you bought and in what format (CD/vinyl/digital download)?
“Jazz Hands” by Bob James. I bought the CD in store and they gave me a discount!
6. Which album would you be happy to receive as a gift?
“Bach: The Six Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord” by Glenn Gould and Jaime Laredo.
7. Favourite album? (Choose more than one if need be…)
“Tenderly” by Oscar Peterson.
8. Best record ever made (can be single/album/EP – and choose more than one if need be)?
I must decline to choose. It’s impossible.
9. Guilty secret (or anything unusual or perhaps unexpected) in your music collection?
“The White Cliffs of Dover” compilation album [1990 3 x LP/Cassette album of easy-listening wartime songs by various artists including Glenn Miller & His Orchestra, Bing Crosby Jimmy Dorsey, and Vera Lynn]. I love to play this at parties because no one ever likes it!
10. What does music mean to you and how does it make you feel?
Well, I wish I could play you a song to express how it makes me feel instead of having to tell you. That should be your answer right there.
11. Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
“Downtown” by Petula Clark.
12. Which song or album would be the soundtrack to a film about your life?
“This Theme Needs a Movie” by Bob James and Sam Franz.
13. Your favourite driving track – or music to exercise to?
“Choose Me” from my “Urban Flamingo” album.
14. Best song or album for a romantic moment?
“Utrenja” by Penderecki. Just kidding! “Someone to Watch Over Me”. [Written by George and Ira Gershwin for their 1926 Broadway show, “Oh, Kay!”, with many covers including the 1965 recording by Barbra Streisand.
15. Which song was played for the “First Dance” at your wedding (if you are married) or which song would you choose if you did get married?
Gulp… Don’t remember! I’m not even sure we had a band at our wedding. If I were to choose now, it would be, “Our Love is Here to Stay”. [Popular jazz standard composed by George Gershwin with words by Ira Gershwin; from the 1938 movie “The Goldwyn Follies”].
16. Your choice of song to sing at karaoke?
“I Left My Heart in San Francisco”. [The signature song of Tony Bennett, recorded by him in 1962, and written in 1953 – music by George Cory and lyrics by Douglass Cross].
17. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific memory/memories?
“Solfeggietto” by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. I played it at a recital at seven-years-old, and introduced it as “Solfeggio”. The embarrassment was very memorable!
18. Favourite band (or bands)?
The Count Basie Orchestra.
19. Favourite singer (or singers)?
Sarah Vaughan.
20. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
Yikes! Whatever my daughter and granddaughter would like…
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