Boney James is a saxophonist who's dominated the Contemporary Jazz Charts since his 1992 debut *Trust*, though his sound is grittier and more muscular than typical jazz fare. His signature blend of soul-jazz, R&B, funk, and pop has become the defining sound of 21st century contemporary jazz, earning him four Grammy nominations, multiple RIAA gold certifications, and millions in sales along the way. Key albums like *Body Language* (1999), *Pure* (2004), and *Futuresoul* (2015) have influenced a whole generation of artists.
Born James Oppenheim in New Rochelle, New York, he started on clarinet at eight before switching to saxophone two years later. When his family relocated to Los Angeles at 15, he quickly became part of the fusion scene, playing keyboard and sax in the band Line One and opening for acts like Flora Purim and the Yellowjackets. After earning a history degree from UCLA, he launched a career as a full-time musician, touring as a keyboardist with Morris Day from 1985 and becoming a sought-after sideman for artists like Randy Crawford, Sheena Easton, and the Isley Brothers before going solo. His 2020 self-produced album *Solid*—featuring 11 original compositions including the single "Be Here" with vocals from Kenny Lattimore—debuted at #10 on the Billboard Current Pop Albums Chart.
