Bob James

Bob James comes to Blue Note Los Angeles for a multi-night engagement celebrating one of the most influential and enduring careers in contemporary jazz. A pianist, composer, arranger, and producer whose work has captivated audiences around the world, James has spent decades moving through jazz, smooth jazz, classical influence, studio production, television composition, and collaborations that helped define entire eras of sound. Discovered by Quincy Jones at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1963, James went on to record his debut solo album Bold Conceptions and build a catalog that now includes dozens of albums and major industry recognition.

His career includes landmark recordings such as One, the Grammy-winning One On One collaboration with Earl Klugh, and Double Vision with David Sanborn. He is also known for composing “Angela,” the instrumental theme from Taxi, and for helping set the standard for smooth jazz in the late 1970s. Beyond jazz, James’ influence reaches deeply into hip-hop, with tracks including “Nautilus” and “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” becoming some of the most sampled pieces in the genre’s history. This Blue Note LA engagement offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience a living architect of modern jazz and crossover music in an intimate setting, where sophistication, groove, and musical legacy meet with effortless elegance.