About Boney James

Saxophonist, Producer and Composer Boney James’ New Album Slow Burn

slow burn: noun, informal — A feeling that grows with a slow but deliberate intensity.

For saxophonist and composer Boney James, these words perfectly describe the music he has crafted for his new Concord Records album, Slow Burn, to be released on October 18, 2024. “When I mentioned that phrase to people as a possible title, they said, ‘That also refers to your whole career in a way,’” James says with a laugh. “This is my 19th record and I feel like I’m just hitting my stride.”

Slow Burn is a new high point in a remarkable career that now spans more than three decades and includes a long list of accolades: four GRAMMY nominations, three NAACP Image Award nominations, a Soul Train Award for Best Jazz Album, and four RIAA Gold Record certifications. In 2009, Billboard named James one of the Top 3 Contemporary Jazz Artists of the decade. In 2024, Boney became the first-ever artist to score 20 number-one singles on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart.

But Boney James has never been one to look backwards, and Slow Burn—which he produced—marks several firsts. Beginning with the opening track “Arcadia,” the first notes on the album come from the acoustic bass of the legendary Marcus Miller. It’s one of the few times Miller—known for his electric bass work—has recorded standup bass, and the first time James has incorporated upright bass into his music.

Next is James’ intriguing interpretation of the classic “Butterfly.” Co-written by master keyboardist Herbie Hancock and Bennie Maupin, the track features Marcus Miller once again along with young lion Cory Henry on electric piano. “This beautiful melody got stuck in my head,” explains James. “I’ve never covered a tune by a legend like Herbie before, and I hope we did him justice.”

The title track “Slow Burn” is one of four tunes James co-wrote and co-produced with multi-instrumentalist Jairus Mozee (known for his work with Anderson .Paak, Anthony Hamilton, and Nicki Minaj). Another prominent guest artist—rising R&B vocalist October London, best known for his 2023 hit The Rebirth Of Marvin—appears on the album’s first single “All I Want Is You.” Says James, “It’s one of the most exciting vocal collaborations I’ve ever recorded.”

The funky “Slide” features Boney on tenor saxophone and keyboards backed by all the members of his crack touring band. “This song has a little Minneapolis feel,” says James. “I got my start as a professional musician touring with Morris Day, but this is the first time I’ve copped this groove.”

The Slow Burn continues with “A Little Romance,” which James calls “a very heartfelt performance from the saxophone; it’s romantic, hence the name.” Both “Gonna Have a Good Time” and “The Bounce” keep the mood upbeat. “When I listen to it, I start doing this little bounce,” James says of the latter. “It just puts a big smile on my face.”

The penultimate track on Slow Burn is “Between the Lines,” followed by a grooving take on saxophonist Stanley Turrentine’s “Sugar,” featuring longtime friend and collaborator Rick Braun on trumpet. “I’ve always loved this song. It was a really fun and special way to pay homage to Stanley Turrentine, who was a definite influence on me,” says James.

Slow Burn follows two of the most successful albums of James’ career: 2020’s Solid and 2022’s Detour, both of which debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard Pop Albums Chart.

James is thrilled that his music continues to reach new audiences more than 30 years after he released his debut album Trust in 1992. “It’s always been my goal to be one of those guys that would just keep doing it at a high level,” he says, “and to have that connection with the audience.”

That connection has defined Boney James from the start. Growing up in New Rochelle, New York, James played clarinet in his school band until his teacher needed a sax player. “As soon as I switched, playing it became my favorite thing to do.” By his early teens he was already gigging with bands and turned pro at 19. After years paying his dues with artists like The Isley Brothers, Teena Marie, and many more, Boney recorded his first album on an independent label—leading directly to a major-label deal, a string of increasingly successful releases, and nonstop touring.

Now residing in Los Angeles with his wife, director Lily Mariye, James reflects: “I wake up each day and try to play a little better. To quote the cellist Pablo Casals, ‘I think I’m making progress.’ I am really proud of my playing on this new record. And I absolutely love the songs and the sound I achieved.”

Some might say it has a slow burn: a deliberate intensity.