The Hall of Fame Award (formerly Citation of Merit) was established to recognize and honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society, their profession, the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance, one of its departments or programs, or to the School of Music, Theatre & Dance Alumni Society. This award has been presented annually since 1977.

Bob James is a two-time GRAMMY award-winning smooth jazz keyboardist, arranger and producer. James is recognized as one of the progenitors of smooth jazz, however, his music has also had a profound effect on the history of hip hop music, having been sampled often. Two of James’ songs – “Nautilus” from 1974’s Oneand “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” from 1975’s Two  – are among the most sampled in hip hop history. He was discovered by Quincy Jones at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1963, and subsequently recorded his first solo album, Bold Conceptions, that year for Mercury Records.

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Grammy Award winning Jazz Legend Bob James returns to the Milliken Auditorium with the Bob James Quartet.  Featuring James on piano, Clarence Penn on drums, Perry Hughes on guitar and Nate Phillips on bass.

Bob James was discovered at the 1963 Notre Dame Jazz Festival by legendary producer Quincy Jones.  That same year he recorded his first solo album “Bold Conceptions” for Mercury Records. From there he went on to make his  mark as the musical director for Sarah Vaughn.  Bob also worked on many successful albums for CTI Records.

In 1977 James started his is own label, Tappan Zee Records, which gave him the opportunity to spend more time in the studio working on his own recordings.  During that time he recorded the gold award winning album “Touch Down,” which included his composition “Angela” from the TV show Taxi.

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Check out Chuck Loeb’s new online Jazz Guitar School!

By now most know about Bob James’ deep connection and involvement in efforts to rebuild Japan after the 2011 tsunami.

Bob’s role in this effort has continued, as the movement has continued to grow in support.  Now “Music for Tomorrow” benefits concerts are being featured from shows held in Strasbourg, New York, and New Orleans to further the cause.

The documentary will air in Japan on NHK General TV, and is being screened on May 3rd at Rias Hall in Ofunato-city.

Screening

Don’t miss the release of “Music for Tomorrow” and your opportunity to lend support!

Chameleon, the scintillating Concord Records debut from multi-GRAMMY® nominated Harvey Mason, finds him drawing upon the rich jazz-funk legacy of the 1970s and recasting seven of that era’s most enduring classics with an early 21st-century sheen. A legendary session drummer, producer, composer and recording artist, Mason is among the most recorded and in-demand musicians of all-time.

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Spring Tour Schedule

April 25, 2014

Tangier

Akron, OH

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April 27, 2014

Seabreeze Jazz Festival

Panama City, FL

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April 28, 2014

King Center of the Performing Arts

Melbourne, FL

A cover of a Van Morrison original, this song appears in Nathan East’s first solo album after a 30-year career as a sought after bassist whose work is heard in many of the music industry’s biggest records through the years. Listen to other tracks in his album and purchase if you love this.

Harvey Mason, the GRAMMY-nominated drummer of Fourplay, was one of the cornerstones of Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters ensemble. Chameleon also features some of the brightest young jazz talents on the scene today, including several NEXT Collective alumni: trumpeter Christian Scott, bassist Ben Williams, pianist/keyboardist Kris Bowers, and guitarist Matthew Stevens.

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