“BOB JAMES LIVE FROM THE QUEEN MARY JAZZ FESTIVAL” RELEASED ON DVD

I.E.W. Video, a leading home video label and producer of jazz, performing arts, and pop music programs, announced the July 2006 DVD release of Bob James: Live, from his legendary performance at the Queen Mary Jazz Festival. Since the 1960’s jazz pianist Bob James has made an impact in the musical world, playing, arranging, and composing for some of the biggest and brightest stars in the history of music.In this live recording from the Queen Mary Jazz Festival, Bob James is captured at his best with an all-star ensemble. A six time achiever of the #1 position on the Billboard Jazz Chart, Bob James still dazzles his audiences with the same kind of excitement that Quincy Jones first noted when he spotted James playing at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1962.

Bob James’ recording career was launched with a series of well received jazz trio albums, followed by a four-year stint as musical director for The Divine One, herself --- Sarah Vaughan. James went on to compose, arrange, and play with Freddie Hubbard, Johnny Hammond, Stanley Turrentine, Grover Washington, Jr., and Maynard Ferguson, while ultimately launching a successful solo career in the early 1970’s. In 1977 James founded Tappan Zee Records, where he not only recorded and released his own projects, but launched the careers of Mongo Santamaria, and Joanne Brackeen, among others, leading to a collaboration between James and Earl Klugh that culminated in a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Having mastered a variety of musical styles Bob James went on to release (3) classical albums; to write the theme music for the TV hit program "Taxi"; to win a second Grammy award in 1986 for "Best Jazz Fusion or Instrumental" with Double Vision (his duet with David Sanborn); and to become a founding member of the critically acclaimed smooth jazz group Fourplay.

In this live concert Bob James plays songs written or made hits by him. The band provides a kaleidoscope of tonal sound from the hard groovin’ Zebra Man to the electronic colors of Westchester Lady, to the soothing sounds of his instantly recognizable hit --- the theme from "Taxi". Featuring Kirk Whalum on saxophones, Alexander Zonjic on Flute, David Brown on Guitar, Gary King on Bass, Leonard "Doc" Gibbs on Percussion, and Yogi Horton on Drums this program provides an insightful look at the making of a musical legend and captures the freshness, versatility and excitement that is the music of Bob James. The DVD retails for $19.98.