NEW YORK (www.sacksco.com/ Warner Bros. Records) - Boney James, one of the most successful artists in the worlds of Instrumental Pop, Contemporary Jazz and Urban Adult Contemporary music, today earned his second consecutive Grammy nomination for "Best Pop Instrumental Album."
This year's Grammy nod, for Boney's new album "Pure," caps a year that has seen him continue his reign at the top of Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Albums chart (with the likes of fellow Grammy nominees
Norah Jones & Jamie Cullum) and announced his arrival into the Top 10 of Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart when "Pure" earned "Hot Shot Debut" status as the highest debuting R&B/Hip-Hop album with its No 9 bow.
Following four consecutive GOLD albums, "Pure" marked Boney's debut as a producer and, more than any of his previous releases, revealed him to be an artist capable of challenging conventions, and creating music that is both innovative and inviting. In an album hailed by Jazziz as his "best and most personal work yet," Boney's sax remained the centerpiece; but by co-writing every song, handling a variety of instruments (sax, keyboards, drum programming, key bass, etc.), and choosing innovative voices to realize his vision (Bilal, Dwele and newcomer Debi Nova), James was able to experiment and stretch out musically in the studio in the same freewheeling manner for which his singular live shows have become renowned.
Says Boney: "The great joy of 'Pure' was in allowing myself to explore any idea that came into my head. The album reflects more of my true musical sensibility than anything I've ever done. To receive a Grammy nomination for what is such a personal statement is truly an honor."
An additional testament to Boney's arrival as a producer/performer can be found in another of the albums nominated for a "Best Pop Instrumental Album" Grammy, the Luther Vandross tribute album "Forever, For Always, For Luther," which includes two new tracks co-produced, and featuring performances, by James: "Wait For Love" and "My Sensitivity (Gets In The Way)."
Boney will bring the year to a close when he joins fellow Grammy nominees Kanye West, Usher, Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton and Brian McKnight on stage as part of GRAMMY JAM celebrating the music of Earth, Wind & Fire. This "who's who" of Grammy nominees and the founding members of Earth, Wind & Fire will perform to raise funds to support the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Arts Education Initiative. The event takes place on December 11th at Los Angeles' historic Wiltern Theatre.
Boney's previous "Best Pop Instrumental Album" Grammy nomination was for the album "Ride." Boney is already the winner of a Soul Train Award, a NAACP Image Award nominee, and winner of several Smooth Jazz Awards, including "Best Saxophonist" and "Male Artist Of The Year."
