NEW YORK (Warner Bros.) - Amongst the most respected and best-selling instrumental artists of our time,
Boney James continues to consolidate his longstanding reputation as a major force in both the worlds of Contemporary Jazz and R&B with his latest Warner Bros. Records release, "Pure."
Powered by vocal and instrumental singles simultaneously rocketing to the top of the R&B and the Contemporary Jazz radio charts, "Pure" debuted in the Top Ten of not only Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz chart (No 2 debut), but also of Billboard's Top R&B and Hip Hop Album chart earning "Hot Shot Debut" status as the highest debuting album of the week at No 9.
The debut vocal single "Better With Time," a testament to lasting love featuring the sanctified vocals of Bilal, was recently the No 1 Most Added track at Urban Adult Contemporary radio and this week broke into the Top 15; while at the same time "Here She Comes," the first instrumental single from "Pure," strutted up to No 2 at Smooth Jazz radio. Said WWIN Baltimore Program Manager Tim C. Watts: "Boney is a class act all the way, and 'Better With Time' is a solid hit with my audience."
Dwele, one of the guest vocalists on "Pure" (and one of Entertainment Weekly's ten artists "on the brink") explained Boney's unique success in the disparate worlds of R&B and Contemporary Jazz as follows: "Boney exemplifies the 'soul' of jazz. He seamlessly slides from contemporary to classic styles," adding, "I'm very proud to be one of the artists he chose to blend with his unique artistry."
Called "the best kept secret in today's music scene" by Circuit City buyer Steve Lerner, Boney James has "quietly" released four consecutive GOLD albums (including the Grammy nominated Best Pop Instrumental Album "Ride"), been honored with a Soul Train Award, earned a NAACP Image Award nomination, and taken home numerous National Smooth Jazz Awards including "Best Saxophonist" and "Male Artist of the Year."
"Pure" builds on the success of 2002's "Ride" which, in addition to being nominated for the above mentioned Grammy, featured two of most played songs of the year at Urban AC radio "Something Inside" (featuring Dave Hollister) and the title track "Ride" (featuring Jaheim); and three No 1 Smooth Jazz singles "See What I'm Sayin'?," "RPM" and "Grand Central."
With a live show that Radio & Records called "a must see" and Variety said "raised the roof," Boney James will be playing select concert dates throughout September and October.
Upcoming live highlights will include a benefit performance with Seal and Macy Gray for the Orangewood Children's Foundation (https://www.orangewoodfoundation.org) at the Anaheim Pond (9/18); a headlining performance at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre (10/10) with Brian McKnight supporting; and a pair of shows with opener Van Hunt at Philadelphia's Keswick Theater (10/27) and New York's famed Beacon Theater (10/30).
For additional tour dates visit https://www.boneyjames.com.
