Gordon James

Composer, flugelhornist and trumpeter Gordon James is a seasoned performer and bandleader. James has a unique style of music projecting a special appeal to the listener, blending the worlds of Jazz, Hip Hip, World Beat, R&B and Pop music.
Mr. James has performed and studied since the age of ten with such artists as Mel Broiles first trumpet of the Metropolitan opera orchestra, Ted Curson a Charles Mingus Alumni, sazophonist Eric Kloss, Johnny Guiter Watson, Blue Aquarius from the Stax Record label, cellist David Darling and saxophonist Paul Winter. James considers his music to be "smooth and lyrical; the arrangements are hip and polished and the trumpet and flugelhorn are perfect for conveying the passion of my compositions".
His debut CD "Candlelight Love" received attention both here and in England. It features James with world renowned guitarist Vic Juris and purcussionist Manolo Badrena from the great Weather Report group of the 70's.
James has been performing in the tri-state area for several years now opening for contemporary jazz artists like Pieces Of A Dream, Angela Bofill, Roy Ayres, Bobby Caldwell and Alex Bungon. His music is fresh and he is definitely ready break out just in time for the 21st Century.
Trumpeter Gordon James' latest release is packed with soulful tune that will soothe your ears, warm your heart and move your feet. This NJ based artist has successfully combined the cool contemporary grooves of NYC jazz with the sophisticated funk and hip hop of Philadelphia to product a CD that covers a variety of moods and styles.
Featuring a host of accomplished side men & women, some of Jame's able bodied associates includes keyboardists James LLoyd from Philly based group Pieces of a Dream and Mark Minchello who acts as music director for Regina Bell and most recently Phil Perry, Will Downing and Gerald Albright. Also bassist Gregory Jones from Jon Lucien's group, keyboardist Adam Klipple who works with Alfonzo Blackwell and drummer Lionel Cordew who has worked and recorded with such notables as Special EFX, Nelson Rangel, Fantasy Band, Bill Evans and Gato Babieri.
This album has something for everyone including funky re-eveluations of some classic tunes from the past and the present like trumpeter Hugh Masekelas' Grazing in the Grass, a hip hop version of TuTu originally recorded by Miles Davis and the more recent On & On by Erykah Badu and Only You from R&B group Level 112.

Influenced by Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Herb Alpert and even Chuck Mangione Gordon James has developed and maintains his own genuine character as a master of the muted trumpet. Playing flugelhorn in skilled brilliance he manifests his talent as a multiinstrumental artist.

Released in 1999 his second self-titled release Gordon James offers a bunch of various styles which give his album his unique and seductive appeal. Gordon James combines Soul, Acid Jazz, Hip Hop, Latin, Pop and Smooth Jazz without accentuating the contrasts but the commoness of these styles.

The opening Funky G. featuring Pieces of a dream - member James Lloyd on piano, organ, clavinet & synths, Eric Lackland on Synth bass and Karl Latham on drums is a fusionesque starter, funky and smooth together. A taste of film noir, the piece is impressed by Lloyd's and Gordon's furious instrumental solos.

Shades of Brown damps the speed in a sultry smooth way. Gordon James, whose respect for his guest James Lloyd is obvious, consesses him a wide space for his piano-solo. Funky and jazzy Lloyd even quotes classical themes.

In On & On, a cover of the Eryka Badu hit, Gordon James demonstrates his skillfullness at the muted trumpet supported by the lovely voice of the beautiful Alisa Ohri keeping us in a good temper.

Back to the past of 1969, Gordon James breaths new life into the old Rock'n Roll title Grazing in the Grass of Friends of Distinction.

More sophisticated is the third cover piece TuTu, originally recorded by Miles Davis, Gordon James' dedication to the grandmaster of trumpet. Eric Lackland providing an array of instrumentation on his arrangement sets the mood background for Gordon James muted trumpet.

Mark Minchello introduces into Earth tones with heavy indian tablas-sounds, a very atmospheric piece with a creamy cap of New Age.

Pulse elongates the contemplative balladesque temper of the album showing up anew the brilliance of James' muted trumpet.

Brazilian Nights breaks up the temper with Bossa Nova rhythms.

Language of the heart guides back to a smooth embrace of James' muted trumpet and Kelli Sae's silky vocal.

Slinky sets a funky break with a masterly solo of Mark Minchello on keyboard dominated by James ' muted trumpet.

Only you a romantic piece prepares for the final When can I see you again with the remarkable soft voice of James Robinson. This cover of Babyface's '93er album For the Cool in You is undoubtly a very smooth fall of the curtain for this tasteful album. Gordon James musical achievements deserve be crowned with success like Rick Braun's and Chris Botti's works.

HBH

More info:

http://www.contemporaryjazz.com/fredsjazz/index.html

http://www.jazzreview.com/