[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16067]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         A TRIBUTE TO BOB JAMES

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 15, 2007

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
exceptional musician, Mr. Bob James. The career of Bob James is long, 
varied, and continues to evolve at every turn. From his first piano 
recital in Marshall, MO to the formation of his own trio while 
attending the University of Michigan to the gigs in New York City and 
beyond, the music of Bob James has captivated audiences throughout the 
world.
  Bob James recorded his first solo album ``Bold Conceptions'' not long 
after he was discovered by Quincy Jones at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival 
in 1963. Another 25 solo albums would follow within a span of four 
decades. However, that does not include his Grammy Award-winning 
collaboration projects. However, it was not until Bob James met up with 
Creed Taylor in New York that his composing, arranging and recording 
career took off. After working with such CTI Recording artists as Hank 
Crawford and Grover Washington, Jr., James finally recorded his own 
album, ``One.'' This introduced his music to a much larger audience and 
launched a lifelong career of recording and performing live.
  Bob James moved to Warner Brothers Records in 1985, beginning an 
association with another million seller and Grammy Award-winning album 
``Double Vision.'' This album was a collaboration with David Sanborn. 
In 1990, while recording the ``Grand Piano Canyon'' album, Bob James 
reunited with his old friend, drummer Harvey Mason and worked for the 
first time with Lee Ritenour on guitar and Nathan East on bass. The 
recording sessions for this project were the genesis of the group 
``Fourplay.'' Their first album was recorded and released in 1991.
  Bob James experienced a personal and professional career highlight 
when he collaborated with his daughter Hilary on the ``Flesh & Blood'' 
album. The music for the project was jointly written by the two of 
them. They later toured 15 U.S. cities in acoustic vocal and piano duet 
performances.
  Madam Speaker, I cannot say enough about Mr. Bob James. He has been 
considerate in sharing his gifts with the rest of the world. I would 
like to recognize all of his accomplishments and achievements which are 
far too numerous to list today.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
this wonderfully gifted musician.

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