Dueling Pianos: Bob James

Dueling Pianos
Bob James takes his studio to the stage




Editor’s Note: Two-time Grammy award winner Bob James has been featured twice in previous issues of the Express. For a detailed account of his musical career as an international renowned jazz pianist and member of the smooth jazz group Fourplay, along with his popularity among hip hop and rap communities, check out the story by Rick Coates from 5/27/2004 in our archives. Anne Stanton interviewed James about his visual art work and that story appeared in the 6/30/2006 issue. Express archives may be viewed at northernexpress.com.



It was 50 years ago when Bob James took the stage for his first gig as a professional musician. Since then, he has built an international career as a jazz pianist and composer taking an Avant-garde approach to his music. Just a few months shy of turning 69, James refuses to rest solely on his past successes or play it safe. Instead, he strives to challenge himself and his fans as he continues to push musical boundaries.
This Saturday he will take the stage at the Milliken Auditorium (at the Dennos Museum on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College) for a concert to benefit Michael’s Place (a nonprofit community-based organization dedicated to creating awareness of and support for grieving children and their families. Michael’s Place provides a safe atmosphere where healing can take place following the death of a family member or an important friend).
Typically when Bob James has a gig like this he would call up the other members of his trio. They would rehearse and then perform the concert. Or, as he has done in the past, he would call on some of his jazz superstar friends like Earl Klugh or Alexander Zonjic to join him.
Not this time. Instead James is turning back to the old 18th century musical playbook. In those days most were not afforded the opportunity to see full orchestras perform. Instead some would hire a composer to rearrange the music of a 100 piece orchestra to two pianos. Those wealthy enough would have two pianos in their homes while others who had just one would have two pianists perform at the same piano. Those types of house concerts were popular in their day.
This Saturday, James will be the only performer.
“I have never done anything like this before. This is a big departure from my typical public performances. I seldom play publicly by myself,” said James. “I am going to have two pianos on stage and I am creating a virtual orchestra. Now, with modern technology, I am able to pre-record the one piano and play from the other live.”

Modern Technology
So where did James get the idea?
“Well I have people over at my home studio all the time and I am showing them this new technology,” said James. “So, I started thinking, ‘I perform this way in my studio. I wonder what it would be like to take to the stage?’ Essentially, this is a public version of my home studio.”
Even with 50 years of stage experience, James is a little nervous about his performance.
“Anytime you are dealing with computers you are a little nervous. They have a tendency to crash at inopportune times,” said James. “I am comforted in the fact that if the computer on the Yamaha crashes the Steinway is on stage and the show will go on.”
But James is focusing past any potential computer glitches and concentrating on the possibilities.
“I love doing this type of thing, challenging myself and challenging the technology,” said James. “I have performed a lot with partners at the piano, now I am my own partner.”
James is taking on the charity concert in the middle of one of the busiest times of his career. His smooth jazz band, the super-group Fourplay, just released their latest CD “Energy” last week and the band will embark on a worldwide tour during the fall and winter to support what critics are already hailing as a “musical masterpiece.” James came up with the CD title.
“I always feel a special energy coming from all four corners of this group,” said James. “This combination of passion and intensity is what keeps me coming back for more. The energy is multiplied by a factor of four.”

HOLIDAY RELEASE
In November, James will release a family Christmas CD.
“This has been in the works for a long time. This is a real family labor of love project and Koch, my record label on other projects, has agreed to release it,” said James. “It features my daughter Hilary and her husband Kevin DiSimone, both accomplished vocalists and composers. We are very excited about this.”

A LOOK BACK
James took a deep breath when he was asked to contemplate his 50 years of performing.
“I still love performing and creating and challenging myself. I don’t enjoy the travel as much and am grateful that I am not out there 300 days a year as some of my colleagues,” said James. “I guess when I look back over my career there have been some great times. It would be hard to pick the best of times but those days at the University of Michigan as a student were pretty special. Those were the days that were not driven by economics, as a college student you didn’t have those worries. You were freer and that Avant-garde approach was easier.”
So over the years has the “economics” of the music business posed a challenge for James?
“It does for all musicians. I struggle with it. I ponder the questions. Like who is in the driver seat, the audience or the performer? As a performer are you trying to anticipate what they (audience) want? There is a trap there if you are not careful,” said James. “I take this approach and trust my creative instincts, because I believe if you try to create outside of that for economic reasons and it flops you have done it all for the wrong reasons. I am a believer in the dignity of music as a profession and with that comes being true to one’s own creative approach. The moment you step outside of that the audience will know.”

Bob James: Look Both Ways, From Bach & Beethoven to bop & blues, features James with special guests: Yamaha, Steinway, Korg and MacBook Pro.
The October 4 solo performance at the Milliken Auditorium will benefit Michael’s Place. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Museum Box office at 231-995-1553 or on line at dennosmuseum.org. For additional information about Michael’s Place visit Michaels-place.net and for a sampling of Bob James music check out bobjames.com. View On Our Website