Bob James (2nd right) after checking in at the Labadi Beach Hotel. With him are (from left) David Eduaful, House Manager at the hotel; Kojo Akoi Larbi of Stanbic Ghana and Michael Rathgeb, General Manager of the hotel.

Bob James ready to thrill at AICC

The Mirror Showbiz News Jun - 25 - 2016 , 15:39 2 minutes read

Famous American jazz pianist, Bob James, breezed into town last Wednesday, June 22, with his band to headline the third Stanbic Ghana Jazz Festival scheduled for tonight, June 24 to Sunday, June 26 at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

Jazz fans have been looking forward to the maestro’s arrival ever since it was announced that he would play at this year’s Stanbic festival.

In a brief chat with the keyboard giant when he checked in to his hotel in Accra, he said he was highly impressed with the reception he had received from Ghanaians and called on his fans to be at the concert.

“We have a plethora of songs from the early days to the latest live recordings. I look forward to seeing them all. Thank you to all the fans for being available to see us play. We will all have a great time,” Bob James said.

A two-time Grammy Award-winner, Bob James is a keyboardist, arranger and producer. He is recognised as one of the original founders of smooth jazz and is renowned for the complexity of his arrangements and instrumentals.

Well-known artistes that have sampled his work include Run DMC, Paul Simon, LL Cool J, New Edition and Missy Elliott.

Popular works under Bob James’ name include Feel Like Making Love, Nautilus, Angela, Take Me To The Mardigras, and Westchester Lady.

He has also collaborated with musicians like Earl Klugh, Kirk Whalum and David Sanborn and is a member of the formidable Fourplay jazz quartet.

Other artistes on the bill are Tom Braxton; Steve Bedi, Akablay, Ayisa-Dey Quintet, Kyekyeku, Stephanie Benson, Constant Boty, Adomaa, Owura Kay, Knii Lante, Les Femmes and Blue Rhythms.

An exciting addition to this year’s Stanbic event is that Safori’s paintings on jazz will be on show in the foyer of the AICC throughout the festival period.

His canvases are inhabited by solo instrumentalists and singers as well as duos, trios, quartets, quintets, sextets and big bands.

His musicians are both men and women in a variety of postures, all caught up in the ecstasy of making music.

Sponsors of the three-day jazz event include Graphic Communications Group Limited, Vodafone Business Solutions, Labadi Beach Hotel, Joy FM and Citi FM.