Jun 17, 2013
It may be hard to believe, but despite the fact that Bob James and David Sanborn have one of the best-selling jazz albums of the last thirty years in Double Vision, they have never toured together. That album spent more than a year on the Billboard charts, and won them each a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance.
When they hit the stag at The Town Hall in New York City they kicked off a world-wide tour together, leading a quartet that includes drummer Steve Gadd and bassist James Genus. Along the way, they will appear at a number of top jazz festivals, including the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival later this month. Watch this space for more preview podcasts on that great weekend of music.
Those who are expecting their new CD, Quartette Humaine to be a sound-alike to the platinum Double Vision will be surprised at the sterling acoustic sound of this group. Both Sanborn and James are quick to point out that they are in different musical places at this stage of their stellar careers, and that the new CD is a more accurate picture of the kind of “honest music” they want to make now. The CD is in some ways a tribute to the sound of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, with shifting, highly melodic compositions and deft performances.
I caught up with both of them recently, and you can listen to our conversation in Podcast 351, which featuring musical selections from the duo, including:
Bob James and David Sanborn – “Sofia” from Quartette Humaine. One of the top ballads on the CD is this composition written by Sanborn for his wife.
Bob James and David Sanborn – “My Old Flame” from Quartette Humaine. One of the few covers on the new CD, Bob James said they chose it since it had always been one of his favorite tunes, and that he had always heard Sanborn’s horn playing the lead in his head. Now, we all can share it.
Bob James and David Sanborn – “Follow Me” from Quartette Humaine My favorite tune from the CD is this Brubeckian number written by James. Check out their lengthy conversation about this tune in the podcast, including Sanborn’s comments on how difficult the tune turned out to be to play.
Bob James and David Sanborn – “You Don’t Know Me” from Double Vision. Fans of this classic electric album need not despair – the duo plans on playing a number of songs from the record in concert, but in acoustic settings. Here’s hoping this is one of them.