Album Notes

James is also an actor who has 40 stage plays, 20 TV shows, and a dozen commercials to his credit. Ask Him who his favorite singers are and he'll ask you how much time you have. Starting with Joe Williams, Sammy Davis, Jr., Oscar Brown,Jr., Lou Rawls, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Shirley Bassey, Diane Schuur, and Nancy Wilson the list would very quickly grow to a mile in length.

TENDER AND BLUE, James' debut CD, is a blend of Jazz and Blues reminiscent of Joe Williams and Sammy Davis, Jr., lightly sprinkled with the wit of Oscar Brown, Jr. in, what some would say is, an "old school" recording like those of the 50's and 60's. Instrumentation is limited to the traditional 3-piece Jazz Combo, and a Saxophone is added to a few select songs. This small group affords each musician the necessary "elbow room" to display his exceptional musicianship. Joining James in this first effort are: Eddie Olivieri on Piano, Jack LeCompte on drums, Michael Saucier & Kevin O'Neal on Acoustic Bass, and Michael J. Parlett on Saxophone.
TENDER AND BLUE was recorded at the Harddrive Analog and Digital recording studio in NOHO, California, where it was mixed by Doug Messenger and James Geralden. It was mastered by the famous Bernie Grundman of Hollywood, CA.