Bob James

At 86 years old, two-time Grammy winner Bob James has enjoyed a tremendously varied career. To some, he is a hip hop icon because samples of his music played a pivotal role in the foundation of rap. To others, he is the godfather of smooth jazz.

Since the early 1970s, when he famously ignited his career with producer Creed Taylor’s CTI label, James has forged a reputation as a remarkable musical alchemist. His music erases the boundaries between disparate genres—such as jazz, soul, funk, classical, and, most recently, hip hop—and transforms them into a unique musical style. His 2025 release Just Us, a duo album with saxophonist Dave Koz, earned James his latest Grammy nomination.