Get on Board With Boney James

Learn more about contemporary jazz nominee Boney James.

The Beginning - Boney James began playing the clarinet at eight years old, but later switched to the saxophone at 10. (Photo: Robert E. Klein /Landov)

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The Beginning - Boney James began playing the clarinet at eight years old, but later switched to the saxophone at 10. (Photo: Robert E. Klein /Landov)

Influences - James counts Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire and Grover Washington Jr. as his influences. (Photo: Andrew Lepley/Redferns)

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Influences - James counts Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire and Grover Washington Jr. as his influences. (Photo: Andrew Lepley/Redferns)

Music Is Music - Seen here with Peter White, Boney James admits that he doesn't like to classify his music as jazz, specifically. (Photo: Andrew Lepley/Redferns)

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Music Is Music - Seen here with Peter White, Boney James admits that he doesn't like to classify his music as jazz, specifically. (Photo: Andrew Lepley/Redferns)

Goin' Solo - Before becoming a solo artist in 1992, Boney James toured with Morris Day, Teena Marie and the Isley Brothers.  (Photo: Andrew Lepley/Redferns)

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Goin' Solo - Before becoming a solo artist in 1992, Boney James toured with Morris Day, Teena Marie and the Isley Brothers.  (Photo: Andrew Lepley/Redferns)

Know Your History - Boney James received a history degree from UCLA. (Photo: Eddie Malluk/WireImage)

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Know Your History - Boney James received a history degree from UCLA. (Photo: Eddie Malluk/WireImage)

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Solid Gold - James has four certified gold albums. (Photo: Andrew Lepley/Redferns)

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Solid Gold - James has four certified gold albums. (Photo: Andrew Lepley/Redferns)

What's in a Name - James got the nickname Boney from his early days on the road and barely being able to eat. (Photo: Robert E. Klein /Landov)

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What's in a Name - James got the nickname Boney from his early days on the road and barely being able to eat. (Photo: Robert E. Klein /Landov)

Collaborations - Boney James just doesn't rest on his skill as an instrumentalist, he constantly collaborates with R&B singers such as Johnny Gill, Mario, Faith Evans, Dave Hollister and others. (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

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Collaborations - Boney James just doesn't rest on his skill as an instrumentalist, he constantly collaborates with R&B singers such as Johnny Gill, Mario, Faith Evans, Dave Hollister and others. (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

Top Of HIs Game - Although he doesn't like to classify himself, James is at the top of the urban jazz genre and with the release of his latest CD, shows no signs of slowing down. (Photo: Amy Graves/WireImage)

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Top Of HIs Game - Although he doesn't like to classify himself, James is at the top of the urban jazz genre and with the release of his latest CD, shows no signs of slowing down. (Photo: Amy Graves/WireImage)

Nominee - Not only is Boney James a performer for this year's Soul Train Awards but he's also a nominee in the Contemporary Jazz category. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Nominee - Not only is Boney James a performer for this year's Soul Train Awards but he's also a nominee in the Contemporary Jazz category. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)