During the '80s, in addition to jazz records, he cut three commercially successful classical titles. James has also composed and arranged for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. One of his signature tunes, "Angela," from the chart-topping Touchdown in 1978, is the iconic theme for the hit television show Taxi with a lithe electric piano, simple melody, slightly funky backbeat, and muted bass and brass. (Two songs, "Nautilus" from 1974's One and "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" from 1975's Two, are among the most sampled songs in history.) James has also written extensively for film and television. Those four albums are all considered shining examples of early jazz-funk and have been abundantly sampled by hip-hop DJs and producers. In addition to gold- and platinum-selling albums on his own and in various collaborations, he issued four numerically titled albums for CTI in the mid-'70s that successfully melded jazz, pop, and classical styles with sharp arrangements, accessible melodies, and funky grooves. His music seamlessly melds genres from bop to pop, from classical to R&B via relatively simple, accessible, and elegant melodies with rich harmonies and multiple sonic textures, often anchored by lithe, funky grooves. Along with Grover Washington, Jr., he is known as one of the fathers of smooth and contemporary jazz. Bob James is a prolific, best-selling, Grammy-winning composer, arranger, producer, and pianist.
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