The UB Interview: Boney James Talks New Album ‘Detour’ | Stream ‘Detour’

Jazz/R&B sax player Boney James has released his 18th studio album, “Detour” via Concord Records.

Featuring the breezy current hit single “Coastin” with 5-time Grammy winner Lalah Hathaway
on vocals, the new 10-song collection is a subtle stylistic turn that builds on the commercial success of 2020’s “Solid,” his highest charting release ever on the pop charts, peaking in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200.

Other standouts on “Detour” include the track “Bring It Back”, which released mid-summer and features critically acclaimed composer, conductor, orchestrator, arranger, and trumpeter, Dontae Winslow; and the album’s title track “Detour,” a winding, playful duet between sax and piano that features some of Boney’s most adventurous playing to date.

“Detour” was recorded largely at Boney’s L.A. home studio (live drums and percussion were tracked at venerable Sunset Sound). The album was produced by Boney with co-production from in-demand writer/producer, Jairus “J-Mo” Mozee among others. Additional musicians on the album are keyboardist Tim Carmon, longtime drummer Omari Williams and bassist Alex Al, renowned percussionist Lenny Castro and guitarists Big Mike Hart and Paul Jackson Jr.

Boney James will continue on the road for select dates across the U.S. which will take him well into 2023.

During his 30-year career, Boney James has released a staggering 18 studio albums – including a pair of Christmas records -with 1995’s Seduction, 1997’s “Sweet Thing” and 1999’s “Body Language” all certified gold. In 2015, Boney’s “futuresoul” spent 11 weeks atop the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart and was the best-selling Contemporary Jazz Record of 2015. Boney has earned four Grammy nominations, two NAACP Image Award nominations and a Soul Train Award, while a dozen of his albums have landed at #1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Album chart.

His collaborators in the past include a Who’s Who of R&B and soul: Raheem DeVaughn, Faith Evans, George Benson, George Duke, Dwele, Al Jarreau, Philip Bailey, Anthony Hamilton, Jaheim, Eric Benét, Dave Hollister, Stokley Williams, Kenny Lattimore and Angie Stone.

“Detour” will be released on vinyl on January 13th, 2023. This will mark the first time in Boney James’ career that he will release an album on vinyl.

In celebration of “Detour,” Aries from UB spoke to Boney James about his 18th album and how his collaboration with legendary Lalah Hathaway came about.

Boney also gets candid on lessons he’s learned in the music business and tells us what we can expect from a Boney James show and more!

Upcoming Tour Dates;
Fri, OCT 14 – Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival – Lewes, DE
Thu, OCT 27 – Florida Theatre – Jacksonville, FL
Sun, NOV 6 – Cancun Jazz Fest – Cancún, Mexico
Fri, NOV 11 – Jazz Legacy Foundation Fest – Hampton, VA
Thu, NOV 17 – Birchmere – Alexandria, VA
Fri, NOV 18 – Rams Head Early Show – Annapolis, MD
Fri, NOV 18 – Rams Head Late Show – Annapolis, MD
Sun, JAN 15, 2023 – Punta Cana Jazz Festival – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Mon, JAN 23, 2023 – Smooth Jazz Cruise 2023 – Miami Gardens, FL
Mon, JAN 30, 2023 – Smooth Jazz Cruise 2023 – Miami Gardens, FL
Sat, FEB 18, 2023 – The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts – Carmel, IN