"Bob James has always been synonymous, for me, of the quintessential musician, able to tackle different styles of music and wear different hats. A true Renaissance Keyboardist! As a young teenager growing up in France, I first took notice of Bob's name by figuring out that those cool sounds on Quincy's "Body Heat" and the super cool arrangements and Rhodes part of "Crazy After All These Years" were coming from the same guy. After I moved to Boston to attend Berklee, I discovered the solo album, the collaboration projects with Sanborn, the ubiquitous Taxi theme and then, thrown in for good measure and push the envelope even further, a record of Couperin's music. And if that was not close enough to home for me, he discovered Kirk Whalum for whom we share the deepest respect and affection. Come to think of it, since home for me is now Westchester, do you think he had a part in that too?" - Philippe Saisse

"Bob James never ceases to amaze me. When I first met him he was sitting in front of a piano not looking at all like a pianist, so I didn't expect very much from him. Especially since he was about to accompany one of the greatest singers of our time, Ms. Sarah Vaughn, but when his hands touched that piano his brilliance became clearly evident. His musicianship reflected both his jazz and classical experience. He enhanced her performances beautifully. I later found him to be an incredible arranger who had a flair for pop music mixed with jazz and R&B. His recordings as a stable mate on CTI Records reflected a very listenable modern approach to jazz. As a producer he has created records that started a trend that transcends its time. As a member of the group Fourplay, Bob has once again shown his unlimited ability to adapt to any musical environment.

It is an honour to recognize Bob James as the first recipient of the George
Benson Lifetime Achievement Award." - George Benson