Boney James

The 32nd annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest will come to a close with a performance by James, who has enjoyed a long history with the fest.

One of the shapers of the contemporary urban jazz sound, saxophonist Boney James has been delighting audiences with his mix of contemporary jazz, R&B and soul for 30 years.

Born James Oppenheim in Lowell, Maine, and raised in New Rochelle, N.Y., James moved with his family to Los Angeles at 14, and soon began touring and recording with the Isley Brothers, Bobby Caldwell, Randy Crawford, Teena Marie and others.

In 1992 he released his debut album as a leader, “Trust,” the first of 18. In 2000, he collaborated with trumpeter Rick Braun on the album “Shake It Up,” and they have appeared on each other’s albums and toured together internationally. James has received four Grammy nominations, for Best Pop Instrumental Album in 2001, 2004 and 2014, and for Best Traditional R&B Performance in 2009. He also received a Soul Train Award and two nominations for the NAACP Image Award for Best Jazz Album. He released his newest album, “Detour,” in 2022.