BONEY JAMES TO RETURN TO THE ROAD FOR FIRST TIME AFTER RECOVERY
FROM MAY 15 CAR ACCIDENT

Just six weeks after being hit by a drunk driver in a fiery freeway crash, saxophonist-songwriter BONEY JAMES will return to the concert stage for a string of U.S. dates starting July 3 in Northern California. BONEY--one of today’s most respected and best-selling instrumental artists and performers—was driving home from a show in Los Angeles May 15 when he was stuck in freeway traffic and his car was rear-ended at 70 MPH, causing a jaw fracture, broken teeth and 14 stitches in his chin.

“I’m really excited to get back to playing shows,” says the three million-selling and three-time Grammy nominee, whose “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight (introducing Quinn)”—from his current album SEND ONE YOUR LOVE (Concord)--received a “Best Traditional Vocal R&B” Grammy nomination last year. “I broke my 2 front teeth in the accident and couldn’t blow for 6 weeks. I still have a brace on them and might still lose the teeth, but I’m able to play and need to get back onstage! I do feel very lucky to be alive, and being able to play my horn again is the best thing in the world.”

BONEY has released 12 albums since his 1992 debut but has made a name for himself playing in front of fans. A Boston Globe live review said, “…his music is muscular and gritty, whereas most smooth jazz has all the texture and complexity of a cue ball.... James swaggered across the stage like a blacktop hero draining treys on an overmatched opponent. He even weaved his way through the audience, never missing a beat and all but daring the crowd not to have a good time.”

After the accident, Boney recuperated at home in Los Angeles (with the help of his wife, actress Lily Mariye, who was on “ER” for 15 years) .