He had a hand in making smooth music a 'thing’. Eventually, hip hop artists were so influenced by his eclectic grooves they started to sample some of his keyboard licks including DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince with Bob’s 'Westchester Lady’ on their '88 tune 'Here We Go Again’. Funny enough Jazzy Jeff returns 35 years later on 'That Bop’ - a hypnotic beat filled with synths and loops.

In fact, hip hop was one of the influences on the album as he hunkered down in his home studio during the pandemic. Collaborating with his favourite musicians over the internet and by computer led to an eclectic album in a good way he says with a lot of “different approaches” to writing and recording and to which he claims is his best work yet. So good it's nominated for 'Best Contemporary Instrumental Album’ of the year at the Grammys February 4. His 50th solo album also features Dave Koz on 'Come Into My Dream’ - a lush, romantic and calming track that highlights Bob’s amazing talent. He just turned 84 on Christmas Day and was recently quoted as saying “My life is music and as long as I'm able to play it, I’ll keep feeling young”.

Gary James
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