Boney James is celebrating a major milestone with a little help from R&B royalty Ledisi.
The four-time GRAMMY® nominee and acclaimed saxophonist has announced his 20th studio album, A Simple Man, arriving October 2 via Concord Records. Along with the news comes “I Belong To You,” a soulful new collaboration featuring Ledisi, accompanied by an intimate official music video.
The pairing feels right at home in the R&B space. Boney James has spent decades blending jazz musicianship with the warmth, groove and emotion of contemporary R&B, and Ledisi brings the kind of powerhouse vocals and unmistakable soul that makes the collaboration especially compelling.
That connection to R&B runs deep. Before launching his solo career, James spent his early days on the road with Morris Day and The Isley Brothers, gaining firsthand experience alongside some of the genre’s most influential performers. In 1992, he stepped out on his own with his debut album, Trust, beginning a solo journey that would eventually make him one of contemporary jazz’s most recognizable voices.
A Simple Man finds James embracing a more personal and stripped-back approach while continuing to bridge jazz and R&B. The album also features acclaimed trumpeter Marquis Hill and legendary guitarist Larry Carlton.
Twenty albums into a career that began with his 1992 debut Trust, James has built an impressive legacy that includes four GRAMMY® nominations, a Soul Train Award and 20 No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Smooth Jazz chart. His music has also surpassed two billion U.S. on-demand streams.
But for R&B listeners, “I Belong To You” is the moment to press play. Ledisi’s commanding vocals paired with James’ unmistakable expressive saxophone creates a smooth collaboration that bridges a soulful meeting of two worlds that have always been closely connected.
With A Simple Man, Boney James proves that after 20 albums, the groove is still strong—and the R&B is still very much alive.
Listen to “I Belong To You” featuring Ledisi and watch the official video now.
