Mikael Jorgensen on Bob James

Reflecting with Bob James 

Spend some time with Mikael Jorgensen and Bob James and marinate in their creative exploration and collaboration on a new documentary on the many facets of Bob James’ musical life.

Bob James is a classically trained jazz pianist who continues to tour and is nominated for a Grammy for the 10th time this year. He’s played piano since he was 4 having his first paid gig at 8, and was drawn to jazz as a teen. While attending the University of Michigan he formed a jazz trio and entered the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz festival as a lark looking to shock attendees with their avant guard work. The judges, Quincy Jones and Henry Mancini, surprised Bob by awarding his band first place and Quincy gave Bob a recording contract. Bob is known throughout the classical and jazz world but many known him as the composer of the theme song for the tv show “Taxi” and more know Bob’s work from hip hop as he is the most sampled jazz artist, and the second most sampled artist of any genre (James Brown is #1). At 85, Bob continues to tour, record and compose.

Mikael Jorgensen who you know as a member of Wilco for 23 years, began his musical journey when his father was Bob James’ recording engineer. That exposure gave Mikael access to music production, keyboards, computers and time in the studio to work on his own music. A couple of years ago Mikael reconnected with Bob and that meeting was the genesis of Mikael directing a documentary about the many facets of Bob’s life and those he’s been influenced by, as well as those he has collaborated with and influenced.

Come spend some time with Mikael and Bob and see a small slice of this film and hear them connect on music, creativity and collaboration.