Stafford James: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Paul Chambers
• Richard Davis
• Oscar Pettiford
• Scott LaFaro
• Ron Carter
• McCoy Tyner
• Richard Payne

• Ronnie Mathews
• Rene McLean
• Michael Cuscuna
• Tony Reedus
• Woody Shaw
• Victor Lewis
• Gary Bartz

Born:

Apr 24, 1946 in Evanston, IL

Genres:

Classical Music, Jazz Music, Bop Jazz Music, Free Jazz Music

Decades Active:

1970's|1980's|1990's|2000's

Artistic Quality

Low

Cultural Impact

Low

Popularity

Low

Ratings Guide

A gifted and versatile bassist, Stafford James has played bebop, hard bop, free and RB material since emerging in the late '60s working with Monty Alexander, Albert Ayler and Sun Ra. He's equally capable on acoustic or electric, and has backed both jazz and RB singers. James studied at the Chicago Conservatory and Mannes College in the late '60s and early '70s. Following his stints with Alexander, Ayler and Ra, he played with Melba Moore, Roy Ayers, Garry Bartz, Rashied Ali, Betty Carter, Art Blakey, Al Haig, Barry Harris, Andrew Hill, Andrew Cyrille and Chico Hamiliton at various points during the early and mid'70s. James appeared with Bartz at the Montreux Jazz Festival. He worked with Dexter Gordon and Woody Shaw in the late '70s as well as John Scofield. James reunited with Shaw in the early '80s, then played with Philly Joe Jones and Dameronia, Slide Hampton, Cecil Payne and Jimmy Heath. He also recorded as a leader from the mid'70s through the '80s, heading quartets, quintets, a trio and a string and percussion ensemble. James has recorded for Horo (Italy) and Red, a subsidary of Black Saint/Soul Note. Though he currently has no dates available on CD, he can be heard on reissues by Ayler, Shaw and others. James' sessions on Red and Horo are available by import from mailorder places.

- Ron Wynn, All Music Guide