Article Contributed by Shore Fire Media
Published on 2026-08-31
Four-time GRAMMY nominee and multi-platinum saxophonist, composer, and producer Boney James has shared “Storybook,” featuring legendary guitarist Larry Carlton. The track is the second single from James’ forthcoming milestone 20th studio album, A Simple Man, out October 2 via Concord Records.
The Steely Dan-influenced track arrives alongside an official music video directed by James’ wife, Lily Mariye.
“Storybook” brings together two unmistakable instrumental voices, pairing James’ warm, expressive tenor saxophone with Carlton’s singular guitar playing.
“I’m so proud to feature the legendary Larry Carlton on this song,” James says. “His unmistakable sound has been on so many of my favorite records, and I imagined him on ‘Storybook’ as soon as I wrote it. This song suggested a bit of mystery and whimsy to me. Hence the title, ‘Storybook.’”
WATCH “STORYBOOK” FEAT. LARRY CARLTON
Three decades into a career built on deep groove, melodic instinct, and a saxophone voice unmistakably his own, James is still finding new ground. On A Simple Man, his milestone 20th studio album, he delivers one of his most personal records yet, continuing to explore the deep connection between R&B and jazz that has shaped his music throughout his career.
James’ catalog has generated more than two billion on-demand streams in the United States. His honors include four GRAMMY nominations, three NAACP Image Award nominations, four RIAA Gold-certified records, and a Soul Train Award. Billboard named him one of the Top 3 Contemporary Jazz Artists of the 2000s, and in 2024 he became the first artist to score 20 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart. Recent collaborations have also earned him two Top 10 hits at Adult R&B.
For James, A Simple Man reflects a growing desire to strip away distraction and focus on what matters most.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized I don’t need a lot to make me happy,” he says. “I love making music and playing my saxophone.”
That clarity runs throughout the new album. GRAMMY-winning vocalist Ledisi joins James on the warm contemporary R&B duet “I Belong To You,” while acclaimed trumpeter Marquis Hill appears on “Morocco.” James also reimagines Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood” over a D’Angelo-inspired groove.
James’ R&B foundation runs deep. He turned professional at 19 and spent his formative years touring with Morris Day, The Isley Brothers, Teena Marie, and others before stepping forward with his 1992 debut, Trust. More than three decades later, he remains focused not on preserving a legacy, but on continuing to grow. On A Simple Man, James’ playing is warmer, deeper, and stronger than ever and, 20 albums in, he is still making progress.
James recently co-headlined the Hollywood Bowl’s annual Smooth Summer Jazz celebration alongside The Commodores, with Sheila E. opening the evening.
He now heads into an extensive fall run, including upcoming performances at Sony Hall in New York, The Fillmore New Orleans, House of Blues Houston, Jazz Alley in Seattle, and Yoshi’s in Oakland.
James will also appear live on TalkShopLive on Tuesday, September 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET — his birthday — for a special conversation about A Simple Man and the new music.
A SIMPLE MAN TRACKLIST
1. Dreams
2. Morocco feat. Marquis Hill
3. The Midnight Sun
4. I Belong To You feat. Ledisi
5. Things Are Looking Up
6. The Wire
7. Storybook feat. Larry Carlton
8. In A Sentimental Mood
9. A Simple Man
10. Birdsong
2026 TOUR DATES
Sept 11-18 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - The Smooth Jazz Cruise
Sept 20 - Pensacola, FL - Pensacola Community Maritime Park
Oct 4 - Temecula, CA - Thornton Winery
Oct 16 - Rehoboth Beach, DE - Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival
Oct 17 - Annapolis, MD - Rams Head On Stage
Oct 18 - Red Bank, NJ - Vogel Theatre at the Count Basie Center
Oct 23 - Newport Beach, CA - Hyatt Regency Resort
Oct 24 - Napa, CA - Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions at Meritage Resort
Oct 25 - Lancaster, CA - Lancaster Performing Arts Center
Oct 29 - Alexandria, VA - The Birchmere
Oct 30 - Lansdowne, PA - Lansdowne Theater
Oct 31 - Boston, MA - City Winery Boston
Nov 1 - New York, NY - Sony Hall
Nov 3 - Pittsburgh, PA - City Winery Pittsburgh
Nov 4 - Pittsburgh, PA - City Winery Pittsburgh
Nov 6 - Carmel, IN - The Palladium
Nov 7 - Fort Wayne, IN - The Clyde Theatre
Nov 8 - Chesterfield, MO - The Factory
Nov 12 - Hampton, VA - Hampton Roads Convention Center
Nov 14 - Charlotte, NC - Knight Theater
Nov 19 - Columbus, OH - Southern Theatre
Nov 20 - Detroit, MI - Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel
Nov 21 - Chicago, IL - City Winery Chicago
Nov 22 - Chicago, IL - City Winery Chicago
Nov 24 - Minneapolis, MN - Dakota
Dec 4 - New Orleans, LA - The Fillmore New Orleans
Dec 6 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
Dec 11 - Seattle, WA - Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley
Dec 12 - Seattle, WA - Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley
Dec 13 - Seattle, WA - Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley
Dec 29 - Oakland, CA - Yoshi’s
Dec 30 - Oakland, CA - Yoshi’s
Dec 31 - Oakland, CA - Yoshi’s
