DEAN JAMES BIO Within the realms of contemporary & Smooth Jazz, one of the most versatile saxophonists of the genre has to come to mind?  Dean James.  Having released 2 CD's under his former label Brajo/Ichiban records, His third CD under his own label Silhouette Records, and James is set to release his fourth CD entitled "Love Takes Time."  With performances on both alto & soprano saxophones, Dean captures a unique blend of Smooth Jazz, R&B and Popular music while maintaining his own creative style and sound. Born & raised in San Francisco, James picked up the alto sax at the age of 15.  Inspired by such traditional jazz greats as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and contemporary artists such as the late Grover Washington Jr. and David Sanborn, James became particularly motivated to master the horn and pursue his musical career. Furthering his musical education, James attended the Berklee College of Music where he studied Jazz and Classical Music.  James returned to the Bay Area where he became a sideman in the Gospel circuit, performing behind such artists as Daniebelle Hall, Daryl Coley, and Rickey Grundy to name a few.  After moving to Los Angeles in 1985, James became a popular session player in the competitive studio world and also became a sideman for R&B artists such as Vesta, Cherelle, Norman Connors, Jean Carne, Gary Taylor as well as working with Smooth Jazz artists Peter White, Gerald Albright, Marian Meadows, Kim Waters, Bobby Lyle, Joe Sample, Najee, and Bob Baldwin, . After the release of "Can We Talk" in 1995 and "Intimacy" in 1997, Dean became a regular on the Los Angeles Club circuit, performing at the Baked Potato and La Ve' Lee among others.  His festival resume includes the Glenn Ellen Newport Beach Jazz Festival, KSBR Jazz Festival, Koombs Ranch Jazz Festival, San Diego Jazz Festival, San Antonio Jazz Festival, the Springfield Jazz Festival in Charlotte , NC , UCLA Jazz Festival, Taste of L.A. & the Rising Star concerts in San Diego.  TV appearances include the Stephanie Miller Show, BET's Jazz Central, Good Morning Atlanta, Talk of the Town ( Nashville ), The 2000 Stellar Music Awards with Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and Lee Williams & the Gospel QC's, and the Japanese syndicated program hosted by Keiko and Kazu Matsui featured with smooth jazz guitarist Peter White.  Other discography by James includes the L.A. Jazz Syndicate volumes 1 & 2, Strictly Jazz 6th Anniversary Compellation CD, various Bob Baldwin recordings as well as various Gospel recordings. "Love Takes Time" is James' upcoming fourth solo release.  It stretches James' talents to a new level with more original compositions blending energetic R&B tempos highlighted with mid-tempo arrangements pushing rich atmospheric moods and mellow ballads to soothe the soul.