The James Quintet - Stella (take 02)

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/).

Track 9 of 10.

The James Quintet was no more than 18 months ahead of its time — two years, tops — but that short gap was enough to doom this little known band from ever being recognized as one of the first Nu-Jazz/Acid Jazz acts out of the US. The New York City based group formed in early 1991 as a bi-weekly jazz jam band playing in small clubs in and around the metro area. They eventually landed an eight month long running gig playing every two weeks at the 55Bar in Greenwich Village. The original band lineup consisted of Bob Sharkey on guitar/electronics, Peter Dragotta on trumpet/electronics, Chris Dragotta on alto sax, Steve Decker on electric/acoustic bass and Claude Coleman Jr. on drums. The band had alternate and substitute members that included drummers Jason Wildman, Charles Ruggiero, and bassist Steve Watson. To many who first heard them, they sounded weird and alien. Yet, they were able to build a small following.

The band and some of their fans did manage to tape a few of their live performances. The band also recorded two studio sessions. All these tapes have recently been rediscovered and are being re-mastered and released to the public for the first time.

https://archive.org/details/jamendo-048475