SAX手Boney James永远都是被人津津乐道的对象,他的形象,他的音乐都会给人以花花大少的感觉,成熟而性感的乐风更是倾倒无数以“小资”自居的年轻人。他的大碟盛销不衰，风格偏于布鲁斯和流行爵士，并且他能够保证现场演出多姿多彩。
他的原名是James Oppenheim，在纽约州的New Rochelle长大。8岁的时候学习了单簧管，2年后改吹萨克斯管。15岁时他的家庭迁到洛杉矶，James很快在一个混合乐队中演奏。该乐队强到可以为Flora Purim和the Yellow jackets开场演奏。在伯克利大学读了一年之后，他转学到加利福尼亚大学洛杉矶分校来继续他在乐队的演奏。他在取得历史学学位后却在毕业以后成为一个全职乐手，兼演奏键盘。他在1985年继续演奏键盘，并使与他合作的Morris Day相信他应该改演奏萨克斯管。
A solid saxophonist whose style falls on the R&B-ish and pop side of jazz, Boney James (who is heavily influenced by Grover Washington, Jr.) is a consistent best-seller who can always be relied upon to put on a colorful live show. Born James Oppenheim, he grew up in New Rochelle, NY. The future Boney James studied clarinet when he was eight, switching to saxophone two years later. When he was 15, his family moved to Los Angeles. James was soon playing in a fusion band (Line One) which was strong enough to open for Flora Purim and the Yellowjackets. After a year attending U.C. Berkeley, he transferred to U.C.L.A. so he could continue playing with the band. He earned a degree in history but became a full-time musician after graduation, doubling on keyboards. James went on the road as a keyboardist with Morris Day in 1985 and eventually convinced Day that he should be playing saxophone instead. He spent four years with Day and became in-demand for guest spots on tenor, alto, soprano, and flute, playing with Randy Crawford, Sheena Easton, the Isley Brothers, Bobby Caldwell, and others. He picked up his nickname while on tour with Crawford. After mentioning to a keyboardist that he was running out of food money, the musician replied that if he ate any less, he would have to be called Boney James. The popular saxophonist made his debut as a leader with Spindletop in 1992 (Trust) and then in 1994 was signed by Warner Bros., where he recorded dates including Backbone, Seduction, Boneys Funky Christmas, Sweet Thing, Shake It Up, Ride and Pure. In 2006, Boney made the move to Concord Records and released Shine.