Four-Time Grammy Nominee + Multi-Platinum Saxophone Icon Boney James Recruits Legendary Guitarist Larry Carlton For New Song + Music Video “Storybook” 

Co-Headlines Hollywood Bowl’s Smooth Summer Jazz with The Commodores this Sunday, August 30; Sheila E. Opens

August 28, 2026 // Four-time GRAMMY nominee and multi-platinum saxophonist, composer and producer Boney James today shares “Storybook,” featuring legendary guitarist Larry Carlton. The second single from his forthcoming milestone 20th studio album, A Simple Man (out October 2 via Concord Records) arrives alongside an official music video, directed by James’s wife Lily Mariye.

The Steely Dan-influenced track lands just days before James takes the stage at the Hollywood Bowl, where he will co-headline the venue’s annual Smooth Summer Jazz celebration with The Commodores this Sunday, August 30, with Sheila E. opening the evening.

“Storybook” brings together two indisputable instrumental voices, pairing James’ warm, expressive tenor with Carlton’s singular guitar playing. 

James says: “I’m so proud to feature the legendary Larry Carlton on this song. 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.’”

LISTEN TO / WATCH “STORYBOOK” FEAT. LARRY CARLTON HERE

PRE-ORDER / PRE-SAVE A SIMPLE MAN HERE

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. Billboardnamed 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” and 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 will bring that expansive musical history to the Hollywood Bowl this Sunday, August 30, co-headlining the venue’s annual Smooth Summer Jazz celebration alongside The Commodores, with legendary multi-instrumentalist Sheila E. opening the evening. The Hollywood Bowl appearance leads 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.