From his early years touring with Sarah Vaughan to founding smooth jazz supergroup Fourplay, U-M alumnus Bob James has explored a vast stretch of musical territory. A leading force in 1970s crossover jazz, the keyboardist, composer, and producer played an essential role on a series of hit records and has also had a profound effect on hip-hop, with his songs among the most sampled in hip-hop history. James’s most recent album, Quartette Humaine, was recorded a month after Dave Brubeck’s death and pays tribute to the iconic pianist. He is assembling a quintet to celebrate this longawaited homecoming, with concert materials drawn from James’s extensive songbook, including tunes from his CTI Records catalog and Dave Brubeck compositions.“For many of his fans, Bob James is to jazz what James Brown is to R&B – the music and the musician go hand in hand.” (NPR Music) A UMS debut.