Jimmy Sommers

If it were up to saxophonist Jimmy Sommers, "Passion" would be his middle name. The Chicago native possesses the kind of passion that the moment a new melody begins haunting him, he'll call home to hum the notes into his answering machine before they get away from him. He owns thirteen horns because he can never bring himself to part with the old ones. Each instrument holds special memories... And when the muse called, he completed his industrial engineering degree at Southern Illinois University (attending on a music performance scholarship) a semester early so he could get to Los Angeles and pursue his dream that much faster. For Jimmy, music is more than a gig. It's as vital as breathing.

It was pure intuition that led Jimmy Sommers to pick up an alto saxophone in the fourth grade. But once he wrapped his hands around it, he instinctively knew what to do. His first recording was as a featured soloist with the MacArthur Junior High School jazz band, after which he promptly began sitting in with local blues greats, sneaking into bars and hang spots to soak up the authentic soul vibe. He began leading his own bands and was once invited to play the "Star Spangled Banner" at center court for a Chicago Bulls game. The sports tie-in also found him performing for the athletes in the Olympic Village during Atlanta's 1996 summer games. Music and Jimmy's inexplicable need to play it have ushered him into several exciting adventures.

In Los Angeles, he played on remix sessions for the likes of Chaka Khan, George Clinton, Boyz II Men - even 2Pac and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Hanging around Hollywood also found him moonlighting in modeling (including the cover of a Harlequin romance novel) and a small role on the CBS network soap opera, "The Young and The Restless," playing the character "Marcus." A brief return to Chicago found him producing commercials for big name clients like Disney and Miller Lite at the prestigious Leo Burnett Advertising Agency.

Being responsible for the visuals and the music for those spots, as well as getting things in on deadline, really inspired me to apply the same discipline to my music," Jimmy confesses. His music always remained a priority, culminating in him flying to the South of France and Asia to lead a band that included drummer Mel Gaynor (from English rock band Simple Minds), bassist Deon Estus (from George Michael's band) and the late pianist Kenny Moore from Tina Turner's band).

Jimmy has harvested the first fruits of those life experiences and spreads them out before you on his debut album, James Cafe, an 11-song plunge into smooth soulful expression. "I always dreamed of having a place I could come to anytime I wanted to just play for people and share my vibe," he says of the album's title. "A feel-good place with great sound where I could create my own atmosphere... an atmosphere where anything might happen." James Cafe is a place where Jimmy might zone in on one woman, fall to his knees at her feet and play with such intensity, her entire body would tremble. He might later jump up on the bar and wail like Jr. Walker reincarnated. Or he might just turn his hat down and blow a ballad so softly, the only other sound you'd hear is your heartbeat synching with his.

Jimmy made the trek from Chicago to Milwaukee for a month to work on James Cafe with musicians who represent the very pulse of '70s soul with the amenities of '90s production sheen. Jimmy produced the album with George Nash Jr., who worked closely with singer Eric Benet on his acclaimed solo debut. The CD's mixer, Peter Mokran, has played an integral role in platinum recordings by Maxwell, R. Kelly and Lisa Stansfield. Also contributing to the project is super guitarist Nile Rodgers, who guests on the funky "Tell Me You Got It" (with Jimmy overdubbing a section of saxes).

On James Cafe, you hear subtle reminders of Jimmy's favorite players - the warmth of Grover on "Feels So Right," the sensual, breathy tones of Getz on certain ballads, and the carnal heat of Sanborn on things like "Soulmate" and the section he trades solos with the guitar on "I'll Be A Friend." There are also undeniable strains of Stevie in the writing of tunes like "Promise Me" and especially "Search From Within," which is a reflection on the importance of making quality time to be alone and explore your very soul. The mellow "Velvet" was written for his older sister Janet's first-born boy, for whom Jimmy is the godfather. And "Stay Awhile" is a relaxed groove that features vocal interplay from special guest, Eric Benet. Offering smooth jazz radio a hot musical blend that will crossover to urban radio, Sommers is taking his music to the broadest audience possible.

Sure to get a lot of attention is his cover of the immensely popular Bonnie Raitt hit, "I Can't Make You Love Me," with its slow-cooked backbeat feel, reverent Hammond B3 organ and Jimmy's sax crying the blues over the top. "I know that song has already been done a million times," Jimmy says, "but I wanted people to hear and feel my interpretation - starting with a gentle passion that builds to setting my soul free."

At the root of the alto and soprano saxophonist's sound is melody, the kind that you hear once and won't soon forget. His soulful, seductive style of classic soul recalls the 70's, but knows all about the 90's. Yet the record only tells half the story. On stage, he's a high-fashion, highly flirtatious bundle of energy, ready to explode at the drop of a downbeat!

So when Jimmy Sommers and his mythical James Cafe carve a path toward your heart, don't even consider resisting. Jimmy's a package of heart, soul and fire that's too smooth to be denied.