(August 14, 2026) Saxophonist Boney James has carved out a reputation one of contemporary jazz’s in-demand collaborators with R&B artists. James’ pairings with Stokley, Avery*Sunshine, Kenny Lattimore, Lalah Hathaway, and October London have earned him airplay on R&B radio in a very segmented market.
Now, James seems poised to have another hit with “I Belong To You,” a lovely ballad the features Ledisi as the lead singer. “I Belong To You” plays to Ledisi’s strengths as an artist who puts her entire being into a ballad, while managing to fuse jazz inspired phrasing into her soulful singing. “I Belong To You” is a classic romantic ballad that finds Ledisi expressing her desire to give herself to her lover. The song is a romantic monologue that intimately outlines all thing things that attract her to this man.
At some points, James uses his saxophone as an instrument of call and response, offering a melodic assent to Ledisi’s expressions of love. The song will appear on James’ album A Simple Man, which is set for an early October release. You can check out “I Belong To You,” Boney James’ new duet with soul singer Ledisi here.
By Howard Dukes
