By Jonathan Widran
Since the only way forward in a life inevitably full of loss and setbacks is to, as Johnny Mercer once rhapsodized, “accentuate the positive,” the one silver lining amidst the terrible news of the recent untimely passing of saxophonist Jimmy Sommers is the opportunity to revisit some of the hippest, badass, groove centric and progressive contemporary urban jazz of the late 90s and 2000s.
Over the incredible decade-plus of his recording career, from his impactful DIY 1998 debut James Café (whose vibe I reviewed as “slick” while hailing its “powerful emotional statements”) to his stellar old and new standards collection Time Stands Still, the wildly charismatic, multi-talented musician, composer and producer from the burbs of Chicago was an inescapable force in the genre, regularly hitting the Top Ten at radio with classic jams like the title track from his 2002 Higher Octave album 360 Urban Groove (featuring Norman Brown) and a tasty spin on Boz Scaggs’ “Lowdown” featuring late rap legend Coolio.
Testament to his immense talent, ever evolving musical curiosity and intense passion for both jazz and the R&B/hip-hop music of multiple eras, Jimmy mastered the art of all-star collaboration, also vibing on tracks with (in no particular order) Gloria Loring, Eric Benét, French duo Les Nubians, Ginuwine, Raphael Saadiq, Sparkle, Macy Gray, Chris Botti, Paul Brown, Ruff Endz, Vikter Duplaix and Paul Oakenfold. Seemed like everyone wanted to work with the hottest saxman in town. It was always a treat to get his latest CD and see what kind of genre-busting magic he was kicking up with another superstar!
Jimmy was also a tireless, electrifying performer whose work ethic once inspired me to call him “the James Brown of contemporary jazz.” Covering a showcase for the new millennium’s movers and shakes in smooth jazz, I wrote, “The stage lights go up at the Sunset Room in Hollywood, the band starts grooving, the partygoers begin moving in time…and he takes control with his tenacious tenor from the first licks of the irresistible ‘Menage A Trois.’ There’s no question he’s a born entertainer.” John “Q” Quigley, longtime music director and manager of Spaghettini Grill & Jazz Club, perhaps said it best when he heard of his longtime friend’s passing: “Jimmy was the life of the party and really knew how to make people smile.”
Other longtime friends and associates offered similar gratitude for Jimmy’s effusive spirit and great array of talents. Longtime manager Kevin Harewood said, “I have represented several artists as manager. Some were bigger names, but I never had more consistent fun with anyone than I had working with Jimmy Sommers – a true friend even when we had no business together.”
Jimmy’s longtime publicist Tom Estey said, “Jimmy was a true lover of life. A talented musician and producer and an astute businessman who possessed a confidence in his creativity that most don’t possess. I liked to call him the ‘bad boy of contemporary jazz.’ His talent was boundless and boundary-less. Working with was a joy on every level. The media loved him – he did press that was boundless as well from People Magazine to Today to Regis along with more traditional media outlets. The news of his passing is sad to say the least, but I find comfort that he left a legacy that is all his own – once again “no boundaries”. I’m forever grateful to know him, truly.”
A dynamic. forward thinking entrepreneur and relentless self-promoter from the get-go, Jimmy’s initial breakthrough as an artist traces back to a huge celeb filled Christmas party at the Malibu home of John Paul DeJoria, owner of Paul Mitchell hair care products. Not long after Sommers met Rod Stewart at the bar, he pulled out his sax and began jamming with the legendary singer and the house band. DeJoria took notice, Jimmy chatted him up and soon the magnate bought 150,000 CD samplers of James Café and sold them in promo packages with his shampoo and conditioner.
It was the perfect vehicle for a guy who only four years later, would ride his gorgeous hair (among other attributes) to People magazine’s list of Top 50 Bachelors of 2002. I enjoyed riffing on it, too. Jimmy is perhaps the only artist who inspired me to write about his “amazing, tousled hair and sexy moves” more than a few times.
While Jimmy’s powerhouse vibes, sense of freewheeling adventure and vibrant sense of style captivated thousands of us back in the day, music was only one of the endeavors he rocked throughout his fascinating life. Early on, his extra-musical entrepreneurial activities included Baby Genius, which published and distributed CDs, cassettes and videos geared towards the development and well-being of babies and young children; and Koi, the popular L.A. sushi bar and Japanese restaurant he opened in 2002. Patrons (including myself) were likely to hear Jimmy hold court, blowing his sax on any given night. It was the fulfillment of the vision he had when he titled his debut album James Café.
In later years, Jimmy enjoyed even greater success and notoriety as owner and CEO of Wildfox, the lifestyle brand known for its dream quality clothes, high end fabric, sun soaked, sexy California attitude and immense campaigns, and then the top shelf tequila Perfectomundo, a company he launched with Grammy winning DJ producer (and frequent musical collaborator) Paul Oakenfold.
It’s likely that Jimmy’s commitment to these ventures is what took him away from recording after Time Stands Still – but, shortly before he passed, some 16 years on, he told Jeffrey Carruthers, producer of many of his hits (including “Lowdown”) that he was interested in making music again.
The saxophonist’s passion for the perfect melody and groove never left him completely. As he once so eloquently said, “Inspiration comes from doing music that you see people enjoying. There’s no better feeling in the world than having somebody tell me how much they like my music. That makes it all worth doing. I love touring, seeing the world and meeting all kinds of nice people who take the time to let me know how much they appreciate what I do.”
