Robert McElhiney “Bob” James (born December 25, 1939) is an American two-time Grammy Award-winning smooth jazz keyboardist, arranger and record producer. He is recognized as one of the original founders of smooth jazz, and is renowned for the complexity of arrangements and instrumentals. Bob James’s career is extensive and diverse, continuing to evolve at every turn. From his first days in Marshall, Missouri, the music of Bob James has captivated audiences throughout the world.
His music has been sampled several times in hip hop music. Two of James’ songs – “Nautilus” from 1974’s One and “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” from 1975’s Two – are among the most sampled in hip hop history. “Nautilus” has been most famously sampled in Eric B. & Rakim’s “Let The Rhythm Hit ’em”, Run-D.M.C.’s “Beats to the Rhyme”, Ghostface Killah’s “Daytona 500”, Soul II Soul’s “Jazzie’s Groove”, and Jeru the Damaja’s “My Mind Spray” amongst many others. The notes of “Nautilus'” bassline were also played on a keyboard for Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story”. According to whosampled.com, “Nautilus” and “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” have been heard in thirty-two and forty-three hip-hop recordings.