Jim Stephens

“Yellow River” is the 4th album in 36 months by Jim Stephens on Ropeadope. This offering follows 2016’s Soul debut “On our Way To Forever,” 2017’s delta blues duo album “Box Car Blues” featuring BoyWonder, and 2018’s genre defying double album “Philasippiola Soul.” 

“Yellow River” brings some of Stephens’ New Orleans and Philly collectives together for a 10 song tour de force rooted in Jazz, Soul, Blues, and Funk that was recorded primarily over 2 days at the legendary Esplanade Studios in New Orleans. With Stephens writing 6 of the songs, while delivering as always on total reworkings of 3 cover songs and a traditional gospel song, he performs all of the arrangements and productions while shining once again on lap steel, harmonica and guitar. 

8 time Grammy winner and 2 time holder of #1 soo albums on the jazz charts, Shaun Martin (Kirk Franklin, Snarky Puppy) joins the band as pianist for 5 of the 10 songs, with Deej Roisin accompanying Martin on Organ, and taking lead on the other piano tracks. Will Winborne Jr., an integral member of Stephens’ band, as well as performing regularly with BoyWonder, The Village People, and rising hip-hop stars XPresidents, lends his organ and rhodes work to the title track and Stephens’ Norah Jones inspired take on The Band’s “Bessie Smith.” 

The horn section features a pair of living legends in Big Sam Williams and Jeffrey T, Watkins (New Orleans Suspects, James Brown’s horn director for the last 13 years of James’ life, and later Joss Stone’s band leader - and was responsible for the horn direction), joined by the elite and nationally acclaimed talents of Lori LaPatka, and Ian Smith (Joss Stone, New Orleans Suspects). 

The rhythm sections are broke into 3 groups featuring: Jerry JBLAKK Henderson and Milk Williams of Big Sam’s Funky Nation; Sam Price from Honey Island Swamp Band and Sam Shahin of Naughty Professor and Big Freeda; and Sam Shahin and Noah Young from Naughty Professor and Big Freeda. 

Stephens’ band emplores 3 amazing vocal talents in Ja-Tun Thomas, Andre “BoyWonder” Coles, and Ariel Skye, All of whom shine on duets and solo appearances - as well as most noticeably on Stephens’ re-working of the Ike and Tina Turner classic “Working Together,” - which employs full horns, and Martin on Piano, with Thomas, Skye and Coles trading lines with inspired passion and soul that one would have to look hard and far to find previously recorded elsewhere. Skye especially shines in Stephens’ composition “Spend My Life” paired in duet with Shaun Martin in arguably Martin’s best performance on record to date.

In the summer of 2020, Jim finalized the contracts to launch his own subsidiary label Elite Music Group - (EMG)” under Ropeadope - and due to nationwide public health concerns, it will launch on the other side of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Stephens has been an active and integral part of several top artists garnering label support, touring support, booking opportunities, and as a conduit for countless musicians to land work with top charting artists on tour and in-studio work as session musicians. 

Jim has taught music and ensemble performance in Biloxi, MS; Homestead, FL; Port Au Prince, Haiti; Gonaives, Haiti; and Tamil Nadu India. He has also co-taught in inter-discipline arts programs.. Jim has also been a panelist, speaker, and curator in numerous arts, art education, and music business forums. He has also designed and taught a class/ interactive lecture/presentation on the Artist’s Responsibility to Society. 

In 2010, Stephens produced and curated a benefit for Haiti featuring along with his band, Kindred The Family Soul, Jazmine Sullivan, Chubb Rock, Meek Millz, Jean Baylor, Res, Dice Raw of The Roots, and several more. 

Jim has produced, curated, and has been a performer at numerous concerts and events for philanthropic purposes in New Orleans and Philadelphia. 

In 2014 Philadelphia City Councilman David Oh recruited Jim as one of two consultants/advisors to launch the now annual PHL LIVE, which showcases music as the economic stimulator it is throughout the city, while allowing up and coming musicians to meet, talk with, and learn from the best and most successful musicians, producers, and executives in Philadelphia and surrounding area - while providing financial incentives for artists through their work. Stephens’ non-profit ER3 was the partner for executing artist grants for the first 3 years of the annual series. 

In 2015, Jim founded and produces Mermaid Rescue Week, a week long music and arts festival in benefit and support of Domestic Violence and Rape Survivor advocacy. 2020 was the first year since 2015 the festival did not happen due to Covid-19. 

Stehens previous albums in addition to Coles, Thomas, and Winbourne, Jr. feature living legends Lucky Thompson (Nina Simone, Billy Paul, Harold Melvin and the blue Notes) Pablo Batista, Elliott Levin, Chuck Treece (Bad Brains - Rock n Roll HOF Nominee, Billy Joel, D’Angelo, Skateboarding legend), and Doug Grisby (Teena Marie, Taj Mahal, Michael Jackson. Patti Labelle); as well as current stars Stan Davis (Teena Marie, Lauren Hill); and Greg Moore (Jazmine Sullivan, Musiq Soulchild, Ro James).

Jim Stephens’ Full Tilt Boogie Band is an all-star ensemble led by the writing and compositions of Lap Steel player, guitarist, and harmonica virtuoso Jim Stephens. The ensemble was signed to Ropeadope Records in 2015, and released “On Our Way to Forever” in 2016.

The band features Chuck Treece and occasionally Lucky Thompson on drums, Winston Byrd and Elliott Levin on tenor sax, Rah Sungee or Stan Davis on bass, Scott Coulter playing keys, Monique Canniere on violin and vocals, Greg Moore on guitar and the co-lead vocals of Kinyon Lanier and Sarah Kane, an incredible soulful talent out of New Orleans. Col. Mike Tyler, Boy Wonder and Joe Jordan also join the band.

Among the numerous musicians who have performed with the family band include: The late great Jesse Andrus (James Cotton), and the late great Jef Lee Johnson (Esperanza Spalding, George Duke, Mariah Carey, Rachelle Farelle, Common,).

Gradually formed between band members touring commitments and Philly’s jazz jam circuit over the past decade and a half, Jim Stephens’ Full Tilt Boogie Band blends a soulful and upbeat hybrid of jazz, funk, rhythm and blues, and gospel.  

The band has joined The New Orleans Suspects, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Eric Roberson, Kindred The Family Soul, Hezekiah, Bilal, Johnny Popcorn, Dice Raw, Jaguar Wright, McRad, Stereotytans, and countless others in concert. The diversity of the lineups which they have been a part of speaks to the accessibility and fan base of the band across musical genres.