James "Big Jim" Wright

James Quentin Wright (b. March 19, in Rockford, Illinois) is an American record producer, musician, singer, and songwriter. He is a junior partner at Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis' Flyte Time Productions, although he occasionally can be seen as a main producer, on Mariah Carey's 2005 album, "The Emancipation of Mimi".

Biography

Wright, affectionately known as Jimmy, was born in Rockford, IL where he attended Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church. From the age of five he began singing in church, which sparked a very serious interest in music. After learning to play several instruments (Jimmy) focused his efforts on mastering the Hammond Organ. While in the eighth grade he met and was mentored by Derrick Davis (who was the church organist at the time). From Davis, who was an accomplished musician and songwriter from Chicago, IL Wright learned the basic foundation of reading music, chord structures, arranging and writing songs, rudiments of jazz, as well an introduction to music production.

During his teens, he was part of his high school’s symphonic band and award winning jazz ensemble playing saxophone and piano. By age fifteen he was an organ and piano virtuoso, proving to be one of the town’s premier and most sought-after musicians. He was such in-demand at a young age that he relied on his Grandparents to take him to gigs because he was too young to drive himself. Also residing in Rockford, IL was future Sounds of Blackness lead singer Ann Nesby. His friendship with Nesby and her belief in his talent resulted in a recording session, which consisted of doing demo songs for Nesby to enter a songwriting contest in Nashville. Although the songs were never officially released, Wright knew that the session led him to know he wanted to be a professional musician.

The 90's

In the 90’s Big Jim moved to Minneapolis to join Nesby and renowned gospel/R&B aggregate, Sounds of Blackness, for whom he would perform, produce, arrange and compose over the next half-decade. During that time he would help to shape the Grammy-winning group’s trademark sound, touring almost continuously and recording such landmark albums as "Evolution of Gospel" and "Africa To America", in fact, they were the flagship signing of a new label Perspective Records formed by super producers, and music executives, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

Lewis, to whom Big Jim was initially introduced by his God sister, R&B/gospel star Ann Nesby, knew natural ability when he heard it, and were quick to offer Big Jim an exclusive publishing contract, even as he continued to anchor Sounds of Blackness as keyboardist and male lead vocalist. It was a gamble that paid off immediately, with the Wright-Nesby original, “Right Kind Of Lover,” a Top Ten hit for Patti LaBelle from her 1994 album, "Gems", which was Big Jim’s first co-production credit. It was followed quickly by another Wright-Nesby written smash, the number one “I’m Going All The Way,” as performed by Sounds of Blackness. By that time the young writer-producer had formed a solid creative bond with Jam & Lewis, co-producing and co-writing a string of hit albums with the duo.

Working out of Jam & Lewis’ state-of-the-art facilities Flyte Time studios in Minneapolis, Big Jim undertook a busy schedule of writing, producing and performing. Over the next several years, he would work with a virtual Who’s Who of modern musical greats including, Janet Jackson, Sting, Elton John, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, The Isley Brothers, …the list, as they say, goes on. Among the many highlights are included backing vocals on “Here I Am,” the theme from the animated film, ""; featuring Bryan Adams, lead vocals on a remake of the Stevie Wonder classic “High Ground” for the TBS Network’s nationally aired NBA broadcasts; co-writing Yolanda Adams’ top 5 R&B and top 40 Pop hit, “Open My Heart,” the R&B smash “Chante's Got A Man,” with Chante Moore and “I Wish I Wasn’t’ for Heather Headley. And somehow, in between it all, he found time to sing lead vocals for Sounds of Blackness on the soulful “The Lord Will Make A Way,” the Gap Band influenced “Everything’s Is Gonna Be Alright,” “The Harder They Are The Bigger They Fall,” and the Christmas classic “Soul Holidays.” Jimmy Jam often refers to Big Jim Wright as “Flyte Time’s secret weapon.” It’s a weapon that continues to maintain it’s cutting creative edge, as heard on a number of new and outstanding projects

The Move To Los Angeles

Big Jim relocated to Los Angeles, CA to be closer to the heart of the entertainment industry. Among his latest undertakings: a creative collaboration with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis in executive producing, writing, and scoring the Beyoncé Knowles and Cuba Gooding Jr. feature film, "Fighting Temptation", the end title song “Definition of Love” performed by Deborah Cox from the film "Akeelah and the Bee", “Ne Me Laisse Pas Seule Ici” and “Nobody Cares” for the soundtrack from the biographical and historical drama film "Hotel Rwanda".

On February 8, 2006 he won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song for Yolanda Adams’ “Be Blessed,” and receive a nomination for Album Of The Year for his work on Mariah Carey’s 6x platinum album "The Emancipation of Mimi". Carey’s top selling album of 2005 contains 3 tracks produced by Wright including the inspirational hit “Fly Like A Bird” written by Carey and Wright.

At the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, Mariah Carey performed "We Belong Together" and "Fly like a Bird." Big Jim Wright was on piano and organ, the latter with Hezekiah Walker and The Love Fellowship Choir. Mariah's performance was named by many to be the performance of the night.

On January 28, 2007 Black Entertainment Television (BET) aired it’s 7th annual "Celebration Of Gospel" hosted by Steve Harvey. The highly anticipated broadcast showcased today’s top gospel and R&B artist. Ray Chew (currently the music director for the syndicated television series, "Showtime at the Apollo" and the new NBC hit game show "The Singing Bee") conducted the house band for the show. Big Jim Wright sat in with the band on Hammond B3 throughout the entire broadcast.

Big Jim is a judge on the Gospel Music Channel's American Idol influenced show "Gospel Dream". The network's talent competition also features gospel and christian music superstars Marth Minizzi and J. Moss as celebrity judges.

BET's Sunday Best

On October 2 2007 BET aired the first episode of its new "American Idol" influenced Sunday Best (show). A gospel talent competition hosted by gospel superstar Kirk Franlin, and features celebrity judges Bebe Winans, Erica and Tina Campbel of Mary Mary who also serve as executive producers. The series airs on Tuesday nights 8PM est and repeats on Sunday morning and evening during the networks gospel programing block. It is rumored that Big Jim Wright is playing B-3 Organ with the house band on the networks new hit show.

Selected Discography

• 1992: Mo Money…Original Soundtrack – Sounds of Blackness

• 1992: Where Dey At? - Lo-key?

• 1993: Provocative - Johnny Gill

• 1993: janet. - Janet Jackson

• 1994: Gems…"”Right Kinda Lover”" - Patti LaBelle

• 1994: Just for You …"”Next Time”" - Gladys Knight

• 1994: Back 2 Da Howse – Lo-Key?

• 1994: Africa To America: The Journey Of The Drum - Sounds of Blackness

• 1994: Make Him Do Right - Karyn White

• 1994: Icon Of Love - Barry White

• 1995: Solo…"”Heaven”" - Solo

• 1995: History: Past, Present and Future, Book I - Michael Jackson

• 1995: I Will Survive (Doin’ It My Way) - Chantay Savage

• 1995: Inner City Blues: The Music Of Marvin Gaye - Sounds of Blackness

• 1996: I’m Here For You - Ann Nesby

• 1996: Louder Than Words - Lionel Richie

• 1996: I’m Movin’ On - Ce Ce Peniston

• 1997: Secada…"”After All Is Said And Done”" - Jon Secada

• 1997: Flames…"”When You Talk About Love”" - Patti LaBelle

• 1997: One Night With You: The Best of Love, Vol. 2 – Luther Vandross

• 1997: Velvet Rope…"”I Get So Lonely“" – Janet Jackson

• 1997: The Sixth Man…"”Make Me Say It Again”" Original Soundtrack - Stokley of Mint Condition

• 1998: Reality – Smooth

• 1998: How Stella Got Her Groove Back…Original Soundtrack

• 1998: Album – Angel Grant

• 1998: Prince of Egypt…Original Soundtrack – Boyz to Men

• 1999: Rainbow – Mariah Carey

• 1999: Aida (musical)…"”I Know The Truth”" – Elton John & Janet Jackson

• 1999: The Best Man (1999 film)…Original Soundtrack – R.L., Tyrese, Ginuwine & Case

• 1999: This Moment In Time…"”Chante’s Got a Man”" – Chante Moore

• 1999: Mary…"”The Love I Never Had”" – Mary J. Blige

• 1999: Mountain High, Valley Low…"”Open My Heart”" – Yolanda Adams

• 2000: Bait (film)…"”Free”" Original Soundtrack - Mýa

• 2000: The Emperor's New Groove…Original Soundtrack - Sting

• 2000: Exposed – Chante Moore

• 2000: When A Woman Loves – Patti LaBelle

• 2001: 8701 - Usher

• 2001: Eternal - Isley Brothers

• 2001: Glitter…Original Soundtrack – Mariah Carey

• 2001: No More Drama – Mary J. Blige

• 2001: Believe – Yolanda Adams

• 2001: All for You – Janet Jackson

• 2002: Charmbracelet …"”Through The Rain”" – Mariah Carey

• 2002: The Morning After (Deborah Cox album) – Deborah Cox

• 2002: Put It On Paper – Ann Nesby

• 2002: This Is Who I Am…"”I Wish I Wasn’t“" – Heather Headley

• 2003: Fighting Temptations…Original Soundtrack

• 2003: Priceless…"”Strong Man, (Jeff in C Minor)”" – Kelly Price

• 2003: So Damn Happy..."”Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool”" – Aretha Franklin

• 2003: Radio (film)..."The Eyes Of Your Heart" -India.Arie - Original Soundtrack

• 2004: Confessions (Usher album) – Usher

• 2004: Everyday People…"”Without You”" – Nicole C. Mullen

• 2004: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason…Original Soundtrack

• 2004: Imagination – OJays

• 2004: Love, Angel, Music Baby…"”Harajuku Girls”" – Gwen Stefani

• 2004: Shark Tale…Original Soundtrack – Cheryl Lynn

• 2004: Will & Grace: Let The Music Out…Original TV Soundtrack

• 2005: The Breakthrough…"”Can’t Get Enough”" – Mary J. Blige

• 2005: Day by Day…"”Be Blessed”" – Yolanda Adams

• 2005: Emancipation of Mimi…"”Fly Like A Bird”" – Mariah Carey

• 2006: In My Mind…"”What’s Not Being Said”" – Heather Headley

• 2006: Spirit Rising…"”You Will Win”" – Kelly Rowland

• 2006: Private Affair – Jessica Simpson

• 2007: So Much Better... "Home" - Carl Thomas

• 2007: Funk This - Chaka Khan

• 2007: Trey Day - Trey Songz

• 2007: I'll Be Home For Christmas - Isley Brothers

• 2007: Miss Patti's Christmas - Patti Labelle

• 2007: My Inspiration - Everette Harp