James 'PJ' Spraggins
Birmingham, Alabama, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
It’s my pleasure to introduce you to James “PJ” Spraggins… drummer, keyboardist, composer, and producer from Birmingham, Alabama. He’s been playing music since he was a youngster in nearby Bessemer, attended Alabama State on a music scholarship, and has played with a host of headliners, among them Ronnie Laws, Eric Essix, and the Smooth Jazz group Tekneek. THE LIGHT OF DAY is PJ’s debut solo project, and it’s a good one. In fact, you may have heard it recently on the Weather Channel’s “Local on the 8’s” segments. The album, as PJ puts it, “is a collection of songs written from a drummer’s perspective… just simple songs with simple melodies. It’s my way of reminding people not to forget about the little things that make life worth living.” In addition to drums and drum programming, he plays the keys beautifully on all nine originals. Eric Essix contributes some exceptional guitar work to both “Excited” and the succulent “Autumn Breeze,” which are two of my faves on the disc. I love PJ’s concept and his new album… a_lot. Simple, memorable melodies have been the basis for some of our most popular hits… the ones we love to listen to over and over again, year after year. It takes pure talent to compose that kind of music, and James “PJ” Spraggins has definitely been blessed with plenty of that. THE LIGHT OF DAY is a collection of gentle, lyrical tunes that will, indeed, help you connect to the joy in life! - Scott O'Brien, www.smoothjazz.com
It’s my pleasure to introduce you to James “PJ” Spraggins… drummer, keyboardist, composer, and producer from Birmingham, Alabama. He’s been playing music since he was a youngster in nearby Bessemer, attended Alabama State on a music scholarship, and has played with a host of headliners, among them Ronnie Laws, Eric Essix, and the Smooth Jazz group Tekneek. THE LIGHT OF DAY is PJ’s debut solo project, and it’s a good one. In fact, you may have heard it recently on the Weather Channel’s “Local on the 8’s” segments. The album, as PJ puts it, “is a collection of songs written from a drummer’s perspective… just simple songs with simple melodies. It’s my way of reminding people not to forget about the little things that make life worth living.” In addition to drums and drum programming, he plays the keys beautifully on all nine originals. Eric Essix contributes some exceptional guitar work to both “Excited” and the succulent “Autumn Breeze,” which are two of my faves on the disc. I love PJ’s concept and his new album… a_lot. Simple, memorable melodies have been the basis for some of our most popular hits… the ones we love to listen to over and over again, year after year. It takes pure talent to compose that kind of music, and James “PJ” Spraggins has definitely been blessed with plenty of that. THE LIGHT OF DAY is a collection of gentle, lyrical tunes that will, indeed, help you connect to the joy in life! - Scott O'Brien, www.smoothjazz.com
Introducing, Birmingham, Alabama’s own - the multi-talented James “PJ” Spraggins! His professional resume reflects one of a consummate professional and respected colleague in the world of live jazz and R&B music. Spraggins’ debut release “The Light of Day” captures the very essence of Birmingham’s “cool and do it easy” panache.
This drummer, composer and producer launches into the title cut “The Light of Day” with an elegant throwback to the soothing and sexy. Spraggins’ use of programmable drum tracks is a compliment to his drumming sensibilities as it is highly unusual for a “drummer” to use “programmable drums” in the majority of their production.
“PJ” as he is affectionately called, launches into the next tune, “Excited” with unabashed simplicity and unleashes an arsenal of Birmingham’s finest, guitarist Eric Essix, bassist Sean Michael Ray, and saxophonist, Kelley O’Neal; the drum track programmed and produced by PJ.
One of my favorite tunes “Autumn Breezes” is cool and sexy and inviting; while PJ’s live drums playfully accompany Essix’s acoustic guitar zephyr-like. “God is Good” and “Sweet Nita” continue the story with a lively “Euro” vibe most likely attributed to the keyboard patches [sounds] that PJ deliberately chooses for his entire album.
All in all, this CD is a great introduction to your closest friends who are not sure how or why they should love jazz music. This CD does not offend the ear and offers the appropriate insignia for entertaining in the confines of your home. Achtung baby! Proceed with caution and Watch out; as the music here is fantastically sensual and probably should have been dedicated to all the lovers in the house………
Put “The Light of Day” in rotation, pour some passion fruit in a tall glass, and sip. It’s all about the groove...
Respectfully submitted by Ginger Dee
for Atlanta Jazz.Info
www.myspace.com/gingerdee - Ginger Dee, atlantajazz.info
Introducing, Birmingham, Alabama’s own - the multi-talented James “PJ” Spraggins! His professional resume reflects one of a consummate professional and respected colleague in the world of live jazz and R&B music. Spraggins’ debut release “The Light of Day” captures the very essence of Birmingham’s “cool and do it easy” panache.
This drummer, composer and producer launches into the title cut “The Light of Day” with an elegant throwback to the soothing and sexy. Spraggins’ use of programmable drum tracks is a compliment to his drumming sensibilities as it is highly unusual for a “drummer” to use “programmable drums” in the majority of their production.
“PJ” as he is affectionately called, launches into the next tune, “Excited” with unabashed simplicity and unleashes an arsenal of Birmingham’s finest, guitarist Eric Essix, bassist Sean Michael Ray, and saxophonist, Kelley O’Neal; the drum track programmed and produced by PJ.
One of my favorite tunes “Autumn Breezes” is cool and sexy and inviting; while PJ’s live drums playfully accompany Essix’s acoustic guitar zephyr-like. “God is Good” and “Sweet Nita” continue the story with a lively “Euro” vibe most likely attributed to the keyboard patches [sounds] that PJ deliberately chooses for his entire album.
All in all, this CD is a great introduction to your closest friends who are not sure how or why they should love jazz music. This CD does not offend the ear and offers the appropriate insignia for entertaining in the confines of your home. Achtung baby! Proceed with caution and Watch out; as the music here is fantastically sensual and probably should have been dedicated to all the lovers in the house………
Put “The Light of Day” in rotation, pour some passion fruit in a tall glass, and sip. It’s all about the groove...
Respectfully submitted by Ginger Dee
for Atlanta Jazz.Info
www.myspace.com/gingerdee - Ginger Dee, atlantajazz.info
Discography
James PJ Spraggins---(Pure Logic) Executive Producer
James PJ Spraggins ---(The Light of Day), drums, keys, programming
Eric Essix-----(Abide With Me), drums
Hart Ramsey----(Charge it To My Heart), drums
It's All About Him Ministries----(Come Let Us Adore Him), drums, drum programming
William Green----(Green Valley), drums
CeCe Phillips----(Long Time Coming), Writing, production
Eric Essix---(Somewhere in Alabama DVD), drums
Tekneek----(JoyRide), drums, writing, programming
Gary Harris-----(Here For You), writing, production
Tracy Hamlin---(Better Days) Wrote music for title track, drums
Eric Essix----(Eric Essix) Drums
Kim Scott----(Rite of Passage) Drums, wrote & produced "Block Party" & "Treetops", co-wrote "Sweet Obsession".
Photos
Bio
James Spraggins II, affectionately known as PJ, is a drummer, composer and producer. PJ developed a love for music at an early age in the church while growing up in Bessemer, Alabama. He received a music scholarship to Alabama State University where he participated in five different music ensembles. During his musical career as a professional drummer PJ has performed with some of the greatest musicians & entertainers all over the world like Stevie Wonder, Roy Ayers, Martha Reeves, Randy Owen (from country group Alabama), jazz saxophonists Kirk Whalum & Kelley Oneal, Marcus Miller, Peabo Bryson, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Alex Bugnon, jazz guitarist Eric Essix, Frank McComb, Byron Cage, Dorenda Clark, Kurt Carr, & vocalist extraordinaire Tracy Hamlin (formerly of Pieces of A Dream) to name a few. In 2009 PJ did his first artist collaboration with Tracy Hamlin and co-wrote the title track of her second CD, "Better Days", which went on to reach the top of the R&B; charts in the UK later that year.
In 2006 PJ released his self-produced debut jazz CD 'The Light of Day'. In his words, "The Light of Day" is a refreshingly uplifting collection of songs written from a drummer's perspective." The Light of Day has received international acclaim since its release and was featured on The Weather Channel for most of 2007. In 2012 PJ released his sophomore project titled Pure Logic. Pure Logic is his most progressive effort yet with artist collaborations representing several different genres and a musical appearance by legendary jazz saxophonist, Gerald Albright, playing bass guitar on the foot-stomping track ‘Grandma’s Groove’ dedicated to the memory of PJ’s late grandmother.
PJ continues to gain experience in the world of music by collaborating with artists by way of writing and production. PJ's most recent collaboration with flutist Kim Scott has proven to be a success producing fan-favorite tracks like "Block Party" & "Sweet Obsession".
PJ believes that music is powerful and he'll continue to make music that inspires people.
Band Members
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