James ‘Boogaloo’ Bolden
Trumpet, Singer, Band Leader
James “Boogaloo” Bolden was born February 9, 1950 to James and Rachel Bolden in Houston, Texas. From youth onward he had a passion for music. He learned to play classical trumpet during his high school years and was a member of the school choir. Later, Bolden also learned to play the guitar.
Playing with famous acts such as Stevie Wonder, Issac Hayes, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Spinners and James Brown, he gained knowledge and reputation, and was eventually asked to join Duke Ellington’s band. Bolden would join B.B. King’s Blues Band and eventually became leader of that world famous band. A member of the King’s Blues Band for more than 30 years, it was B.B. King who gave Bolden the nickname “Boogaloo” because of Bolden’s restless feet.
Bolden’s own R&B band is the James “Boogaloo” Bolden Blues Band.
