The Career of James “Big Jim†Wright
Record Producer/songwriter/keyboardist/vocalist Big Jim Wright of the famed Flyte Tyme Productions (Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis) came to prominence in the early 90’s co-writing and producing a string of hits with the production dynasty. Big Jim is often referred to as Flyte Tyme’s secret weapon.
In the 90’s Big Jim joined the 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.
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, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron; 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
Big Jim moved 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. He has won several other awards throughout his career including: ASCAP, NAACP, and DOVE awards, along with numerous Grammy Award nominations. On February 8, 2006 Big Jim won the 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.
The list of artist Big Jim has worked with is endless but includes: Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Avila Brothers, Usher, Janet Jackson, Fantasia Barrino, Gwen Stefani, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, Chaka Khan, Beyonce,’ Sting, Isley Brothers, Yolanda Adams, Patti LaBelle, Boyz to Men, Aretha Franklin, Kelly Rowland, Trey Songz, Mary Mary, Heather Headley, Gladys Knight, Everette Harp, Kelly Rowland, Carl Thomas, Jessica Simpson, Angie Stone, Kelly Price, India Arie, The Ojays, Stevie Wonder, Barry White, Deborah Cox, Elton John, Nicole C. Mullen, Joy Williams, Ann Nesby, Sounds of Blackness, Chante’ Moore, Mya, K-Ci & JoJo, Mint Condition, Luther Vandross, Jon Secada, Lionel Richie, CeCe Peniston, D.J. Rogers, Karyn White, Lo-Key?, Doc Powell, Soul Seekers, Angel Grant, Solo, Johnny Gill, and many more...