Pretzel Logic

The title track of the upcoming album "Dúo" by Ingrid León and Bob James, this song is a musical representation of the artists' collaboration. Ethnomusicologist Stephen Erlmeyer described it as "Future World R&B" (but how can it be "future" if you are listening to it today?). It is a chill, romantic, song with a beautiful storyline sung in two languages. It defines no genres..... it is Dúo.

Dúo

With A Woman Like You

One of the most beautiful songs we have ever had the opportunity to record.

Love Is Stronger Than Pride

Combining their Latin Jazz & Pop sound, Nuestros Corazones original composition illuminates the hearts of dancers and musical theorists alike.  Enjoy!

Nuestros Corazones

An original composition from Ingrid Leon & Bob James.  Part of the "Duo" project to be released  in 2024.

La Vida  Es

A happy keyboard filled composition from Ingrid Leon & Bob James

Eres

This Elton John medley consists of "Rocketman" (1973), "Where's the Shoorah?"(1976), "Kiss the Bride" 1983 and "Sacrifice" 1989. Pnau did a remix of this medley and was included on Elton John's "Lockdown Sessions" during the pandemic.  It is now 2024 and Ingrid & Bob have arranged an updated version of this wonderful dance-pop song with new instrumentation, key & beat.

Cold Heart (post pandemic)

“Para Mi” is the idea of self-empowerment with a woman singing to herself in front of a mirror, dedicating the words & song to herself. 

“Para Mi” is a deep dedication from Ingrid & Bob to Bossa Nova music, but the song is not intended to be “traditional” Bossa Nova.  Theoretically, the song is pure Bossa Nova: Consistently interchanging major & minor 7th chords while intermixing 11th, 13th & 6/9 chords as well. Bob commented: “When Bossa was forming in the late 40’s in Rio de Janeiro, kids were not listening to Argentinian Tangos & European Polkas like their parents.  They were listening to Jazz! The heroes of Antonio Jobim and other young musicians were the sounds of Nat King Cole and Duke Ellington. These are the influences that developed Bossa Nova from Samba that we know today.” 

With that spirit in mind, Ingrid & Bob asked one of the top young Jazz guitarists in the world, Rob Luft from London to join them on this song.  On this song, Rob plays like Rob just as Duke played like Duke. “Para Mi” is a dedication to women and Bossa Nova music.  It is an original song that Ingrid & Bob are hopeful illuminate a history and provokes progressive thought to one of the world’s most beautiful musical genres; Bossa Nova.

Para Mi

Every group has one & this one is ours:  Our hardest song to sing & play.... By a lot....  We practiced,worked on & recorded this song for over 4 months.  Along the way we shouted a novel's worth of swear words, shed a few tears, had moments of self-doubt, re-wrote, changed keys, watched long-time studio musicians (who we still greatly respect)  crash & burn  as they attempted the rapid chord changes in conjunction with a very tricky Batucada Samba. The song took us to the brink of our musical abilities (especially through the scat solo)... However we continued to persevere and we have come out the other side with a song we are very proud of.... and we feel we have become better musicians because of it.

Bom Ritmo

A great song to start your day!  This positive vibe has a driving beat, clear message , layered with a cascade of intricate Jazz piano (actually 4 of em) weaving in & out harmoniously with the vocals in a highly syncopated brazilian samba beat.  Enjoy!

Let's See What The Day Can Be

While in a deep sleep, the author starts to dream of a love while saying the words "You are always in my dreams, in my mind and in my heart."  Piano plays the emotions of the heart and the vocals support the piano in this piece instead of the other way around.  The dream fades away and the author returns to a deep sleep.

In My Dreams

A brand new R&B classic sounding single from Ingrid Leon & Bob James. Composed with the influence from some of the greatest female singers from the Motown & Atlantic Records era of the late 60's - early 70's.

Ingrid displays her classic "iron fist in a velvet glove" vocal style along with Bob playing a myriad of keyboards including grand piano, electric piano, organ, synthesizers and more.

This song will be released on major streaming platforms along with it's video  on November 11.  Pre-Save your Spotify copy (free) here:

Para Siempre

A dedication written to one of Bob's early piano teachers, musical influences and Jazz musician Jim Mick.  Joining ILBJ to conquer the challenging 6 trumpet and 4 flugelhorn parts is the fabulous session player Rick Jordan from Chicago, IL.  Lots of vocal power from Ingrid singing with this 17 piece big band, intricately playing mostly a 3:2 rhythm between the horns & the funky guitars. A step outside of ILBJ's Brazilian / Jazz / Pop (often described) sound, but as always, the mantra is #nogenresneeded.  Enjoy!

Toda Una Vida (Ode to Mick) Feat. Rick Jordan

"La Vida No Es Tan Complicada" (Life is Not Complicated) is a song about reminding us to stay present in our lives, for when we focus on the past or the future, life tends to become more complicated. Bob interweaves his Hammond B3 & Fender Rhodes keyboards together in a "conversation" with each other as the Brazilian Samba skips along at a rapid pace.  Enjoy!

La Vida No Es Tan Complicada

Ingrid & Bob continue to develop their unique sound of evolving traditional Bossa Nova with modern jazz, the way original masters João Gilberto and Antônio Carlos "Tom" Jobim did using Samba.

Donde Estas?

Quiero Volver a Mi

ILBJ's final single of the upcoming album "Dúo" (July) represents their style of of illuminating a mix of genres, rhythms and languages (this one sung in Portuñol) that both allows one to listen casually or attentively.  

"I love how this duo tips their hats to legends like Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto while putting their own fresh spin on it. It’s a lovely homage that doesn’t feel stuck in the past—it feels alive, evolving, and utterly authentic."  Ron Murx - Spotify Playlist Curator

Yo te vi
Me acerqué
Me dijiste: Como você está?
Yo te contesté:
Muy bien
Muy bien
Muito Bem
Y ahora que te tengo cerca mejor
E agora que te tenho perto, melhor!

Ah
Mejor estar aquí contigo
Que en el vicio del olvido
Ah
Que en el vicio del olvido

Porque
Baio Baio Baio
La vida
Es mejor
Porque
Baio Baio Baio
A vida
é melhor

La vida es mejor
Si cerquita te tengo
A paso lento
Cada movimiento
Cada sentimiento

A vida é melhor
Quando você está perto
Em passos lentos
Sinto cada movimento
Cada sentimento

Porque
Baio Baio Baio
La vida
Es mejor
Porque
Baio Baio Baio
A vida
é melhor

La vida es mejor
Si cerquita te tengo
A paso lento
Cada movimiento
Cada sentimiento

A vida é melhor
Quando você está perto
Em passos lentos
Sinto cada movimento
Cada sentimento

Miro al sol
Luego a ti
Me dijiste: Onde você está, meu bem?
Solo contesté:
He vuelto
He Vuelto
Eu voltei!  
Es porque te tengo cerca, amor
É porque te tenho perto, amor

Ah
Mejor estar aquí contigo
Que en el vicio del olvido
Ah
Que en el vicio del olvido


Aquí Contigo

We are two musicians who have collectively had the opportunities to tour with members of Talking Heads, Miles Davis Electric Band, James Brown, Herbie Hancock and others, but this is the first time we have ever produced anything with our name on it. We are a brand new duo, showcasing our music in 2024.

We are constantly writing, rehearsing, recording and distributing new music at the rate of about 3 singles per month.  We both write all original compositions together.  Bob plays all instruments (except “featured guests” included on certain releases) and Ingrid sings most of the vocals with Bob adding a sprinkle from time to time.

Our plan is to remain in the studio in 2024 and 2025, then performing live globally later in the year. If we have met before, thank you for joining our musical family and support.  If we are new friends, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Ilbjduomusic@gmail.com.

Ingrid Leon & Bob James

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