James Alexander (musician)

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James Alexander is an American soul and R&B musician. He is a longtime member of the band The Bar-Kays, for which he plays bass guitar. He also is the father of noted hip-hop and R&B producer Phalon "Jazze Pha" Alexander, whom he named after late Bar-Kays bandmate Phalon Jones. Contrary to widespread belief, James Alexander's relationship, which produced his son Phalon, was not with R&B and gospel singer Deniece Williams, but rather with another woman (herself an accomplished singer) named Denise Williams.[1] [2]

James Alexander was the bassist for The Bar-Kays when most of the band members, including Jones, were killed in the same plane crash that claimed the life of soul singer Otis Redding. Alexander was the only Bar-Kays member not aboard that flight. After the crash, Ben Cauley, the sole survivor among those who were aboard the plane, worked with Alexander to reform the band.

Alexander also played the bass guitar on the recording of the Academy Award-winning theme song from the 1971 feature film Shaft.