Bob James at the Blue Note

The Blue Note presents Bob James on Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. While James is recognized as one of the progenitors of smooth jazz, his music has also had a profound effect on the history of hip hop, having been sampled often. Two of James’ songs – “Nautilus” from 1974 and “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” from 1975 – are among the most sampled in hip hop history.

Blue Note, 1030 Main St., Napa, www.bluenotejazz.com/napa