Big Jim Wright facts for kids

James Quentin "Big Jim" Wright (born March 19, 1966 – died September 29, 2018) was an American musician. He was also a talented songwriter and record producer. He even composed music for movies!

Big Jim was a member of a music group called Sounds of Blackness. He often worked with a famous production team, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. In the 1990s, he became a main producer for their company, Flyte Tyme Productions.

Big Jim's Music Career

James Wright was born in Rockford, Illinois. He grew up mostly in Rockford. He also lived in Roscoe, Rancho Cucamonga, California, and Atlanta, Georgia. In 1984, he finished high school at Rockford West High School. After that, he moved to Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

In Minnesota, Big Jim joined the music group Sounds of Blackness. He helped the band by producing their music. He also arranged and wrote songs for them. Through another band member, Ann Nesby, he met Terry Lewis. Terry Lewis offered Big Jim a special agreement to publish his music with Flyte Tyme Production. At the same time, Big Jim was still singing and playing keyboards for Sounds of Blackness.

Big Jim wrote and produced many popular songs. In 1999, he worked on the song "Open My Heart" for Yolanda Adams. This song won a special award called the NAACP Image Award. In 2004, Big Jim won the Black Reel Award for Best Original or Adapted Song. He earned this for his song "He Still Loves Me." This song was part of the movie The Fighting Temptations (2003).

In 2006, he won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song. This was for co-writing Yolanda Adams' song "Be Blessed." This song was on her album Day by Day (2006). Big Jim worked with many other famous artists too, like Mýa, Usher, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, and Chaka Khan.

His Passing

Big Jim Wright passed away on September 29, 2018. He was found at his home in Rockford.

Songs He Worked On

Singles

• "Til I Found You" (Jam & Lewis & Sounds of Blackness featuring Ann Nesby, Big Jim Wright & Lauren Evans) (2019)