I’ve admired James for a long time; I remember when “Sweet Baby James” came out back in 1970. One of my fraternity brothers played it over and over again (that happened with Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” too, but it was a different fraternity brother). He did something more to justify that admiration today: he canceled a concert he was scheduled to perform in Manila to protest Philippines President Duterte’s drug war and the summary executions by police and vigilantes that are its underpinnings.

“…recent reports from the Philippines of summary executions of suspected offenders without trial or judicial process are deeply concerning and unacceptable to anyone who loves the rule of law.”

Here’s he is singing “Winter Wonderland” from his 2006 album “At Christmas.” He gets help from Chris Botti on trumpet.