James “Bonzai” Caruso is a six-time Grammy-winning recording and mix engineer, producer, arranger, and songwriter with over three decades of experience working with high-profile recording artists across multiple genres.
Bonzai began his career as a teenager, studying at the renowned Institute of Audio Research in Greenwich Village and cutting his teeth in New York City’s top studios. By his early 20s, he was already gaining recognition for his innovative mixing style.
He built his reputation collaborating with a wide range of artists, including Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, Afrika Bambaataa, Ice-T, and later attracting major producers and performers such as Sean “Puffy” Combs, Mary J. Blige, Notorious B.I.G., Jodeci, Missy Elliott, Faith Evans, C+C Music Factory, Madonna, Nas, and many others.
A pivotal moment in his career came when his work on “Shy Guy” by Diana King led to a long-standing musical partnership with Stephen Marley (son of Bob Marley). Together, they’ve worked on many chart-topping hits, including Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock, Stephen Marley’s Mind Control (including its acoustic version), Nas & Damian Marley’s Distant Relatives, Stephen Marley’s Revelation, and Damian Marley’s Stony Hill, contributing to multiple Grammy wins and nominations.
Bonzai’s work also appears on projects by Chronixx, Alicia Keys, Protoje, Mariah Carey, Gwen Stefani, Erykah Badu, Bette Midler, Lenny Kravitz, and Cher, among others.
Beyond artist records, he has composed original music for film, television, and advertising, creating pieces for Adidas, CMT, Phillip Morris, and independent films.
Bonzai continues to innovate in the music industry with his belief that his best work is still ahead.
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