Jose James

biog

Since his explosive arrival on the international scene vocalist José James has consistently dazzled critics and audiences alike with his smooth combination of soul, hip-hop and jazz. Using his musical mentors John Coltrane, Marvin Gaye and Billie Holiday as compasses, he effortlessly blurs the lines between musical genres through his love of connecting to audiences worldwide and in the sheer joy of creation.

Blessed with a warm, rich baritone reminiscent of Terry Callier, Jon Lucien and Gil-Scott Heron, José has toured internationally at venues such the Umbria, Nice, and North Sea Jazz Festivals, Billboard Live Tokyo, Ancienne Belgique, Centro Cultural Sao Paolo, the Hermitage St. Petersburg, Central Park Summerstage and London's Royal Festival Hall. His debut album "The Dreamer" was released in 2008 to worldwide acclaim, including #21 Critic’s Pick of JazzTimes Top 50 Jazz Albums of that year.

His sophomore release “BLACKMAGIC” explored the worldwide underground, featuring production from Flying Lotus, Moodymann, Taylor McFerrin, and DJ Mitsu the Beats. Currently signed to the legendary Impulse! label, José’s artistry took a classic route with “For All We Know,” an intimate reading from the Great American Songbook with pianist Jef Neve. As a guest artist José has worked with Junior Mance, Chico Hamilton, Christian McBride, Gilles Peterson, Bassment Jaxx, Nicola Conte, Jazzanova, and Flying Lotus.

"A rising jazz star." - John Caramanica, New York Times.

"I thought singers like this didn't exist anymore, I was wrong, José James is here to remind us why we love music so much!" – Gilles Peterson, BBC Radio One.

"A natural intimacy that very few people have." – Andy Bey.

"José James is a class act." – John Fordham, The Guardian.

"James has the coiled power of a great singer and the tenderness at the heart of Coltrane’s music. Quite superb." – Stephen Graham, Jazzwise Magazine.

"In an era ruled by songbook clones, the arrival of Brooklyn based vocalist José James is a breath of fresh air." – Thomas Barlow, BBC Music.