Jose James
b. 1980, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. As a child James studied all aspects of vocal music, ranging through classical choral works to 60s pop groups. In 2000, he relocated to New York City but failed to make an impression. He dropped out of music for three years before being encouraged to try again. He returned to New York, this time with help from a scholarship to study at New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music where the tutors included Junior Mance. In 2006, James visited London to take part in a jazz competition but was unsuccessful. However, on this trip he was heard by Gilles Peterson who recorded him for his Brownswood Records. Unusually for someone of his age, James has shown a deep interest in the post-bop vocal styling of artists such as Mark Murphy and Leon Thomas. From his New York base he works often with a trio, Nori Ochiai (piano), Alexi David (bass) and Steve Lyman (drums). He has also worked and sometimes recorded with artists such as Basement Jaxx, Simbad and Ben Westbeech. Perhaps energized by his two setbacks, by the mid-00s James was maturing rapidly as an inventive yet accessible jazz singer.
Listen to Jose James
at Finetune.
Albums
- (2001) Jungle to Jungle
Top Tracks
- Caribbean Carnaval
- Zulu Dance
- Desi
- Look! Eternity !
- Camel Ride
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