José James
Internationally-acclaimed jazz vocalist José James has signed with Impulse! Records, it was announced today by Nate Herr, General Manager of The Verve Music Group. James will make his debut on Impulse! with the May 11, 2010 release of For All We Know, a duet recording with Belgian pianist Jef Neve.
"There has been no bigger moment in my musical life than signing to Impulse! Records, "The House That 'Trane Built," home to many of the finest works in the history of music, and to vocalists of the caliber of Johnny Hartman," expressed James. "For All We Know, my duet with pianist Jef Neve, is an album of beautiful songs played between friends in an intimate after-hours setting. May it uplift and inspire."
For All We Know features ten exquisite interpretations of standards, each showcasing James' smoky voice and the stellar talents of pianist Jef Neve. From the stirring "Body and Soul" to the swinging "Everyday I Have the Blues" to the tender "Embraceable You," each of the album's songs is a gem of jazz vocal performance with the perfect accompaniment on the ivories. Other classic tunes performed by James and Neve on the collection include "Lush Life," "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You," and "Autumn in New York."
Since his arrival on the international scene in 2008 vocalist José James has consistently dazzled critics and audiences alike with his deft combination of soul, hip-hop and jazz. Born in Minneapolis, and now living in London, James uses his musical mentors John Coltrane, Marvin Gaye, and Billie Holiday as compasses as he continues to successfully blur the lines between musical genres.
Blessed with a warm rich baritone reminiscent of artists such as Terry Callier, Jon Lucien, and Gil-Scott Heron, José has toured internationally at venues such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Vitoria Jazz Festival, Billboard Live Tokyo, Centro Cultural Sao Paolo, the Hermitage St. Petersburg, Central Park Summerstage New York, and London's Royal Festival Hall.
James has released two records on Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings, The Dreamer and Blackmagic, and For All We Know will mark his major label debut.
As a recording artist and guest vocalist José has worked with Junior Mance, Chico Hamilton, Basement Jaxx, Nicola Conte, Jazzanova, and Christian McBride, among others.
Dahlia Ambach-Caplin, head of A&R for Verve stated that "José James is a multi-faceted talent, and he has inspired us to open the doors of Impulse! to a new generation of artists." José James and Jef Neve For All We Know (B0013977-02) will be available on CD May 11, 2010.
"Since releasing 'The Dreamer' in 2008 it's been like an explosion!" declares José James in that warm, smokey baritone voice. He's at Gilles Peterson's Brownswood HQ and the next album, 'BLACKMAGIC', is in the can. José is looking and feeling good. Totally energized by the recent experiences and collaborations that have transformed his life, he's left Brooklyn and settled in north London.
"In the past year I've played in 30 different countries." he says shaking his head in seeming disbelief. "I did the North Sea jazz Festival in front of 1500 people. Of course there was Gilles' Worldwide Festival in Singapore - I met Taylor McFerrin there who I've since worked with on the album. At Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, a collaboration with pianist Jef Neve attracted 2000 people and a five star review.
As the singer says he's gone from having some good ideas to acquiring a serious international reputation. 'The Dreamer' has sold 30,000 copies across the globe, going gold in Benelux. On the home front, in the States, he popped up at number 21 in the Jazz Times Top 50 albums of 2008, and Downbeat recently placed him in their Top 10 of rising star male jazz singers. And that's without a physical US release.
It's been a bumpy ride but the correct alignment of forces have definitely helped further his journey from Prince's hometown of Minneapolis. José grew up around music. His mother is of Irish descent and is a music loving child of the hippy era. His father is Panamanian and a working musician. At High School, while he rocked Tribe Called Quest's 'Midnight Marauders' he discovered Duke Ellington - "those dark, early, Cotton Club recordings". Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker followed - he snapped up that lavish Mosaic box set of Nat King Cole before turning to Mingus and Monk. José was that kid who walked around singing horn parts. And then, to top it all he discovered John Coltrane: "When I heard 'Equinox' I was transported... that's when I seriously started writing lyrics... man, I must have heard that tune two thousand times!"
He was initiated into the post Black Arts movement of the late Sixties by poet, educator and activist of African and Native American heritage, Louis Alemayehu. Through his involvement in Ancestor Energy - Alemayehu's award winning spoken word and jazz ensemble -- the young singer gained a deeper insight into what the Art Ensemble of Chicago defined as Great Black Music: "It was heavy! They changed my whole conception of music."
In 2000, as with generations of jazz musicians before him, José opted to try and make it in New York City. It was a totally disheartening experience. Unable to make those vital connections and confronted with the sheer lack of interest his passion for singing evaporated. For three whole years he abstained and channeled his creative juices into writing. Even his girl friend had no idea of his vocal skills. In fact, it was only when they moved back to Minneapolis and José started collaborating with his mentor and former high school teacher, Dennis Malmberg, that she heard him sing. She flipped!
Once back in NYC she urged José to get back on track. In 2004, he participated in the Thelonious Monk International Vocal Competition and then successfully applied for a partial scholarship to the prestigious New School For Jazz & Contemporary Music.
He followed up the Thelonious Monk competition by entering the London Jazz Competition 2006 "The judges didn't dig it!" shrugs José as he reflected on his performances at the Vortex and the Cadogan Hall. Disappointed but far from disillusioned the jazz singer put his time left in London to good use. Armed with an EP of demos, including a blazing vocal cut of John Coltrane's 'Equinox' and a self penned song aptly called 'The Dreamer', he did the rounds of the city's more radical club sessions. At Cargo he managed to slip a copy of the EP to Radio 1 Worldwide DJ and Brownswood label boss, Gilles Peterson. The rest is history.
What Artists and Critics are Saying:
"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
"Just when you think that real voices are gone and replaced by synthesized vocoders or perfectly melodined melodies, comes a real voice. A voice who's texture, tone and timbre seem to trace the history of real jazz greats. A voice that when you hear it, you know that's what defines the word voice. Ladies and Gents José James" - King Britt
"José James is the real deal! He has the voice, poise, charisma, and stage presence. All the ingredients... making him the most exciting singer I've heard in a long time!!" - Junior Mance
"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 (read less)