José James

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = José James

| image = Jose%20James%20at%20Binuu%20(29405504927).jpg

| caption = José James 2016 in Berlin, Germany

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=y|1978|1|20}}

| birth_place = Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

| genre = Jazz, hip hop, neo soul

| occupation = Musician, composer, bandleader

| instrument = Vocals, guitar

| label = Brownswood, Blue Note, Rainbow Blonde

| website = {{URL|josejamesmusic.com}}

}}

José James (born January 20, 1978) is an American composer, baritone singer, guitar player and vocalist who combines contemporary jazz and hip hop.

Biography

José James, of Irish and Panamanian descent,{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/fr/artist/1046293|title=José James Discography |website=Discogs.com|access-date=April 7, 2024}} attended The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. In 2008, he debuted with his first album, The Dreamer, achieving much success after DJ Gilles Peterson signed him to his new independent label Brownswood Recordings.[http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958228/jose-james-jef-neve-rekindle-jazz-flame Jose James, Jef Neve Rekindle Jazz Flame]. Billboard. Retrieved on 2013-01-31.[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jos-james-p713214/discography José James – Music Biography, Credits and Discography]. AllMusic. Retrieved on 2013-01-31. His second album Blackmagic followed in 2009. And in the following year, the album For All We Know came out on the Impulse! label.{{Cite web|url=https://www.josejamesmusic.com/bio|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323045225/http://www.josejamesmusic.com/bio|url-status=dead|title=José James - Bio|archivedate=March 23, 2011|website=Josejames.music.com|access-date=April 7, 2024}} For All We Know became the winner of both the Edison Award and the Académie du Jazz Grand Prix for best Vocal Jazz Album of 2010.[http://www.edisonaward.nl/jazz/nieuws/winnaars-edison-jazzworld-bekend Winnaars Edison Jazz/World bekend | Edison – de oudste muziekprijs van Nederland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112160420/http://www.edisonaward.nl/jazz/nieuws/winnaars-edison-jazzworld-bekend |date=January 12, 2018 }}. Edisonaward.nl. Retrieved on 2013-01-31.

James has presented his work at venues such as The Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl, Ancienne Belgique and Billboard Live Tokyo. He has performed as a guest artist with McCoy Tyner, Laura Mvula and the Jazz at Lincoln Center, Melbourne Symphony and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam.{{Cite web|url=https://www.josejamesmusic.com/bio|title=José James - Bio|website=Josejames.music.com|access-date=April 7, 2024}}

His latest project is called On & On - José James sings Badu, which was performed at Millennium stage on 22 October 2022 with his current band, composed of five young musicians.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x-8do1sUys|title=On & On: José James Sings Badu - Millennium Stage (October 22, 2022)|date=October 22, 2022 |via=YouTube|access-date=April 7, 2024}} The Millennium stage is located at The Kennedy Center, which holds some of Washington, D.C.'s most important musical performances and plays.

Personal life

José James is married to Talia Pnina Billig, known professionally as Taali, who is a Grammy Award–nominated singer, songwriter and record producer.{{cite web| title = The New Jazz Man: José James| last = Brown| first = Emma| date = 14 December 2012| website = Interview}}