Artistic freedom. Creativity without limits. Music beyond all genres. And a voice that defines an entire generation. José James, who has received much acclaim in the past for his heartfelt tributes to Billie Holiday, John Coltrane or Bill Withers, is now celebrating a decade as a global musician with his Independence Tour. Growing up with HipHop and soul, he has always been drawn to jazz. From early discovery by trendsetter producer and DJ Gilles Peterson, to his signing by the legendary Blue Note label, José James has released eight albums covering the best of jazz, pop, HipHop and RnB. Now signed to his own newly formed label collective Rainbow Blonde Records he is taking his music to new heights of expression with his ninth studio album 'No Beginning No End 2' (2020). "I celebrate my artistic freedom and I want to invite the world to do the same," says James.
A jazz artist for the hip-hop generation, José James artfully blurs the lines between traditional and contemporary jazz, hip-hop, soul, funk, pop and rock. He has released 11 critically-acclaimed albums in as many years for labels such as Brownswood, Impulse, Blue Note and his own co-founded Rainbow Blonde Records, and is the recipient of both the Edison Award and L'Académie du Jazz Grand Prix. James has collaborated with many notable artists such as Flying Lotus, Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Aloe Blacc and Jason Moran.
A celebrated international performer, James has presented his work at venues such as The Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl, Ancienne Belgique and Billboard Live Tokyo, and has performed as a guest artist with McCoy Tyner, Laura Mvula and the Jazz at Lincoln Center, Melbourne Symphony and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestras.