Of The Irish and Panamian descent and being New-Yorker, Jose James blends soul, hip hop, and jazz. Even though his musical career was launched only last year, the singer soon caught the eye of the celebrated deejay and producer Gilles Peterson, whose Brownswood Recordings released James' much lauded debut, The Dreamer. Possessing a warm and rich baritone, reminiscent of artists of the caliber of Terry Callier, Andy Bey and Gil-Scott Heron, he has a special flair for the "groove" and shows deferential regard for the history. He found inspiration in John Coltrane, Marvin Gaye and Billy Holliday, whereas his debut album, mostly of originals, includes an arrangement of the legendary song Spirits Up Above by Rahsaan Roland Kirk. James has performed with a number of reputed musicians, such as Chico Hamilton, Nicola Conte, Junior Mance, Jazzanova and himself 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. His concert in Skopje will coincide with the release of his much awaited second album, Black Magic, another original and powerful blend of jazz, hip hop and blues. Frequently referred as a jazz singer for the hip hop generation, he is already regarded as the most important vocalist- newcomer on the jazz scene.
