I have always been surprised by trumpeter Erik Truffaz. For years, the Franco-Swiss trumpeter has sounded like some specific pocket of the future, continually dazzling listeners around the world, never fearing touches of the electronic and its spectacle but never going over the top. He has a sense of the organic that is always a delight. The same could be said for his upcoming … [Read more...]
José James Returns September 28 With Bill Withers Tribute ‘Lean On Me’
Vocalist José James is back with a new album on September 28th entitled Lean On Me, a heartfelt and honest twelve song tribute to the legendary Bill Withers in honor of his 80th birthday year. What began as a touring project in 2017 evolved into a full-length release produced by Blue Note president Don Was and recorded in Capitol's legendary Studio B with a dream team band: … [Read more...]
Jose James – “Always There” (Video)
Singer José James is changing tack. James has always had every ingredient of soul in his sound, so for him to embrace R&B in his upcoming album, Love in a Time of Madness isn't too far-fetched a notion. For example, check out the video for the first single, "Always There". José James is large; he contains multitudes; he wants to dance. Check it out after the jump.Love … [Read more...]
Jose James’ ‘Yesterday I Had the Blues’ Out This Spring
Coming after Jose James' recent albums, While You Were Sleeping, No Beginning, No End, and Black Magic, with explorations into rock, electronic, R&B, soul, and funk in addition to his jazz roots, James' new project Yesterday I Had The Blues might seem like a departure. In fact, he's returning to those jazz roots here - check out James' versions of some John Coltrane tunes from … [Read more...]
Blue Note Now (NYC Winter Jazzfest) – January 8, 2015
NYC Winter Jazzfest is on, and one of the shows you wish you could catch (assuming that you, like me, won’t be in NYC to catch the shows in person) is being billed as Blue Note Now. Robert Glasper trio, Kendrick Scott Oracle, and Jose James, tonight (January 8) at Le Poisson Rouge… but thanks to the magic of the internet, you can (and probably should) tune in to a live video … [Read more...]