Photo: Janette Beckman
José James, the New-York-City-based composer, baritone singer, guitarist, and vocalist, will perform at the Payomet Performing Arts Center in North Truro on September 7. Known for blending contemporary jazz and hip-hop, James has been described as a jazz singer for the hip-hop generation. His twelfth album, 1978, was released this spring.
James was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1978, and the chrononymous album explores themes of personal intimacy and political commentary through an exquisite, uncompromising fusion of soul, hip-hop, jazz, and the brethren of those genres. His band includes guitarist Marcus Machado, keyboardist Chad Selph, bassist David Ginyard, drummer Jharis Yokley, and Latin conguero Pedrito Martinez. This tight-knit lineup underscores James’s commitment to his jazz roots and focus on live, organic collaboration. The album draws its strength from a balance of timelessness and personal reflection, connecting contemporary sensibilities with alternately traditional and burgeoning musical languages.
1978 possesses an inscrutable ambiance. It may remind a listener of Frank Sinatra’s In the Wee Small Hours, or Masterpieces by Ellington – the rich, late-night quietude, the nightcap, the record you put on when you get home after 1 a.m. on a Friday or Saturday night, too hot to sleep. But it also goes hard, moves your ass, and takes on social issues chin-first. Provincetown Magazine spoke with James about the album, the show, and the intersections of hip-hop and jazz, among other things.
Provincetown Magazine: How did you get the feeling or vibe of your new album, 1978?
José James: Honestly, a lot of the album was done at night – those sessions tended to drift toward midnight. I recorded at Dreamland Studios near Woodstock and everyone can live in the studio houses during the session. So it was literally ‘round the clock music, which I love.
PM: Why don’t hip-hop and jazz get together more often?
JJ: I think that they do but the combinations are more subtle post-Digable [Planets] and ATCQ [A Tribe Called Quest]. There’s a whole generation of jazz players like myself, Robert Glasper, and Chief Adjuah who have hip-hop in our blood but play jazz. And now there’s a new generation of rappers like Kendrick Lamar; Tyler, the Creator; and Earl Sweatshirt who have that fierce jazz creative spirit. It’s everywhere if you know where to look.
PM: Who were your influences and models as a young musician?
JJ: Well, I’m from Minneapolis so Prince was huge for me. Michael Jackson of course. I loved Nirvana, Ice Cube, Digable Planets, and ATCQ. Then I discovered jazz at 14 and it was Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Duke, Miles, and Bird [Charlie Parker]. Then I discovered Al Green and Marvin Gaye, who I adore. I’m still digesting all of their collective work!
PM: Does it feel to you like jazz is having a resurgence?
JJ: Most definitely. I mean Jon Batiste just won the Grammy for Best Album and there are huge audiences worldwide for artists like myself, Gregory Porter, Samara Joy, and Robert Glasper. The younger scene is thriving in NY, LA, London, and Tokyo. Cats want to play again and they are diving into new influences like Caribbean roots in the UK, and R&B in LA. This might be the most powerful time for jazz since the 1960s.
PM: In practical terms—aside from the most obvious associations—what is your definition of hip-hop, and how do you incorporate that into your music?
JJ:Well, hip-hop has the classic five elements: breaking, MCing, graffiti writing, DJing, and knowledge of self. I’m inspired by visual artists like Jean Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Cey Adams, as well as the photography of Janette Beckman who famously worked at Def Jam. I definitely have a hip-hop attitude toward music, meaning nothing is off-limits musically. There’s a confidence in hip-hop that I love, always striving to develop as a lyricist and as a person. To reach a higher self and to uplift my community.
PM: What can the audience expect from your show at the Payomet Performing Arts Center on September 7?
JJ: To be honest, 1978 is super fun. It’s like pulling out your uncle’s stash of disco clothes from the ‘70s and styling it for today for a club night. We dive into Bill Withers, Herbie Hancock, and Bobby Caldwell and it’s always a deep and powerful remembrance of the greats that came before us. Plus my band rocks, I always have the most brilliant players in my squad.
PM: What is next for you?
JJ: Right now I’m recording my follow-up album called 1978: Revenge of the Dragon which explores 70s kung-fu films and of course funk and disco. We also just wrapped an accompanying short kung-fu film that pays homage to the incredible 70s martial arts culture and the intersection between that and funk and jazz. I wrote the screenplay and star in it, I think my fans are going to be blown away.
José James performs at Payomet Performing Arts Center, 29 Old Dewline Rd., North Truro, on Saturday, September 7, 7 p.m. For tickets ($35-$55) and information call 508.349.2929 or visit payomet.org.
—G.W. Mercure
