José James: Five Notable Collaborations

November 2, 2020 | by SFJAZZ

One of our favorite recent concerts was José James' 80th birthday tribute performance honoring the legendary singer and songwriter Bill Withers in June 2019 as part of the San Francisco Jazz Festival, and we feature that show on this week's Fridays at Five streaming concert. The Withers project is only one facet of James' diverse career, and we take a look at five notable collaborations featuring the jazz and R&B crossover star.

1. Takuya Kuroda "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" (feat. José James)

The Japanese-born Takuya Kuroda emerged as a featured artist with José James, who would produce the trumpeter's debut album Rising Son on Blue Note Records in 2014. The two collaborated on an smile-inducing cover of Roy Ayers' classic "Everybody Loves The Sunshine."

2. Kris Bowers - "Ways of Light" (feat. José James)

2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition winner Kris Bowers performed early on with James and appeared on James 2014 neo-soul release While You Were Sleeping. He branched out on his own after releasing his debut album Heroes + Misfits in 2014. Of course, Bowers got James on the album, collaborating on the contemplative "Ways of Light."

3. José James & Flying Lotus - "Visions of Violet"

Flying Lotus is a pioneer of electronic music. The nephew of Alice Coltrane, FlyLo grew up with jazz, and has since lifted the genre up with his L.A.-based record label BRAINFEEDER (see: Kamasi Washington, Kneedelus, Thundercat, Austin Peralta). Given how open José James is to all genres, this collab with Flying Lotus feels as natural as it sounds.

4. Richard Spaven - "Maz" (feat. José James)

A core band member of José James' band as he rose to prominence, U.K. drummer Richard Spaven is also revered for his own work as a bandleader, session player, producer and composer. Spaven's debut release 5ive's EP in 2010 is an early realization of his musical vision interweaving jazz with hip hop and beat music, and features José James on "Maz."

MOSCOT Music - Live from the Shop with José James

Okay, this collaboration isn't actually with another artist, rather with MOSCOT Eyewear. But we all know José James is always looking fresh, especially in the eyewear, and this particular video gives a taste of his  Bill Withers project.

Originally posted October 2, 2017