José James— No Beginning, No End

From the moment 33-year-old singer José James stepped onto the national music scene four years ago, he created a stir. His outward style and aesthetic clearly labeled him a child of hip hop, but what came out of him musically was an unexpected, robust and mellifluous new voice of modern jazz.

So jarring was this confluence of inward-outward styles, that in no time, he had hip hop and jazz lovers alike trying to peek behind the curtain to see what this new prodigy was all about. Today, James performs all over the world with some of the most respected musicians, artists and producers on the contemporary music scene.

In 2008, he debuted with his first album, The Dreamer, on the Bronswood label. Blackmagic followed in 2010, and shortly after, also in 2010, For All We Know, a collaboration with Jeff Neve. For All We Know became the winner of both the Edison Award and L’Académie du Jazz Grand Prix for best Vocal Jazz Album of 2010.

As a featured guest José James has recorded albums with Junior Mance, Chico Hamilton, Nicola Conte, Bassment Jaxx, Jazzanova, Toshio Matsuura, J.A.M., DJ Mitsu the Beats, Timo Lassy, Taylor McFerrin and Flying Lotus.

James has toured internationally at venues such as the Umbria, Nice, and North sea Jazz Festivals, Billbard Live Tokyo, Ancienne Belgique, Centro Cultural Sao Paolo, Lincoln Center, Central Park Summerstage and London’s Royal Festival Hall.

James recently has made his way to Brooklyn, and will be giving a rare, free outdoor performance, along with Amy Lacour and Saunders Sermons this Sunday, May 15, 2:00 pm, at the Weeksville Heritage Center, in conjunction with the 12th Annual Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival.

As a preview to that performance, José James has granted BSP an exclusive interview:

BSP: So, how’s Brooklyn treating you so far?

JJ: I just moved back here from London, to Park Slope. I love Brooklyn. Brooklyn is the cultural capital of the world. And this where my family is. All the musicians I know live in Brooklyn. It’s just a beautiful environment for a young artist to be in.

BSP: What have you been doing to keep yourself busy these days?

JJ: I just finished a session with this amazing musician, Suphala, who plays the tablas (an Indian percussion). I’m also working on my next album, No Beginning, No End, which I’m hoping to release by Spring 2112.

BSP: What’s special to you about your latest album?

JJ: Well, my last album, Black Magic used a lot of producers. That was cool. I learned a lot. But my next one is a return to working with live bands like my first album, Dreamer. I’m really taking my time with it. I’ve written all of the songs, but as far as the sessions, I still need to plan, because I want to do a few sessions here and a few in London.

There’s a certain vibe you get from working with a live band. I really like that as a jazz artist. I like working with people in the moment. There’s something about working with a live band in that there has to be some sort of magic. But if you’re able to make that magic happen, there’s nothing else like it. I want to get back to the more humanness; I want people to feel like they’re in the studio with me, you know what I mean?

BSP: What inspires your writing? How do you master your art?

JJ: I have a technique I use to keep every thing going: I always have ten journals with me. So much of what we do as musician involves waiting for a connecting flight. So I’ll just write or draw all the time. I’m always writing poems or lyrics and ideas and dreaming. Whenever I try to push myself to be creative, it’s always terrible, it always sounds contrived. So I just wait for it to come from a divine source. Thankfully it all comes out on a regular, so I know this is what I am meant to be doing. If it weren’t and I had to force it, I’d know I’m supposed to be doing something else.

BSP: Be your own P.R. person right now for a minute and describe to me, who is Jose James, the artist?

JJ: I’m Jose James. There’s no one else. I can’t describe myself or what I do. As a jazz artist, I really want to not be constrained. And it’s a difficult thing. I really try not to describe anything that I do at all.

I like to keep things classy, just in general. I like to make sure it’s about respecting people, respecting women, respecting each other. I’m definitely a part of all that. But I’ve definitely confused a lot of people. All three of my albums are completely different. One week, I’ll be in a club wearing a fitted Yankees hats. Three weeks later, I’ll be at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis. But I like it. I know the industry finds it frustrating. But I find it fascinating.

BSP: You have said before that you feel Americans tend to compartmentalize music, unlike in Europe, where you say artists can be free and are appreciated for being themselves. Why do you feel we have become so closed, as far as music?

JJ: Basically, there’s a lot more state and government funding of the arts abroad. When there’s more money, there’s more choices; less money, there’s less choices. Big corporate sponsors in America change the social landscape of the arts.

I’m not saying corporate money is all bad. But when the majority of the funding is coming from one or two sources like it does in America, it’s going to change what gets promoted. And it goes beyond just music, it also has an impact as far as women and body types and how they are portrayed as well.

BSP: So what are your recommendations for the must-have CDs, books, DVDs that everyone should check out?

JJ: As far as producers, I like Kanye West a lot; My favorite record of last year was Madlib’s instrumental with Strong Arm Steady. I’m listening to more instrumental Hip Hop right now; As far as books, I just finished re-reading “Specimen Days,” by Michael Cunningham. I love that book. He really gets New York. He writes about New York in a way that feels so authentic; Corine Bailey Raye’s last album, Sea, is like the finest songwriting of anybody in my generation. And that album has not left my playlist since it came out; As far as movies, The Bill Withers documentary, that was really interesting.

BSP: Okay, now for a little fun, I’m going to give you two choices, and you have just two seconds to choose one … Converse or Addidas?

JJ: Converse

BSP: Fox News or MSNBC?

JJ: (chuckles) MSNBC

BSP: Falafel or hamburger?

JJ: Falafel

BSP: Lips or eyes?

JJ: Lips

BSP: Mayo, mustard or catsup?

JJ: Mustard

BSP: Vanilla or chocolate?

JJ: Definitely chocolate

BSP: Dress pants or sweatpants?

JJ: Dress pants

BSP: Mac or PC?

JJ: Mac