José James Interview
José James has masterfully combined jazz, hip hop, soul and freestyle elements into his music, has propelled some of the most epic musical projects of the past few years and is poised to elevate genre-blending consciousness for many years to come. From covering Coltrane’s “Equinox” - which got the attention of worldwide musical tastemaker Gilles Peterson who later put out his first album, to re-inventing Freestyle Fellowship’s “Park Bench People” José James has carved a very special and much needed niche into musical culture worldwide.
Prior to José’s recent Los Angeles show, we had the distinct pleasure of speaking with him to touch base and get a more in-depth look at how he’s gotten to where he is, what this next steps will be and who he’s collaborating with musically, spiritually and wholeheartedly to get there. We rapped about his Panamanian percussive influence from his father, tried to pinpoint why experimental music is more abundant overseas as well as where he’s had some of his most memorable shows.
Watch out for José James + Taylor McFerrin in Jan 2012 with a Japan tour slated and then up next, José’s new album - set to drop in early 2012.
It was a pleasure and honor to chat with José and we are deeply grateful for his music and many infinite blessings he’s shared with us.
Preview Minty posts on José here, here, here and here. Yeah, we ♥ him.
KCRW: Aaron Byrd, Anthony Valadez, Jeremy Sole @ Zanzibar
José gettin’ it in!
José and his epic trumpet player, Takuya Kuroda
José’s amazing bassist, Solomon Dorsey
José & Takuya going off!
Peaceful melodies
Fan club shot!
-J Marie for The Mint Collective
