José James - Songbook

“I never heard anyone say that, and yeah, I know exactly what it means. It has to go in there, this has to be a song.” Every song has its own story, and we all think it’s a story we’ve heard before, but we haven’t. Songbook finds and captures these intriguing stories by pulling you into the process of writing and composing. Known for its pristine sound, cinematic 4k video, and eye for detail, Songbook live-captured episodes emphasize the paramount importance of quality. It addresses the on-the-spot elements of blending song and location at the right moment. Both the magical location and remarkable music interaction will get the attention they deserve. Simply because Songbook isn’t just a live music session, it lives. This episode of Songbook features eclectic R&B artist José James. Born in Minnesota in 1978, he relocated to New York City to study at the New School's Jazz and Contemporary Music program. His groovy but sweet music combines funky beats and basslines with simple yet poetic lyrics. Known for his beautiful baritone voice, James blurs the lines between jazz, soul, funk, and various other genres. Deemed "the jazz artist of the hip-hop generation", James has performed at numerous prestigious jazz festivals the world over. He co-founded independent record label Rainbow Blonde in 2018, cultivating a space for musical experimentation that allows the spirit of jazz to flourish. In this episode of Songbook, recorded in the Van Houtenkerk in Weesp, the Netherlands, José performs 'Saint James' from his 2020 album “No Beginning No End 2”, followed by 'For Trayvon', which has not yet been released.