aaamusic | On 26, Aug 2010

Jazz’s ‘real deal’ captures a moment, and reinvigorates the iconic Impulse label

Seduced by his warm smokey baritone, deeply soulful take on the jazz tradition, his dashing demeanor and sharp sense of style, Jose James has long been a favorite of hip audiences young and old.  Since his 2008 debut recording on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label, The Dreamer, he has lived up to the media hype who have declared him “the real deal”, and “the sort of singer we’ve been crying out for”.

Since then, James has made a name for himself on an international platform and his growing notoriety led him to work with a wide assortment of jazz, club and hip-hop acts, and his recording schedule taking in a variety of projects.   His forthcoming release, For All We Know is collaboration between Jose James and noted Belgian pianist Jef Neve, a sublime duo album of jazz standards; just voice and piano.

Like James, pianist Jef Neve has quickly established himself as one of jazz’s most exciting young talents, already an established figure in his homeland he’s released five best-selling albums that have won international acclaim.

James + Neve perform tracks from the album across two nights at Ronnie Scotts on September 15^th and 16^th.  Accompanied by a superb rhythm section, they deliver an eloquently spare, effortlessly expressive set, with vivid performances from James  lending new emotional depth to such beloved classics as  Tenderly, Body and Soul, Lush Life and Embraceable You.

For All We Know came together spontaneously after the pair performed together in Brussels.  They had the next day off, so went into the studio in the hope of capturing some of the amazing vibe evident when the two connected on stage.  They let the tape roll, no producer, no overdubs, and most of the songs were first takes.  The recordings found their way to the head honcho at the Verve Music Group, who immediately signed James and the recording to the Impulse,  astutely seeing an opportunity to reinvigorate the iconic label that has seen no new signings in over ten years.  The timing was perfect – the label begins its 50^th anniversary celebrations at the end of this year.   “Jose James is equal parts throwback and adventurer” says the head of A+R for the label, “which makes him the perfect artist to carry the Impulse label torch”.

The Jose James Quartet perform at Ronnie Scotts on 15^th and 16^th September

Ronnie Scotts, 47 Frith Street, Soho, W1

Reservations 020 7439 07471  //  www.ronniescotts.co.uk

‘For All We Know’ is released on Impulse on 13^th September 2010