José James, a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, producer is a three-time Minnesota Hall of Fame inductee as a member of Willie & The Bees, Shangoya, Ipso Facto, and was voted Best Brass/Reed Artist at the Minnesota Music Awards in 1994. His music has been featured in movies and Television shows like Exiled, Jessica Simpson’s The Price Of, Daddy’s Girl, Human Giant, Things to Try Before You Die and Caribbean Carnival.

He began playing the Alto Saxophone at age 12, and at 14 was playing in his first “Combo” The Scepters. While studying music theory and classical flute at the Conservatory of Music, he was asked to be the opening act for “The Hardest Working man in Show Business” James Brown.

Following the advice of saxophonist Lou Donaldson, he moved to the United States where he played and studied at the University of Minnesota with Eddie Daniels, Bob Brookmeyer, Art Pepper, with the Jazz Ensemble directed by Dr. Frank Bencriscutto, later touring with Clark Terry ending with a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

José started his solo career opening shows for stand-up comics like Jimmy Walker, Nipsey Russell, George Wallace, Larry Miller, performing with Paul Williams, Doc Severinsen, Bonnie Raitt, Rubén Blades, Prince, Alexander O’Neal, Tracy Chapman and touring with The Bernard Allison Group, Syl Johnson, Ipso Facto and UB40.

He has released 7 CDs of various genres, the latest is “Heart Beat” a Contemporary Jazz, Latin, Pop & R&B. He continues to perform for audiences around the world with his group and with other Artists.