Ep 459- Jazz Superstar Jose James Talks His New Album, Single, & Tour!

Described by The New York Times as "the result of the black-pop continuum, slow-cooked for more than 50 years," José James has built a career blending jazz, soul, hip-hop, and R&B into a contagious mix of music for "party and politics."  On May 16th, he’ll release his most ambitious album yet, 1978: Revenge Of The Dragon—a bold, genre-bending project shaped by his deep study of Kung Fu and QiGong and inspired by the cultural landscape of his 1978 birth year. Recorded live to tape in one take at Dreamland Studios, the album channels the grit of ’70s underground culture and the raw spirit of downtown NYC's Mudd Club, weaving original compositions with reimagined classics by The Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson! 1978: Revenge Of The Dragon dives into the cultural heartbeat of 1978, celebrating the era's two biggest obsessions: disco and kung fu cinema. Inspired by the double-feature screenings that brought Black audiences together to find heroes and express complex emotions, José taps into the spirit of Bruce Lee and the golden age of blaxploitation and martial arts films. The album isn't just a musical statement—it's a love letter to the cultural crosscurrents that shaped a generation, blending the improvisational spark of jazz with the cinematic flair of kung fu's power and discipline. It will also be packaged with a brand-new kung fu short film directed by José and starring him and his bandmates. José conceived the album while living in Pasadena, drawing inspiration from the city’s vibrant cultural landscape. This project marks a new creative peak for José – not just musically, but personally. With his signature silky-yet-commanding voice, José brings a sense of discipline and explosive energy to the record, reflecting how martial arts philosophy has transformed his artistry. From his early days on Blue Note to his independent journey with Rainbow Blonde Records, José has continually redefined the boundaries of modern jazz and soul. José just released his 2nd single off the album, “Rock With You (feat. Takuya Kuroda)!” Trust me, this is a must listen! Grab tickets to a show, stream the music, and get ready for THE DRAGON! Follow Josè on IG- @josejamesmusic.com or at his website www.josejamesmusic.com _______________________________________________________________ Check out "The Roundtable with Robert Bannon" here on BPN on the daily, on YouTube, Broadway World, and on social media! Like, comment, share, & subscribe! For more info on Robert- www.RobertBannon.com Follow Him on IG- @RobertMBannon TikTok-@RobertMBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices