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 and Ipso Facto. 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 was voted Best Brass/Reed Artist at the Minnesota Music Awards in 1994.

He began playing the Alto Saxophone at age 12, and at 14 was playing in his first “Combo” The Scepters. At 17 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, with whom he made numerous stage appearances, he moved to the United States to attend the University of Minnesota studying composition and playing with the Jazz Ensemble directed by Dr. Frank Bencriscutto, highlighted with a tour featuring guest trumpeter Clark Terry and a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

José started his solo career performing and making stage appearances with James Brown, Jimmy Walker, Nipsey Russell, George Wallace, Larry Miller, Paul Williams, Doc Severinsen, Eddie Daniels, Bob Brookmeyer, Art Pepper, Bonnie Raitt, Rubén Blades, Ipso Facto, Alexander O’Neal, Tracy Chapman, Bernard Allison, Syl Johnson, Peter Frampton, Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, UB40, and Prince to name a few.

He has released 7 CDs representing various genres, Latin, Pop, R&B, Rock, Contemporary Jazz and continues to perform in front of audiences around the world.