On & On: José James Sings Badu - Millennium Stage (October 22, 2022)

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Live Tonight on Millennium Stage: When José James released No Beginning No End 2 (2020), a collaborative effort that paired the forward-looking vocalist with a global all-star cast including Ledisi, Aloe Blacc, and Laura Mvula, it was apparent that the genre-defying artist was back to stake his claim as the jazz singer for the hip-hop generation. In that light his new project, On & On: José James Sings Badu finds James throwing down the gauntlet on the past 100 years of jazz singing while charting a path forward for the culture.
“It’s simple,” James explains. “Jazz singing has always been about interpreting the highest level of standards of your time. And for my generation, Erykah Badu has been one of the most innovative and incisive songwriters. Her work has proven to be groundbreaking in a social, musical and artistic sense.”
The album, produced by James with contributions from like-minded musicians Big Yuki (A Tribe Called Quest), Ben Williams (Kamasi Washington) and Jharis Yokley (My Brightest Diamond) investigates the breadth of Badu’s iconic catalog, from her groundbreaking debut album Baduizm to her contemporary masterpieces New Amerykah Pt. 1 and 2.
But make no mistake: this is thoroughly a jazz album. Conceived in the spirit of Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters, James artfully draws upon his experiences with modern masters McCoy Tyner, Robert Glasper, and Flying Lotus to create a new sonic landscape through an improvisatory lens.
James also builds on his reputation as a modern jazz tastemaker by introducing featured horn players Ebban Dorsey and Diana Dzhabbar. “As an artist and performer Badu has consistently created opportunities for young artists both on and off her stage,” James explains. “It only made sense to include the next generation.”

[@marciagibson6443]

This man is phenomenal!!! I have been following him for years and he never disappoints!! His voice is so rich and multi-layered. I'm always waiting to see what he will do next because I know he will be good! Love you Jose James!!

[@LiberatedMuseOnline]

Jose James’ voice is a treasure

[@rodneyabrownuwriter4912]

Amen/Awoman

[@marthacargo9535]

He just played two nights at our spot in Baltimore last weekend - Keystone Korner. Magical performances.

[@stellademattei5361]

Que privilegio el tuyo! Si vendría a Buenos Aires...🙏

[@sanfordedwards3580]

Haven't heard a cover quite so elegant ever. Beautiful

[@eai1911]

The young lady on alto is only 19. Incredible!

[@eggedon6112]

What? She's amazing!

[@bclpraisezone]

She’s A Jewel!!❤️

[@shanesylvester8321]

I think that's ebban dorsey on saxophone.

[@Mauriciovideomaker]

She will be for sure…

[@kimnalle9927]

José James is the best!👏🏾👏🏾

[@biafiaslemon9219]

If I could like this 1000 times!!! 🥰🥰🥰

[@harviebone]

The legend building of and by José James continues.

[@magfraixburnet-kx1ry]

Une merveille, un éblouissement, un quatuor de musiciens géniaux. Tout est parfait.

[@cynthiabradley4505]

Late to José James Party. So glad I'm hip now. He is my new fav! Call us by our name. . .

[@JazzyRitaShelby]

Just finding out about this guy but loving him the most! I'm now a fan.

[@dawnmarie3775]

I thoroughly enjoyed this performance. What an amazing group of musicians. I pray I get to see Jose James perform live very soon! Bravo!

[@MC-dk7tr]

THANK YOU FOR THIS! Been a JJ fan since jump! ☺️

[@rafaelsantana6882]

Such amazing gift Jose James .. tks

[@maristelaromero3420]

Lindo de ouvir, ele é maravilhoso!!!✌🏾✌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾❤❤❤❤❤

[@seixid]

Heard them recently in Cologne, Germany. Fantastic.❤

[@GloriaHoliday]

Beautiful...Erykah must be so proud

[@LydgiaOfHarlem]

Love this tribute.

[@Lifeofchance]

Mr james is one of the most talented singers of this generation…Period!

[@sharkslovejazzfunk1]

Excelent work and tribute to Eryka Badu.

[@cynthiaobryant6001]

I'm loving' this! Great Job - Next Generation Jazz - Sounding real good :)

[@thomaspethic6220]

Beautiful...

[@wepurgetildawn]

Happy I found this at 12 in the morning

[@AdamONeill]

Giles Peterson introduced me to Jose James in London back in 2008 and I've loved his originals and covers through every twist and turn of the last 14 years. Especially the singing bowl beginnings, reminds me of the Coltrane tribute. A beautiful tribute to Erica Badu - share the love my man!

[@bclpraisezone]

Dat man on the piano is Syck!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@roharatube]

Happy belated birthday.

[@dawnoei1782]

Gorgeous.

[@VIBIN15868]

I luv this man

[@krwsf]

So excited to see this! KC it would be great to list the musicians names in your write.

[@Lalalou808]

Wonderful.

[@TeresaSierra-iv8up]

Blows my mind

[@stivnjumen]

i love begining ... beninging ... beginging

[@user-gm3nw3ho6k]

greatttttt

[@elisenierlich1923]

I very like your music

[@jorwessYT]

Que maravilla!♥️🇦🇷

[@arganite3960]

Solido 👌💚❤

[@Newfoundmike]

Jazz. Start on a good note end on a good note 😉. His voice has Great Timbre .

[@are0173]

Woooo booiii flipped that 👏🏽 👏🏽 👏🏽

[@HectorMartinez-wj8ub]

Great stuff

[@miroslavfejt3483]

35:50 Gone Baby, Dont Be Long

[@samthorpe_]

36:00 and 41:00 bass bits

[@Jncash]

Hearing this and the various musical instruments (including the human voice) makes me think they might have been influenced by Pharoah Sanders (RIP). They did an excellent job. Tribute to Erika

[@jabbasnutsack]

Show starts at 2:25

[@msscstllns]

19:33

[@mariastamova2646]

Desild check your hearing!!!

[@mayasmith8067]

Music is great just trying to figure out the whole monk, robe dreads vibe.

[@lunganibiyela1690]

This was cute, but it desperately needed some powerful background vocals for it to actually slap!

[@zearrocks]

how 'bout naming the other musicians...

[@celinalopez6937]

Drums - Jharis Yokley Pianist- Julius Rodriguez Saxophonist - Ebban Dorsey Bassist - Ben Williams All phenomenal musicians as well🫶

[@eai1911]

Lineup is noted at the 47:25 mark of the set.

[@eggedon6112]

@@celinalopez6937 Wow! 😊

[@rootsAlkebu]

And at 7:00

[@johanessaragih1044]

The drum is a little bit noisy

[@0329mstanley]

The drummer is fire!!

[@moniquebrooksroberts112]

He’s killin!

[@desild5869]

I 100% honestly don't understand this music at all. It feels disjointed, unrehearsed, like everything is improvised on the spot, badly. It's like listening to a band of 5th graders and you need all the indulgence in the world to find it at least endearing. I just don't get why this is a thing. After 5 minutes I'm exhausted.

[@sandrawoodworth8391]

Not for you, that's true

[@rootsAlkebu]

I’m not a fan either. Just tried something with him singing with noordpool orkest & it sucks. Beautiful voice though.