Moving to New York City to attend The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, he was mentored by and recorded with both the legendary drummer Chico Hamilton and the pianist Junior Mance. There he also met his first ensemble that would form the studio and international touring band for his 2008 debut album “The Dreamer” (Jan 2008, Brownswood).
A chance meeting in London with international tastemaker and DJ Gilles Peterson led to a record deal on Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings label. Drawing upon diverse influences such as Freestyle Fellowship and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, “The Dreamer” was an international critical success, with José performing at venues such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, Billboard Live Tokyo, The Hermitage Museum, and Central Park Summerstage. “The Dreamer” was voted #21 Critic’s Pick of JazzTimes Top 50 Jazz Albums of 2008.
His sophomore release “BLACKMAGIC” (Feb 2010, Brownswood) explored the worldwide underground, featuring production from Flying Lotus, Moodymann, Taylor McFerrin, and DJ Mitsu the Beats. “BLACKMAGIC” also featured James’s live band in new territory, covering dubstep pioneer Benga’s “Emotions” and exploring a soul/hip-hop version of the R&B classic “Save Your Love For Me.” “BLACKMAGIC” toured in over 30 countries, at venues such as the Montreal Jazz Festival, Ancienne Belgique, Melkweg, and Lincoln Center. “Love Conversation” (produced by Taylor McFerrin), “Save Your Love for Me,” and “Desire” (from The Dreamer) were featured in Fox Searchlight Pictures 2010 “Our Family Wedding” starring Forest Whitaker, America Ferrera, Carlos Mencia, and Lance Gross.
Signing to Verve/Universal in 2010, James’s third studio album “For All We Know” (May 2010, Impulse!) was released on the legendary “Impulse!” label, home to many of John Coltrane’s masterworks. Largely recorded in a single day at the famed Galaxy Studios in Belguim, “For All We Know” is a deep and timeless duo album of jazz standards featuring Jef Neve on piano.
Winner of both the Edison Award and L’Académie du Jazz Grand Prix for best Vocal Jazz Album of 2010, “For All We Know” was James’s most intimate project to date, with performances in premiere concert halls such as L’Olympia, Royal Festival Hall, and De Roma, as well venues such as the Umbria Jazz Festival, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola and Cotton Club Tokyo.
The collaboration between James and Jef Neve continued with an ambitious ongoing live project “Facing East: The Music of John Coltrane.” Conceived and directed by James “Facing East” made its worldwide debut at Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, and continued on to venues such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, Nice Jazz Festival, New Morning, and Ronnie Scott’s.
As a featured guest José has recorded albums with Junior Mance, Chico Hamilton, Nicola Conte, Bassment Jaxx, Jazzanova, Toshio Matsuura, J.A.M., DJ Mitsu the Beats, Timo Lassy, Taylor McFerrin, and Flying Lotus.
Recent projects include guest performances with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s “A Tribute to Billy Strayhorn” at Rose Theater, as well as touring internationally with McCoy Tyner’s “The Music of John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman.”
He was recently voted 2011 DownBeat Critics Poll “Rising Star Best Male Vocalist” and is currently working on his fourth studio album “No Beginning, No End.”
http://josejamesmusic.com/
The Dreamer
José James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Into a world of possibilities
I saw a the dreamer raise his hands
Into a sky of light and love
I saw the dreamer raise his hands
Into a day of tomorrow
I saw the dreamer raise his hands
The Dreamer by José James is a powerful reminder of the importance of holding onto our dreams and never giving up on them. The lyrics describe the image of a dreamer raising his hands, symbolizing his willingness to embrace the unknown and to take risks in order to achieve his goals. The dreamer is not afraid to reach for the stars, as he believes that the future holds endless possibilities.
The song uses repetition to emphasize the importance of the dreamer's actions. By repeating the line "I saw the dreamer raise his hands" multiple times in the verse, the song emphasizes the impact that this action has on the dreamer's life. Additionally, the use of the word "raise" suggests the idea of lifting oneself up, or transcending limitations, which is further emphasized by the reference to "a sky of light and love".
The message of the song is one of hope and encouragement, and it serves as a reminder to always hold onto our dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem. By raising our hands and reaching for the future, we can overcome any obstacles that come our way and achieve greatness.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw the dreamer raise his hands
I witnessed someone who aspires to achieve something lift up their hands
Into a world of possibilities
This person is reaching towards a future that has many opportunities and options
Into a sky of light and love
This person is striving for a future that is filled with brightness and affection
Into a day of tomorrow
This person is looking towards a future day and hoping for something positive and bright to happen
Contributed by Katherine B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Fredrica Bre Hazel
His music sets my mind a bliss <3 Lights low , candle lite , jose in the background. Those jazz nights.
Robbie Boyd
This young man is comfortable in his voice! Gil Scott Heron would be happy to have heard you! Your sound stands alone in it's own space. Keep filling it with you. I just heard a review on the radio and the sound hangs out with peace and skill.
Tyler Forest
José James knows how to set up a mood, in these trouble times his velvet voice heals the inside...
Jay Fit Health & Wellness
WOW - - - Words Of Wisdom - - - Jose James is what truth is in heaven. When I die i feel like i will see him singing to me when Im on my way up to heaven. . . One of my favorite neo-soul/poetic-jazz musicians of all time. I'm telling people about this guy, Jose is making some real shit.
Terry E.
Thank you Jose!! Fantastic vocals! wow...
Alieux Casey
WOW- that was beautiful. More than beautiful. I have to hear this again. And again this morning. So smooth this is.
EagleForceNL
Amazing voice.......recognize him out of thousands voices......
RealisticChique
I love his smooth sound.
authentyx
Can it be any more beautiful than that ? The lyrical play against the trumpet's strokes........ it can't ! Wow !!
vilulfo
Would like to know the musicians on this album....it's harder to get in the US. Nice trumpet and the drummer has a unique style. Jose will be with us a long time....he is comfortable as a rag doll on stage - never gets flustered even when the power goes out on the piano. He is truly gifted and he sounds like Jose - no other voice like his...I would know him from first note.