Jazz Vocalist, Composer, Guitarist & Producer; Contemporary Jazz Musician

Live Event: $20,000 - $30,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

José James Biography

José James is a jazz vocalist, composer, guitarist and producer known for seamlessly blending contemporary jazz with hip-hop, soul, funk and R&B. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to a Panamanian father and Irish-American mother, James grew up surrounded by a wide spectrum of musical influences — from John Coltrane and Billie Holiday to Marvin Gaye and A Tribe Called Quest — that would later shape his genre-defying sound.

After studying at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, James emerged in the late 2000s as a bold new voice in modern jazz. His 2008 debut album, The Dreamer, introduced his warm baritone, intimate phrasing and forward-thinking production style. He quickly earned international acclaim for his ability to bridge traditional jazz vocals with contemporary urban grooves.

Over the years, James has built a diverse and ambitious catalog. Projects such as Blackmagic leaned into funk and hip-hop textures, while No Beginning No End expanded into soul and R&B territory. He has also paid tribute to iconic artists, including Yesterday I Had the Blues: The Music of Billie Holiday and Lean On Me, honoring Bill Withers. His 2023 release On & On celebrated the music of Erykah Badu, further showcasing his gift for reinterpretation.

In addition to his solo work, James is a sought-after collaborator, working with artists and producers across jazz and beyond. As the founder of his own label, Rainbow Blonde Records, he has championed creative independence and artist-driven production.

With a sound that is both timeless and contemporary, José James continues to redefine what modern jazz can be — honoring tradition while boldly pushing it into the future.

BOOK José James

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/06/2026.

José James Videos

José James - Do You Feel (Live at Levon Helm Studios)

José James - Do You Feel (Live at Levon Helm Studios)

José James - Do You Feel (Live at Levon Helm Studios).

  • How do I book José James to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like José James for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for José James, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for José James or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for José James

    Speaking fees for José James, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book José James are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire José James, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does José James speak about?

    José James is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Entertainment, Music
  • Where does José James travel from?

    José James generally travels from an undisclosed location, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is José James’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like José James for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book José James for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host José James or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

José James is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book José James for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. José James generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Harry Connick Jr., DOMi & JD Beck, Kolby Cooper, Austin Snell and Drew Parker. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling José James for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email
  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP