Lean On Me: José James Celebrates Bill Withers @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley | May 14th-16th, 2018

Lean On Me: José James Celebrates Bill Withers
MAY 14 – 16, 2018

FROM: The Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley
2033 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98121
RE: Performance at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley
SHOW ADMISSION: $30.50 (includes $6.00 service fee)

91.3 KBCS and the Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley welcomes a deep and soulful young vocalist who traverses jazz, R&B, Moroccan Gnawa music, hip-hop and gospel. On tour in support of his new Blue Note release Lean On Me, join us for a celebration of the music of iconic soul singer and composer Bill Withers. Band members are José James (vocals, guitar), Sullivan Fortner (piano/Fender Rhodes), Brad Allen Williams (guitars), Ben Williams (basses), and Nate Smith (drums). Show times Monday through Wednesday at 7:30pm. Doors open at 6:00pm each night.

A deep and soulful young vocalist whose international profile has exploded in the last few years, José James has transcended his reputation as a jazz singer to embrace influences including R&B, Moroccan Gnawa music, hip-hop and gospel. On the heels of 2015’s beguiling Billie Holiday centennial tribute Yesterday I Had the Blues and the electro-pop of this year’s Love in a Time of Madness, James returns with music from his new Blue Note release Lean On Me, a celebration of the music of iconic soul singer and composer Bill Withers.

James’s flexibility and omnivorous musical taste is reflected in his hugely diverse résumé, which includes work with jazz great Chico Hamilton as well as electronica hero Flying Lotus. A project blessed by Withers himself, Lean On Me: José James celebrates Bill Withers offers James’ reverent-yet-expansive takes on the soul legend’s enduring classics including “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Use Me,” and “Just the Two of Us,” backed by a stellar band including guitarist Brad Allen Williams (Cory Henry, CeCe Winans), keyboardist Sullivan Fortner (Donald Harrison, Etienne Charles), bassist Ben Williams (Pat Metheny, Stefon Harris), and drummer Nate Smith (Dave Holland, Chris Potter).