James Robinson is an American vocalist, songwriter, producer and musician from Memphis, Tennessee. His music reflects a catalog of musical influences ranging from experimental jazz and soul, to funk, rock, and hip hop.  

 

After graduating from high school, James received a full music scholarship to the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. While studying as a music education major there, he began performing & recording locally around the Memphis area. He was first featured on (Justin Timberlake) signee FreeSol's album, 11:11. 

 

Upon relocating to Austin, James made a name for himself on the local scene there performing with bands such as Temple Underground and The Bells of Joy. Notably the lead vocalist with jazz fusion bands lead by Grammy award winning musicians Bobby Sparks and Brannen Temple.

 

He's collaborated with jazz trumpeter Hannibal Lokumbe (Healing Tones Jazz Workshop) & dancer Chandra Washington (Sun Ra Arkestra). 

 

He has performed at the Ronnie Scotts Jazz in London, New Morning Paris in France, Bix Jazz Club in Stuttgart, Jasmine Club in Warsaw Poland, Stadtgarten in Cologne, Jasshaus in Freiburg, Like A Jazz Machine Festival in Luxumberg, Cafe Hahn in Koblenz Denmark, Unterfahrt in Munich, Kunst Werk in Arnsberg, the Leverkusener Jazzstage in Germany, Mood Indigo Festival in Mumbai India, Bajo Circuito in Mexico City, The Granada Theater in Dallas TX, Warehouse Live & Rockefeller's in Houston TX, the Orpheum Theatre and New Daisy of Memphis, the legendary Bitter End and Rockwood Music Hall in NYC, The Black Cat Jazz Club in San Francisco, and premier venues & concert halls in Austin TX including the Continental Club, Stubbs, Antone’s, ACL Moody Theater, Bass Concert Hall, Armadillo World Headquarters, and The Long Center.

 

Notably, James opened for Dwele, Bobby Blue Bland, Bobby Rush, Living Color, Marc Broussard, Blue October & The Yellow Jackets.

 

James' lush vocals and songwriting have been featured on albums by BLK ODYSSY (Black Vintage), Bobby Sparks (Schizophrenia), JaRon Marshall (Black Power Mixtape: Vol. 1), Eric Johnson (EJ), Jennifer Warnes ("Another Time, Another Place"), Brannen Temple (New Dawn).

 

In December of 2021 James was one of twenty Austin TX local artist nominated & awarded the $12K music grant by Black Fret, now known as Sonic Guild.

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James is a deeply experienced music event creator and promoter having worked as a programmer creating, organizing and executing events for nonprofit organization, Diverse Arts, Austin, TX and for Supper and Sound Listening Room Events, LLC.